Directions to Horseshoe Bend from Page, AZ
From Page, AZ drive south on Highway 89 to between mileposts 544 & 545. Look for the exit lane and on the west side of the road which you can drive a short distance on to the parking area.
Click for a pdf of the page area map
How to get to Page, AZ
Most people will start their journey from Las Vegas or Phoenix as part of a multi-day trip. Drive time for both these cities is between 4.5 and 5 hours. Roads can be extremely dark at night and requires extra vigilance. We highly recommend downloading the map onto your phone before you leave. Reception can be spotty for long stretches of the trip.
Page is also serviced by regional commuter flights through Contour Airlines. They have flights from Phoenix and Las Vegas starting at $29 each way. You can then rent a car from the only car rental business at the airport, Avis.
Daytrips to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
You can save money by renting a car and driving yourself to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon if you have more than two people, but solo travelers and maybe couples would probably want to at least take a look at a tour from Las Vegas.
The whole trip can be done in a day, with pick-up from your hotel, flight over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam,Vermillion Cliffs, then landing in Page, walking to Horseshoe Bend, taking a tour of Antelope Canyon. Flight back to Vegas and you’re in your hotel same night.
Definitely a solid option for solo travelers, couples, and people on a short time frame or don’t want to drive 9 hours r/t. Check out the tour here.
532 Responses
Hello. I really want to go to Arizona for my birthday in October 3rd. My main attractions that I would like to see are the Antelope and the horse shoe. What airport is close to those attractions? Also I wanted to visit the Grand Canyon but I know is far from antelope and I only have two days because of work. I would like to know what airport is closer and how is the drive? Thank you!
Hi Maritza,
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located near the town of Page, Arizona. Scheduled air service into the local airport is offered by Contour Airlines out of Phoenix, AZ. You might also consider flying into/out of Flagstaff/Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff, AZ, which is located ~a 2.5-hour drive South of Page, AZ, or a 1.5-hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim. Flagstaff, AZ, has a larger selection of flights from more cities. American Airlines, for example, offers 3 daily flights to/from Phoenix, AZ. United offers service from both Denver, CO, and Dallas, TX.
The drive to either Page, AZ, or Grand Canyon South Rim would take place on fully-paved, well-traveled highways. With only 2 days to work with, I would recommend flying into/out of Flagstaff, then taking one day to visit Grand Canyon South Rim, and a second to visit Page, AZ. The order you visit them in doesn’t really matter, at this late stage it would probably depend on when you could find availability for Grand Canyon lodging and Page, AZ, hotels, as well as availability for Antelope Canyon tours.
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at [email protected] if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley:
I hope it is OK, but since I cannot find where I can post an original question to you, I’m tacking my question on to your reply to Maritza a week ago.
We have friends coming into town (St. George UT) from Florida, originally from Brazil, who have NEVER been west of Colorado. We are a 2 hr 45 minute drive from here to Horseshoe Bend and want to see it on Sept 20 or 21 Tues or Wed.
After reading several pages of information and comments regarding the parking issue, we want to definitely avoid making the drive there only to be told to come back another time. Although the drive itself would be picturesque and enjoyed by our friends, Horseshoe Bend is our only destination, no alternatives would be acceptable. And no OTHER day is available. Because we are planning to come on a week day (Tues or Wed) are there fewer visitors than on a weekend–especially since school has started and the summer vacation time has passed? We would be coming in the morning hours. Hopefully you see this post in time to reply. Thank you.
Hi Cheryl!
Totally fine to post your question as a reply to another 🙂
Traffic in Page, AZ, in late September tends to be lighter than during the summer months what with most kids being back in school. Also, since the expansion of the Horseshoe Bend parking lot a couple of years ago, problems with congestion tend to occur less frequently than in years past. Another way to boost the odds of a smooth visit is to get an early start on the drive out of St. George, so you can hit Horseshoe Bend in the morning hours when temperatures are cooler (which IIRC you’re already planning on, which is good). The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset, which on the days you’re visiting, occur at 6:11 am and 6:27 pm respectively. Remember too that Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, whereas Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time at this time of year, so St. George, UT time is one hour “ahead” of Page, AZ.
Long story short, you should be fine. One concern I have, however, is that Horseshoe Bend is the only item on your “to-do” list for Page, AZ. You should give some thought to touring Antelope Canyon while you’re here. Your friends are traveling an awfully long way not to see it! A guided tour is required to visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon or any of its alternate branches. For more information on this, visit our companion site, http://www.antelopecanyon.az
If for some reason Antelope Canyon doesn’t interest you this time around, you might consider stopping at the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail on the drive down (or back). Nice easy hike to some great scenery! The trailhead is easy to find, near mile marker 19 on US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT.
Hope that helps – good luck and “viagens felizes” 🙂
Alley
Hello! Stumbled across this just researching. Just looking for advice. My 18 yr old and I are flying into PHoenix 3/4 leaving 3/7…so really only 2 full days and 3 nights in the area. Main thing on the todo list is the Grand Canyon on 3/5. I’m planning to rent an are while we are there. Could you suggest a most scenic route and the “best” rim. Really want just the visual, photos and perhaps a few short 1.5 r/t trail hikes. Then was just thinking of exploring Phoenix,Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler (since his name is Chandler) maybe Tucson on the afternoon/evening that we arrive in 3/4 and during the day on 3/6. Red Rock was suggested. Any other itinerary suggestions for 3/4 and 3/6 you can recommend would be helpful. If we had to choose between 2/3 of the closest nearest next cities to Phoenix which would you recommend? We just did in January a hiking vacation to Red Rock Canyon in NV, did Valley of Fire/Hoover Damn/Lake Mead Rec Area and did Death Valley in CA..it was amazing! Don’t necessarily need this trip to consist of all things national parks or recreation areas. But if there are other amazing places nearby to Phx ( about a 2 hour drive in either direction one way) to check out during our 1.5 free days that’s doable would love the feedback. Stadiums, sports events, quirky off the wall events…etc…thx!
Hi Phyl,
At the time of year you’re visiting, only the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open. The North Rim will not open until mid-May.
With your limited timeframe, I would recommend hitting the Grand Canyon first to get the longer drive of the trip out of the way. Stay one night there, then make your way back South, perhaps with an overnight stopover in Sedona (I assume that’s what you mean by Red Rock?). Phoenix would then be ~a 2-hour drive from there.
If you’re into sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks host spring training games against several Major League Baseball teams at the time of year you’re visiting. For a complete schedule, including where the games will take place, visit http://www.ArizonaSports.com
Because the time of year you’re visiting is within the transitional period between winter and spring, you won’t find many events in the Northern half of the state, but in the Phoenix area, there’s plenty going on. The Desert Botanical Garden has live music going on every Friday throughout the Spring months. Even if you don’t hit it on a Friday, it’s still a worthwhile place to visit. If futuristic architecture and a planned utopia that didn’t quite happen sound interesting, consider a stop at Arcosanti in Mayer, AZ, about 1 hour North of Phoenix. In your son’s namesake town, you’ll also find plenty to see and do! The Arizona Railway Museum is popular, as are the Chandler Museum and Veterans’ Oasis Park. Things To Do in Chandler, AZ
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels, guided tours, dinner reservations (where needed) ASAP. The time of year you’re visiting coincides with Spring Break for many US schoolkids, so Arizona will be busy!
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, this website is really amazing and filled with so high-quality information. thankyou so much 🙂
Hello! My daughter and I are traveling from South Carolina and it will our first visit to the west. We would love to hear your advice on what to do and where to go. Here is our itinerary so far:
Fly in to Las Vegas Saturday, Feb 19th arriving at 9pm. Stay in Red Roof Inn Vegas. Rent a car the following morning
Sunday, Feb 20th Drive to Kanab and stay in Airbnb 2 nights
Monday Feb 21st Tour Lower Antelope Slots Canyon 10AM
Tuesday return to Las Vegas for 2 nights (my daughter is a professional photographer and will be shooting a wedding)
Thursday, Feb 24th, fly home early flight.
We would love some advice on places to visit for great photo ops. One of my bucket list items is to see the milky way.
Thanks in advance.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I am so sorry I did not see your inquiry sooner. Hopefully, you’re finding no shortage of photo ops as you explore the area, including Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ!
Between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos is an easy hike that takes you to a cluster of cool rock formations. The trailhead is at mile marker 19 on US89, very easy to find.
On the drive back to Las Vegas, you could swing through Zion National Park, which wouldn’t be too big a detour, but would add 60-90 minutes onto your drive time. Fair warning, though, doing that may leave you wanting: Zion is a huge area with lots to see and do. A quickie drive-by really won’t do the place justice, you need at least 3-4 days for that. Future trip maybe?
RE: photographing the Milky Way from Kanab, I understand that’s pretty doable with clear skies. I’ve never attempted to do it, but you might check out this article in the Kanab Guide, or this one from the Dark Sky Association for guidance.
Another place you might visit on the way back to Las Vegas (if you didn’t hit it on the way over), Valley of Fire State Park is a stunning area that is easy to visit just Northeast of Las Vegas. The Fire Wave Trail is easy, and very scenic.
Hope that helps – again, sorry it was late!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Hi Alley,
While I didn’t get to see your response until we returned home I found it very funny because we ended up doing much of what you suggested! On our way out of Las Vegas we stopped by The Valley of Fire and loved it. The weather was perfect, sunny, not much wind. The Antelope Canyon was incredible! Luckily we had a morning reservation. As soon as we finished the wind was so strong they canceled all afternoon tours. The wind also kept us from touring Horseshoe Bend. They would have let us in the park, however, the wind was so strong we could tell the people were not enjoying it and the view was not good because of the sand. That set us back on road to Zion where it was snowing! We absolutely loved it, and you’re right, we felt like we only explored a small portion of what Zion had to offer. The skies were never clear, but that was okay. The entire experience was perfect! Thanks for your response, it’s good to know we made the right decisions.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for the follow-up on your trip, glad you had a good time, despite the weather!
Glad you were able to hit Antelope Canyon, but sorry Horseshoe Bend didn’t work out this time around. Guess you’ll have to come back (gee, what a shame *sarcasm*).
Have a great summer, and our best to you and your family.
Alley 🙂
Hi, we are going to Arizona March 29-April 5. We are staying in Flagstaff for 3 days and Phoenix for 3 days. We want to visit the Grand Canyon, Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, Sedona, Scottsdale, possibly Zion national park. Any other suggestions? How should we plan this please?
Hey Mandi,
Well, I’m gonna start off being the bearer of bad news here: I’d recommend taking Zion off the table this time around. Not because it isn’t beautiful — it definitely is! It’s just too far to manage as a day trip out of Flagstaff, AZ. It takes ~5 hours, one way, to drive from Flag (that’s what we call it around here) to Springdale, UT. You have to go all the way there because that is the staging area for the Zion Canyon Shuttle, which is mandatory for accessing the main sightseeing area of Zion National Park if you’re not staying at the Zion Park Lodge. Another thing working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength. In late March-early April, days are still relatively short. Sunrise in Arizona occurs at around 6:15 am and sunset takes place just after 6:45 pm; Utah time is one hour ahead. That’s 12.5 hours of daylight, which you’re already proposing to use 10 of just driving to and from. That doesn’t leave you much time for sightseeing at all, and you would need to time your trip so you arrive back in Flagstaff before nightfall. Driving after dark is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife or livestock that can hike up your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly cold (nighttime temps in late March/early April are still dropping into the 30s and 40s), where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! Long story short, plan a future trip to Zion when you can stay closer to the park, or within the park itself.
If you’re looking for a sightseeing option for that 3rd day in Flag, I’d recommend Petrified Forest & the Painted Desert. Petrified Forest/Painted Desert is ~90 minutes, 1 way, from Flagstaff. On the way there, if desired, you could also visit Meteor Crater and “Standin’ On The Corner” park in Winslow, Arizona. In this video, this young family is doing this exact itinerary as a day trip out of Flagstaff and as you can hopefully see, they have no trouble enjoying themselves in the timeframe allotted. Another plus is that the weather in PEFO/PDO is quite mild at this time of year, unlike Zion, where it could still snow!
For your day in Page, AZ, be sure you reserve an Antelope Canyon tour ASAP (if you haven’t done so already), and build your day around that activity.
Hope that helps! If you require further guidance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Valley of Fire State Park is fantastic, although during summer months, it will be brutally hot, and the trail and parking to “The Fire Wave” are closed. Rangers patrol here, and trying it’s not a good idea. Anyhow, wintertime is exceptional in the park too. The trail to “The Fire Wave” is much less crowded. If anybody likes to get an idea how it can look like, check out my recent footage from this winter https://youtu.be/2Znclo6NIcQ
If you arrive after visitor centre hours, it’s a good idea to download the Hiking and State Park Map from here besttime2travel.com/valley-fire
Micha
Micha,
Wow, thanks for the input!
I knew that summer was hot, but didn’t realize they closed the Fire Wave Trail at that time.
Thanks again for stopping by,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Great video!
Hi Alley,
Im planning a trip to the area the first week in June. Flying into Vegas May 31, and then driving to AZ June 2… plan to make a huge loop and be back in Vegas for a flight out by June 8. My plan was to stay in the Williams/Flagstaff Area and visit The south rim, meteor crator, petrified forest, painted dessert, etc…. then we woud relocate to Page. I want to see lake powell, monument valley, antelope canyon…. was thinking oh hitting Zion on our way back to Vegas.
Do you think this is all doable? Any tips tricks or suggestions???
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for your inquiry!
At the time of year you’re visiting, using Williams or Flagstaff, AZ, as a base from which to visit the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, etc., can be done. In June, you have longer daylight hours to work with (sunrise occurs at 5:05 am, and sunset takes place at around 7:45 pm), which is good seeing as though it takes 90 minutes, each way, to drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Petrified Forest. That’s wheels turning, no stops, not factoring in stops at Meteor Crater, Painted Desert, etc., meal breaks, pulling off at random sites that pique your interest, etc. Be sure to allow some time for a stop in Winslow to visit “Standin’ On A Corner” park, and the beautiful and historic La Posada Hotel.
On the day you visit Grand Canyon South Rim, plan on taking the “long way in,” from Flagstaff, take US89 North to Cameron, then AZ64 West to Grand Canyon Village. If you get an early start on the day, you might stop at the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast – they serve some amazing Navajo Tacos! If you choose not to eat there, it still makes for a good stop for a bathroom break, leg stretch, top of the tank (if necessary). Going this route will take longer – 2.5 hours (direct, no stops) vs. 90 minutes – but it will give you the dual advantages of entering the park via the East gate, which tends to be less crowded, and the ability to stop at over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village. All have varying perspectives and dominant features, so they’re all worth your time! Upon arrival at Grand Canyon Village, park your vehicle and utilize the free shuttles to explore the Historic District with all the old hotels, museums, and gift shops. Time permitting, you might even hop on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim shuttle and visit some of the overlooks on this 8-mile spur road that is closed to private vehicles during the summer months. When you’re ready to head back to Flagstaff – or “Flag” as we refer to it around here – it takes ~90 minutes to make the trip from Grand Canyon Village. Map Just make sure you time your exit so you’re heading out of the park by 6:00 PM at the latest. The key is to time all driving so that you’re not doing any of it in the dark. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife or livestock that can ratchet up your risk of an auto accident. That’s something you don’t want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Page, AZ, takes approximately 2.5 hours – again, driving direct, no stops. On this leg of the trip – heading North once more on US89 from Flag – you might take advantage of the opportunity to visit Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument, which is a short distance North of Flag. Taking the scenic loop drive will add another 60-90 minutes onto your trip time, longer if you get out and explore a bit. This route will take you by the Cameron Trading Post once more, so if you need a bathroom break or wish to grab a snack or some gifts for the folks back home, you’ll have another chance to stop there. Heading North from Cameron, there are other points of interest, such as Chinle formation views, Native American open-air souvenir stands, and the Antelope Pass Vista, which is an incredible view of the Kaibab Plateau. Just South of the town of Page, AZ, you can visit Horseshoe Bend, but in June, you might save that for just after sunrise the following morning. That time of year, mid-day and afternoon temperatures will be very hot. A sunrise visit offers cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The following day, tour Antelope Canyon (guided tours are required and must be reserved in advance), then head into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to do some sightseeing at Lake Powell. For Lake Powell, you can “DIY” and explore the area from the shoreline or consider a boat tour to get you out further on the water.
For Monument Valley, here again, longer days provide the time needed to visit as a day trip out of Page, AZ. It takes ~2 hours, each way, to drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley. Again, that number is driving direct, no stops, which rarely happens. In the town of Kayenta, ~30 minutes from Monument Valley, there’s a fascinating Navajo Code Talkers’ Museum inside the local Burger King. In Monument Valley, you can take your own vehicle on the 17-mile scenic loop drive, or better yet, take a backcountry tour led by a Navajo guide. The latter will take you places off-limits to non-residents, and give you a deeper understanding of Navajo traditions and culture. Note that most of Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Saving Time, but the Navajo Reservation DOES. Therefore, you will “lose” an hour traveling from Page to Monument Valley, but “regain” it upon returning to Page. Be sure to factor this in when traveling to meet any time-sensitive activities, and timing your return drive to Page, AZ, so you’re there before sunset.
Hitting Zion National Park as a “drive-by” on the way back to Las Vegas isn’t such a great idea. It’s a huge and beautiful park with lots to see and do. We recommend at least a 2-3 day stay to really do it justice. At the time of year you’re visiting, you would likely want to stay in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT, both towns are near the Western border of the park. Springdale, UT, is the hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, which you are required to use to access the main sightseeing area of the park if you’re not staying there. If you don’t have the time or inclination to include an overnight stay in Zion this time around, the drive from Page, AZ, to Las Vegas, with a quick pass through Zion will probably take ~7 hours. Map
I can pretty much guarantee if you do that, though, you will start planning a return trip to Zion for a future date when you can give the area the time it deserves!
As usual, I’ve rambled on and I hope at least some of this helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi! We are visiting the area April 13-21 and would love your thoughts and any information you can offer regarding our bare bones “itinerary”. It will be two 40 year old couples and two 13 year old teens traveling together (renting a suburban). We are at an Airbnb for 5 nights in Kanab, UT, and then 3 nights in an Airbnb in Williams, AZ.
Wednesday, April 13th – flight lands in Las Vegas at 9 AM – drive to Airbnb in Kanab, Utah – get groceries, get dinner out, and settle in
Thursday, April 14th – visit Zion National Park
Friday, April 15th – visit Bryce National Park
Saturday, April 16 – visit Zion or Bryce National Parks
Sunday, April 17th – visit Zion National Park
Monday, April 18 – drive to Page, AZ for 1/2 day rafting trip at Horseshoe Bend (will be complete by 3) – we are then heading to Airbnb in Williams, AZ for three nights. Will we have time after rafting trip to go to Horseshoe Bend Overlook and maybe drive the Naat’ Tsis’ Aan Navajo Mountain scenic route on the way to Williams, AZ??
Tuesday, April 19 – visit South Rim of Grand Canyon or do a few things in Williams
Wednesday, April 20 – visit South Rim of Grand Canyon or do a few things in Williams
Thursday, April 21 – drive to Las Vegas – Reservations at Hell’s Kitchen at 4:30 – flight leave Las Vegas at 10 PM
As you can see, we are still in the skeletal phase of our itinerary, so we would appreciate any guidance that you can provide! We don’t mind getting up and on the road early (even with the teens), but we do try to not have 2 crazy long days back to back. We’d like to do a short horseback ride and maybe a jeep/UTV tour in Zion or Bryce.
We are so excited for this trip, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Stacie
Hi Stacie,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun! Kanab makes for a good place to stay for the front end of your trip. On the way out of Las Vegas, you might consider making a slight detour through Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a stunning area, just a short distance NE of Las Vegas, and April is one of the best times to be there. When you get to Kanab, you can enjoy a nice dinner at one of several well-reviewed local restaurants. My personal favorite is Rocking V, but Sego Restaurant, Peek-A-Boo Wood Fired Kitchen, and Wild Thyme Restaurant come highly recommended.
For horseback riding in Zion or Bryce, visit Canyon Trail Rides. They are the authorized concessioner for trail rides in both parks. UTV tours are also available in both parks, offered by separate companies. Zion UTV Tours Bryce Canyon UTV Tours
Still, I’d recommend making a couple of small modifications in order to get the most out of your time on the back end of your trip. On the day you go to Page, AZ, I’d recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend Overlook before the raft trip. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset. Sunrise occurs at ~5:45 AM, sunset takes place around 7:00 PM. After the raft trip, instead of driving the Navajo scenic drive, I’d recommend going to Grand Canyon South Rim via the East Rim/Desert View drive of the park. Stopping at the Cameron Trading Post and the half-dozen+ Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village, then going on to Williams, AZ will take ~4 hours and change. On that 2nd day, you might drive back up to the park and take the free shuttle out to the overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive and maybe take the opportunity to see the IMAX movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan (just outside the park gates).
On your last day in Williams, you could indeed just stick around town, there’s plenty to do in the immediate vicinity, such as Bearizona, the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, there’s even a zipline! Things To Do in Williams Time/desire permitting, you might make the short jaunt to Seligman, AZ. It was the partial inspiration for the town of “Radiator Springs” in the “Cars” movie. Or if you prefer to do some hiking, you could visit Sycamore Falls, which in April, might be running. It’s a pretty easy trail, too.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you require further assistance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travel,
Alley 🙂
Hi! We are planning on flying in and out of Phoenix from March 21 – March 25. We would like to do the South Rim, Horseshoe Bend, and White Water Rafting. What itinerary would you recommend?
Hey Chelsea,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you might have to take white water rafting off the table this time around.
The sole single-day Grand Canyon white water rafting trip is based out of Peach Springs, AZ, an isolated area on the Western fringes of the Grand Canyon. Since the trip starts early and potentially ends late, you should plan on spending the night in Peach Springs, AZ, or nearby the night before the trip, and possibly the night you return. So that’s 3 days gone, right there. Another consideration: in late March, you could still encounter wintry weather, up to and including snow. Not the best time for a white water rafting trip, especially one where you will get splashed with water as cold as 45 degrees (F). For more information, visit GrandCanyonWest.com
A more realistic goal would be a milder rafting experience that doesn’t eat up as much of your time. The Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip originates from Page, AZ, and lasts for approximately half a day. Since check-in for that trip is at 9:30 AM, you could hit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning; the parking lot opens right at sunrise, which is 6:15 am in late March. Allot 90 minutes or so to park, hike to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. Plan on devoting 2 nights to Page, AZ, to accomplish these objectives, and maybe do a tour of Antelope Canyon.
As to your itinerary, that depends largely on hotel availability, but in terms of the drive, that will be kind of a “six of one, half a dozen of another” proposition. The drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is ~4.5 hours; ditto for the drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ. You could do something like this:
March 21st – Fly into Poenix, overnight in Phoenix
March 22nd – Drive to Page, AZ (~4.5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page
March 23rd – AM visit Horseshoe Bend, take Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip, 2nd night in Page
March 24th – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, visit Horseshoe Bend on way out of town if you didn’t hit it the day before. Drive time factoring in the many scenic overlooks and sights you’ll end up stopping at ~3.5-4 hours. Stop at Cameron Trading Post for breakfast or lunch. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
March 25th – Drive back to Phoenix (~4.5 hours), fly home
Again, be prepared to reverse that itinerary if hotel availability, or lack thereof, dictates doing so. Remember that a guided tour is mandatory for visiting Antelope Canyon, and advance reservations are a must. GEt on those reservations ASAP if you haven’t done so already; you’re traveling over what is the Spring Break holiday for many US schools and it will be busy.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you need further guidance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
Hi Ally,
I couldn’t find where to make an original comment and so I’m just replying to this one because it’s kind of similar to my trip. I am flying from San Diego April 30, 2022 into Phoenix in the early afternoon then I was going to drive to Page and stay the night. That morning I was going to catch the sunrise or a little after the sunrise at horseshoe Bend and then take my time getting over to antelope Canyon to walk through at around noon or one so the sun was above me and then drive back to Phoenix that afternoon and fly out or fly out Monday morning hopefully. Maybe even catch a quick wine tasting in between Phoenix and Page in Sedona but that might be a stretch. I am just going on my own so I was thinking of taking a tour guide through antelope Canyon
Hi Kacie,
No problem replying to a previous query at all!
Your plan sounds pretty fun except where you say “take your time getting over to Antelope Canyon and walking through at noon.” The Antelope Canyons are on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, therefore, a guided tour is required to visit whichever segment of the canyon one you choose. For more information on booking a tour to Antelope Canyon, visit our companion site, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ
The drive from Page, AZ, back to Phoenix, wheels turning, no stops takes ~4.5 hours. After taking a mid-morning or afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, which lets out at, say 1:00 pm-ish, would put you back to Phoenix at 5:30-6:00 PM. That doesn’t take into account stopping somewhere for dinner. Diverting through Sedona would add about 90 minutes time to your drive, again, without stopping. Trying to squeeze a wine tasting in would be something of a stretch, as you aptly put. One important safety consideration in this part of the US is nighttime driving. It is strongly discouraged due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife can hike up your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, cold (nighttime lows in some areas are still dipping down in the 40’s in April), where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! In late April/early May sunrise occurs at 5:30 am and sunset takes place at 7:15 pm.
If you wanted to somehow include Sedona in your itinerary, a better plan would be to stay overnight there, then head back to Phoenix the following morning.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
If we are flying into Phoenix on 5/13 (late night flight) and we are wanting to see Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Zion before making our way to Las Vegas by dark on 5/17, what itinerary would you recommend?
Hi Lori,
Flying into Phoenix and out of Vegas would enable you to cover this route fairly well. It will be a busy trip, but it can be done. Since your flight into Phoenix is a red-eye, I’d recommend staying somewhere close to the airport that night. Then, I’d recommend:
05/14 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4 hours), overnight at the Grand Canyon
05/15 – Drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours if you stop at all the Grand Canyon viewpoints between GC Village and Desert View Point), hit Horseshoe Bend on way into town, overnight in Page.
05/16 – Tour Antelope Canyon first thing in AM, drive to Zion (~2 hours from Page), overnight in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT
05/17 – take Zion Canyon Shuttle into park, hike Upper Emerald Pools trail, drive back to Las Vegas, NV, in afternoon (~3 hours)
Trip map
Bear in mind that you should try to do all your driving during daylight hours. This is due to the fact that local roads are very dimly lit and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to mill around at night, which hikes up your risk of an auto accident. That’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that is pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In Zion, sunrise occurs at 6:20 am and sunset takes place at around 8:30 pm in mid-May. Both Arizona and Nevada are 1 hour behind Utah, so scoot those times back 1 hour for those areas. Driving back to Las Vegas during the evening isn’t too bad (usually) because you have several good-sized light domes in St. George, UT, Mesquite, NV, and Las Vegas itself.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! If you require further guidance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Hi Alley,
Love your website. Thanks for all the your suggestions. We (My husband and I) are planning a trip to Las Vegas in January 2022 (26th – 31st). We are flying from Charlotte, North Carolina.We want to visit Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon South Rim as well.I would love to get your opinion on our below itinerary.
Day 1 – Reaching Las Vegas at 9:30pm.
Day 2 and Day 3 – Las Vegas .We want to visit Skywalk and Hoover Dam if possible in one of these days.
Day 4 – Start from Vegas in the morning and drive to Page (if time permits thru Zion). I would like to know how difficult is this drive – is it desert driving or involves mountain driving)? Planning to stay overnight in Page.
Day 5 – Upper and lower antelope canyon tours, horshoe bend and drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Planning to watch the sunset and stay inside the park/in Tusayan overnight
Day 6 – Explore South Rim till noon and drive to Phoenix Airport for a midnight(12:30AM) return flight to Charlotte. (I felt this is lesser distance compared to drive back to Vegas)
Thank you so much in advance.
Hey Sam!
Your plan looks pretty fun, but I’d recommend a couple of modifications.
For example, where you suggest “driving to Page through Zion.” Don’t get me wrong, it can be done, it’s a mix of desert and mountain type driving conditions. The thing is that Zion is such a beautiful and large park that you’ll find yourself wishing you’d allotted more time there. 2-3 days is what we typically recommend for a first-time visit to Zion. Instead of doing that, and finding yourself wanting, I’d recommend taking the short detour through the stunning Valley of Fire State Park, just north of Las Vegas.
On Day 5, you might want to limit your Antelope Canyon tours to one, then hit Horseshoe Bend on the way out of town from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. The reason I suggest this is because at the time of year you’re visiting, days are still quite short. Sunrise in Arizona occurs at 7:30 am and sunset takes place around 5:45 pm. The drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is listed on Google Maps as taking ~2.5 hours, but don’t be surprised if it takes you longer; a lot longer. It’s a very scenic drive and you will be stopping to take photos more often than you realize. The Cameron Trading Post is worth a stop for a leg stretch/bathroom break at least, but the Navajo taco in the restaurant is generally regarded as a must-eat item. Rightfully so, they’re really good. So there’s more time off the clock there. Once you enter Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point, you’ll find over half a dozen named viewpoints between the park entrance and Grand Canyon Village vying for a stop. Long story short, it can realistically take anywhere from 3.5-4 hours to make a 150-mile drive. Coming from that direction, I recommend trying to be around Grandview Point for sunset. I like that viewpoint because it’s off the beaten path enough so that it’s not terribly crowded but also has a really great view of the canyon, including parts of the Colorado River. Forward to the 1:05 mark on this video to get a sneak preview of what it looks like. BTW, the video promotes a tour, which you don’t need in your case because Grandview Point is open to private vehicles. Tusayan would then be ~30 minutes drive from Grandview. Map
Now, normally we don’t recommend driving at all after sunset in this part of the US. This is due to the fact that local roads are very dimly lit and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to mill around at night, which hikes up your risk of an auto accident. This will be in an unfamiliar area that is pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
As for the drive from Grand Canyon to Phoenix being of “lesser distance” than that to Las Vegas, it’s maybe a difference of 50 miles. The drive from GC to Phoenix can be very scenic, so if your budget can handle it, go for it. Still, you might find it more cost-effective to take your return flight (and drop your rental car) out of the same airport you flew into. It’s worth checking into.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you require further guidance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Hey Alley,
We are a family of four (Me, My brother, Mum, and Dad(both in their 60’s) ). We plan for a 2 day trip in March/April to fly in from Texas. Considering their age, I’m not sure Hiking for long hours be an option! (The goal is to visit the horseshoe bend If possible take a riverboat cruise, Kayak, and also check out the antelope canyon)
Can you please share some details around what activities can we do and what tour options are available?
Hi Piyush,
If long hikes are not an option for you or your folks, you’d probably want to tour Upper Antelope Canyon or Secret Antelope Canyon. The walk through Upper Antelope is may 100 meters, but there is a 1/2-mile network of walkways one must navigate from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. If that won’t work, then Secret Antelope Canyon is a longer walk (~450 meters), but doesn’t have any stairs whatsoever. Whatever you decide, it’s essential to book a guided tour (they are required) in advance of your arrival. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
The trail to Horseshoe Bend is ~.7 miles one way, 1.4 miles round-trip. It’s relatively flat, but fully exposed and March/April weather can be cold. If you decide they cannot make the walk, another way to see it would be to fly over it in an airplane or helicopter.
The Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip is generally enjoyable for people of most ages and physical ability levels, and I can highly recommend that trip personally. I don’t know as I’d recommend kayaking as that time of year can be windy and cold; not the best of conditions for kayaking.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! If you require further guidance, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Alley. The wife and I are considering a 5-6 day trip in March 22. POI include horseshoe, wire, couple hour Colorado river boat tour, GC horseback/donkey ride or helicopter tour, sedona for a day or 2. What would your route and itinerary be? Likely flying into flagstaff.
Hi Brett,
Using Flagstaff, AZ, as your staging city, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Fly to Flagstaff, AZ, drive to Page, AZ (~3 hour drive), afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
Day 2: Half-day Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip (sorry, no such animal as a “couple hour” Colorado River Boat tour), 2nd night in Page
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3-3.5 hour drive), visit Horseshoe Bend on the way out of town, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon, take Canyon Vista mule ride (if you can get reservations)
Day 5: Drive to Sedona, AZ (~3 hours), take Grand Canyon helicopter flight on way out of town (mornings are best time to fly), overnight in Sedona
Day 6: 2nd day/night in Sedona, recommend Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Jeep Tour
Day 7: Drive back to Flagstaff (~1 hour drive), fly home
Custom trip map
I like putting Sedona, AZ, at the end of peoples’ vacation itineraries because it has a nice “chill” vibe and makes for a good place to decompress and relax before getting back to “the grind.”
The feasibility of this itinerary will depend largely on hotel availability, which you should start checking on ASAP. Remember that you’re traveling during the spring break holiday, so it will be busy. If possible, try to get hotel reservations inside the park at the Grand Canyon, or at least in Tusayan, AZ, 7 miles outside the park. Grand Canyon hotels Page, AZ, and Sedona, AZ, have a fairly extensive list of hotels to choose from, but still, book ahead. Ditto for Antelope Canyon, a guided tour is required to visit this world-famous slot canyon.
One last thing: your trip date also falls within the transitional period between winter and spring, so be prepared for cooler weather, up to and including snow. A jacket, gloves, and a hat or scarf should be packed, along with good walking shoes.
Hope that helps. Pleased feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Thank You! Are coffee pot rock and sunset crater worthwhile, an could those be see on the drives to page and Sedona?
Hey again Brett!
You could definitely make a nice day out of the drive from Flag to Page by taking the detour to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments. They are connected by an easy-to-find, convenient loop drive just North of town, and there are opportunities to get out and do some exploring if desired. Plan for that diversion to add at least 2 hours onto your travel time to Page, AZ.
As for Coffee Pot Rock, it is visible from many vantage points in Sedona, AZ. If you wanted to get up closer, it is possible to hike to it via a trailhead that connects with other popular attractions such as Thunder Mountain, Chimney Rock, and Cathedral Rock.
Have fun!
Alley
We are now thinking about changing the date to June and doing a family trip with the 2 kids, both teenagers. Is june a good time to do this trip?
Hey again Brett,
June is a perfectly fine time to visit, the only drawback(s) are that it’s hot and busy. Be sure to book hotels and Antelope Canyon tours in advance, and try to plan most labor-intensive activities for the earlier morning hours.
Have fun,
Alley 🙂
We just returned from our trip. Flew into phoenix mid day, drove to flagstaff. Got up and drove to Hoover Dam for a tour, drove thru LV up into Hurricane and spent the night. Got up and drove to Page. Did lower antelope tour, as horseshoe bend, then did the Tower Butte helicopter ride. Then drove back to Flagstaff. Got up and drove to Tusayan for GC Pink Jeep tour. Then drove to Sedona that afternoon to see it. Then back to Phoenix to fly home the next day.
It was an amazing trip with my son for his HS graduation. Definitely plan on going back when we can take it slower and really see more. All in all we both really enjoyed it. The views and scenery were incredible. Thank you for your input it certainly helped.
Hey Brett,
Great to hear from you! Thanks so much for posting a follow-up to your vacation. Definitely sounds like a whirlwind tour, but you had a great time regardless. Hope you get a chance to return when you can spend more time and really enjoy the area. When you’re ready, maybe check out this 14-day itinerary which includes the Grand Canyon and Utah’s Mighty 5!
Take care and safe travels always,
Alley 🙂
We (family of 4, including 2 pre teen boys) plan to get to Las Vegas airport on 4/8 next year (Friday), then drive to Page Az to stay a night, then head out to Horseshoe Bend on 4/9 morning before going on the Antelope Canyon tour at noon. I hope that we can then drive to Grand Canyon South rim the same day after the tour, with plan to stay overnight around the south rim on 4/9 night. I like to go around the popular sightseeing points on 4/10 before driving to Vegas on 4/10. Would our itineraries work? Would the drives/travel times doable for a typical family? Thanks!
Hey Lily,
That sounds pretty fun, and totally feasible.
As for the plan to “go around the popular sightseeing points on 4/10,” you should have time to hit a couple of viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest shuttle that morning.
On the drive over from Page, AZ, on 4/9, you’ll actually have the opportunity to visit over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. So if you wanted to just take it easy that morning before driving to Las Vegas, you’ll have already accomplished quite a bit of Grand Canyon sightseeing.
Hope that helps. Please be sure you reserve your Antelope Canyon tour and all hotels along your route well in advance.
Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
http://horseshoebend.com
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
We are all a family of 4, two adults and two pre teen (11 & 12) boys. We are flying into Vegas late on March 2nd and staying the night in Vegas. We are planning to rent a car in Vegas then head out towards Hoover Dam on Thursday after we pick up our rental car. We do not fly out until late at night on March 9th. We would like to visit Hoover Dam, South Rim of Grand Canyon and as many convenient walks/sightseeing lookouts that we can see of the canyon, then add in other places of interest such as possibly Antelope canyon, Horseshoe bend, Zion National Park, Valley of Fire State Park. We are traveling in the beginning of March and do not want to encounter dangerous roads, as we will be in a rental car. I have read your recommendation to not travel at dark and thank you for that advice. Do you think that we should alter our plans to be north of the Grand Canyon due to unforeseen weather conditions, or do they keep the roads pretty well cleared? We have never traveled to the Grand Canyon before and are just looking for some advice in an itinerary… and local recommendations you may have… We are not looking to spend a great deal of $$$$ money on kayak tours and personal tours, but do want to spend money to see places that are a must do in your opinion.. I was thinking of a driving in a type of loop going to the places of interest along the way, but am not sure if that is feasible in early March…
Hey Lynn,
Weather in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is pretty much a cr@pshoot in early March. Like that nursery rhyme about the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead, when March weather is good, it’s very very good, but when it’s bad, it’s horrid. Having lived in the area for close to 25 years, I’ve seen full-on blizzard conditions, and little teasers of strawberry Spring type weather where it’s warm enough to go outside for a picnic.
Altering your plans to veer North of the Grand Canyon won’t really reduce or negate your risk of encountering bad weather. If anything, you might want to head South instead, and maybe even modify your plans so that you’re using Phoenix as your fly-in city. If it is too late for that, I totally understand, and it is perfectly possible to have a wonderful vacation in the timeframe you have using Las Vegas as your starting and ending points. The good news is you’d be traveling all paved, well-traveled roads, so the maintenance crews do everything they can to keep these thoroughfares clear.
You could do something like this:
March 2nd – fly into Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
March 3rd – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim with stop at Hoover Dam (~5.5 hour drive), overnight at the Grand Canyon
March 4th – drive to Page, AZ via the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, taking advantage of the opportunity to stop at the many Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, visit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
March 5th – tour Antelope Canyon (a guided tour is required), hike the Hanging Gardens Trail, Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, and/or the New Wave, 2nd night in Page
March 6th – drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), optional stop at Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, overnight at Bryce Canyon
March 7th – drive to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT; utilize Zion Canyon Shuttle to access main sightseeing area (if you’re not staying at Zion Lodge), hike Riverside trail, Upper Emerald Pools, weather permitting
March 8th – 2nd day/night in Zion
March 9th – drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5 hours) with detour through Valley of Fire State Park (add another 2-3 hours minimum), return rental car, fly home
Custom trip map
Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
I would advise monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. That will give you the best idea of what to pack. Be aware that the elevations vary quite widely between parks and other attractions around here, from 2,000 above sea level (ASL) for Las Vegas, to 8,000′ ASL at Bryce Canyon.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
We are driving from Phoenix to Zion (and on up to Salt Lake City) in early March of next year. If we want to just stop at horseshoe bend to snap some photos and head back out, how long does that generally take? Is it possible? Do we need a pass or guide to just stop at the trail head, hike to the bend, then go back to the road?
Hi Kelly!
Since you pretty much have to stop at Page, AZ, anyway on the drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Zion National Park, then yes, you could make a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend just to cross it off your bucket list. It costs $10/standard passenger vehicle to park in the parking lot. You should allot 90 minutes to 2 hours to park, walk to the rim (self-guided), take some photos, then walk back to your vehicle.
That said, you might consider restructuring your plans a bit so you can spend a night in Page, AZ. The main reason why you might want to do this is so you can tour Antelope Canyon as well. This is generally, and correctly regarded as another “must-do” activity in Page, AZ.
Another important consideration at the time of year you’re traveling is that days are still relatively short. On March 7th, for example, sunrise takes place at 6:45 am and sunset occurs just before 6:30 pm. That’s not even 12 hours of daylight to work with, and you’re already proposing to eat up ~5 hours driving from Phoenix to Page, AZ, then another couple of hours driving the rest of the way to Zion. Trip map
If you’re thinking that you’ll just make the drive to Zion at night, we strongly advise against that. Nighttime driving is generally discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit. The possible presence of deer, elk, other wildlife, and livestock animals (there’s a stretch of US89 before you get to Kanab, UT, that’s notorious for this) can also elevate your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to encounter in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
The drive from Zion to SLC will be ~4.5-5 hours, depending on whether you start out from the park itself, or one of the gateway communities such as Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT.
Just something to think about 😉 Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://horseshoebend.com
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
We are planning on going to South Rim in early April’22. Trying to figure out if it’s safe to drive up to Horseshoe bend or can the roads be blocked due to snow. Would you say it’s a good time to visit Horseshoe Bend?
Hi Sabina,
April is a wonderful time to visit Horseshoe Bend! Weather is not too dreadfully hot, and the majority of tours and activities are up and running. As for roads between the South Rim and Page, AZ, being blocked by snow, that’s highly unlikely. However, April is notorious for having that one last big snowstorm of the season roll through, which has necessitated rare road closures. I strongly recommend you bookmark http://www.az511.com or download the app on your smartphone so you can monitor local road conditions. Also, start monitoring weather at the South Rim about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Best case scenario, weather will be nice, but brisk, so a jacket and a pair of gloves should go in your suitcase!
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://horseshoebend.com
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Hi Alley,
I have sent an email to your email id from my personal email id. Can you please see if you can help?
Regards
Gourav Nayyar
Hi Gourav,
Check your in-box 😉
Apologies for the delay in reply.
Alley
Hi alley
So I’m coming to the Grand Canyon area the 25th thru the 29th well im coming in from Fort Collins co so on the way to the Grand Canyon im gonna stop by the horseshoe bend to mark that off the list then proceed to my cabin north of williams az that will be Monday then Tuesday I want to explore the view points in the south rim and drive some of the east rim Nd check out some view points is that logical and then Wednesday wake up early and drive to vegas to do a day trip and explore the Hoover damn and drive back to williams to sleep and then Thursday make are way to the Grand Canyon skywalk
Dear Anthony,
Oh, HELL no!
That’s too much driving, not enough “quality time.” You don’t have enough time to mark all these items off your wish list with your already limited time frame.
For example, the drive from FoCo to Horseshoe Bend takes 11 hours. That’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens, because this is a beautiful drive (I’ve done it), and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Then the drive from Page, AZ (where Horseshoe Bend is located) to Williams takes ~3 hours.
So that’s 14 hours of driving, bare minimum, you’re proposing to do on a day when you don’t even have 12 hours of daylight to work with. On October 25th, sunrise takes place at 6:42 am and sunset occurs at 5:37 pm. You need to plan to do all your driving during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit. The possible presence of deer, elk, other wildlife, and livestock animals can also elevate your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, cold (nighttime temps are starting to get chilly in late-October), where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Doing a day trip to Grand Canyon South Rim out of Williams, AZ, is OK, but you may not need to do that. More on that in a minute.
The trip from Williams, AZ, to Las Vegas, NV, is ~a 4-hour drive. The trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon Skywalk is ~2.5 hours, then you’d be facing a 3+-hour drive back to Williams? Again, not my idea of a pleasant day.
Here’s what all that driving looks like on a map
Long story short, you need to rein in your wish list. I recommend taking Las Vegas and the Skywalk off the table this time around. Save it for a time when you can maybe fly there to make the most out of your visit. You can get plenty of flights out of Denver to Las Vegas.
Here’s what I’d recommend you do instead:
10/25 – Drive from FoCo to Moab, UT (~7 hour drive), overnight in Moab, UT
10/26 – Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hours), optional stop at Goosenecks of San Juan State Park, Monument Valley, overnight in Page, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon time/desire permitting
10/27 – Visit Horseshoe Bend, then continue on to Grand Canyon South Rim via East Rim Drive of the park (~3.5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim or Williams (1 hour South of the park)
10/28 – Start driving back to FoCo — in one shot, the drive from Williams to FoCo is ~12 hours, but if you wanted to take the scenic route, go as far as Durango/Cortez, maybe stop at Mesa Verde
10/29 – Complete trip to FoCo
Custom Trip Map
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. Please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://horseshoebend.com
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Hello! just booked a short overnight weekend for Horseshoe Bend…gonna drive up Sat 11/27, hike at sunrise on 11/28 and knock it out. I know it’s hard to predict but do you think the weather will be okay at that time? Not concerned about cold, just snow as I don’t have 4-wheel drive. Coming up
from Tucson area so not far away.
thanks!
Hey Jennifer!
You are correct in that weather is hard to predict this far out. Best case scenario, it will be sunny but cold. Worst case scenario, you could encounter rainy/snowy conditions. In any case, be prepared to bring a jacket and gloves. You’ll probably need them, regardless. Start monitoring the weather in Page, AZ, about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. Not having 4-wheel drive shouldn’t be that big a deal since all roads you’re proposing to travel are paved. Weather-related closures are rare, but they can happen, so bookmark the Arizona Department of Transportation website, http://www.az511.com I think they also have an app you can download.
One thing I do need to point out is that it is a ~6-hour drive, one way, from Tucson to Page, AZ. Not sure what you predicted the drive to be, but didn’t want you to have any unpleasant surprises on this trip.
Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://horseshoebend.com
http://antelopecanyon.az
http://thewaveaz.com
http://antelopecanyonboattours.com
http://alstrompoint.com
http://towerbutte.com
http://canyonskywalk.com
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Page with my family including two kids 6yr and 3yr. Can someone suggest what are the ideal places to go with kids. And is Upper Antelope is good or canyon X is better?
Hi Gourav,
Unfortunately, many Antelope Canyon tour operators forbid children younger than 6 from taking part.
The exceptions are, for Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, http://www.antelopecanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
Note that Upper Antelope Canyon now has a 1/2-mile long network of catwalks that visitors must navigate from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. While these are not terribly difficult to manage, they are completely exposed to the elements. AntelopeCanyon.AZ: The New Normal
For Lower Antelope Canyon, children are allowed, with parental discretion advised, with:
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours, (928) 640-1761, http://www.antelopelowercanyon.com
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/
Antelope Canyon X, to my understanding, does admit younger children, but like Lower Antelope Canyon, Antelope X is remote and rugged. Ladders have been placed in some of the steeper ascents and descents in recent years, but that doesn’t make it a piece of cake by any means for anyone carrying a 20-50 lb. child on their back. For more information on Antelope Canyon X, visit Taadidiin Antelope Canyon X Tours https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/ (928) 660-8890
http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Bringing Kids
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello everyone,
Hiking North to South Rim with the friends later this month, then will stay in GC Junction. After that plan to continue on my own and here is the challenge. As I would be left without a car from that point one needs any decent transportation to first back to GC South Rim [explore area] and then to Page later that day. Also, after a day in Page I will need to head back to Phoenix.
I understand car rental is ideal, but it is very hard to find a service onsite especially with a drop off in Phoenix. Any public transport there or hitchhiking all around?
Thank you.
Hi Dmitry,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news here, but you might find this hard to pull off without a vehicle.
Hitchhiking is illegal in Arizona and there is virtually no public transport in this part of the US.
To get from Grand Canyon Junction (aka Valle, AZ) to the South Rim, then on to Page, AZ, I would suggest calling Williams Taxi & Shuttle at 928-635-1111. You might also look at National Park Express, they’re based in Las Vegas, NV, but offer transportation to several different parks in Northern AZ/Southern UT. Their phone # is 702-948-4190
To get from Page, AZ, to Phoenix, I would recommend flying on Contour Airlines. FWIW, there is an AVIS car rental outlet at the Page, AZ, airport, but you may be hard-pressed to get a one-way drop-off in Phoenix. In any case, their # is 928-645-2024.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you Alley!
I am currently thinking to stay a night in Flagstaff [instead of junction], then rent a car over the morning and use it all the way to South Rim & surroundings then head to Page. On a way back from Page I can either drop it in Flagstaff and then use a public transport or drive to Phoenix and drop there is that would be possible. All this will give me less hassle from my understanding.
Hey Dmitry,
You’re more likely to be able to rent a car then get a shuttle to Phoenix out of Flagstaff, AZ, than at the Grand Canyon or Page. For more information on scheduled transportation from Flagstaff to Phoenix, visit Groome Transportation.
One thing to keep in mind, though: any driving you do should be during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife (or even livestock) that can ratchet up your risk of a car accident. Believe me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly cold (nighttime temps can get chilly in late September), where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In late September, sunrise occurs just before 6:15 AM, and sunset takes place around 6:20 PM.
Have a great time,
Alley 🙂
Really appreciate Alley! Yes, I understand this is not Manhattan and New Jersey. I booked car with a pick up in Flagstaff airport and drop off in Phoenix International a few days after. Interesting is that a drop off in Flagstaff is more expensive!
Hope to get a good experience with North/South Rim as well as East side in Page. Leaving West Rim to the next time and combine that with a trip to Vegas.
Hi,
Traveling to GC and Page this weekend and would love your input.
Day 1: Arrive to Phoenix airport by 10am. Head to GC (South Rim). What’s the best route? Maps is showing two routes that are about the same time and distance. One is passing Sedona/Flagstaff and the other is passing Prescott. Do you recommend making a quick stop for lunch at Williams or should I head straight to the GC and grab food there? I’d love to catch sunset at the GC on this day and get acquainted with the area. Best place to see sunset? (Staying in Tusayan for days 1&2)
Day 2: Hike Bright Angel trail (~7mi total). Starting before sunrise to be done early. Free rest of the day. Recs on other view points to visit?
Day 3: Head to Page by 4-4:30am. Do you recommend driving at this time? Best route to get to Page from GC? Need to make it to Antelope by 9:30am for a tour, which might get cancelled. Thinking of doing Horseshoe bend after the tour or for sunset. Still need to figure out what else to do, do you recommend lake Powell? Any other recs? Not interested in kayaking. (Staying in Page)
Day 4: Head to Sedona by 4-4:30am. Would like to do a short hike once I get there. Trails I want to do are: Cathedral, Boynton, Soldier Pass, or Birthing Cave. Which 3 must I do? Will be in Sedona for 3 days. Saving long hike for full day in Sedona.
I am getting a Corolla, will this car be fine or do a need a 4×4?
Thank you!
Hi Liz,
A Toyota Corolla should be fine for your vacation. All roads between parks are fully paved and well-traveled.
Where you’re potentially going wrong is planning to “head to Page, Sedona, etc.” at 4:00-4:30 PM. All driving should be done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife (or livestock) that can ratchet up your risk of a car accident. Believe me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM at this time of year, so if you must depart in the morning, it’s safest to do so just as the sun’s coming up.
As for some of your other questions, the best route from PHX to Grand Canyon South Rim is via I-17 to US180 through the San Francisco Peaks, then hit AZ64 North. Since many Grand Canyon National Park restaurants are closed due to COVID-19, grabbing lunch in Williams, or Flagstaff would be a good idea. Flag (that’s what we call it around here) would probably have more choices of open restaurants. Another option would be to pick up a small cooler and buy snacks, sandwich fixings, etc., so you can save money on restaurant meals in the park.
The best place(s) to see sunset at the Grand Canyon is basically anywhere on the rim. Hopi Point is a popular spot, but it’s always crowded, plus you have to take the Hermit Road Shuttle to get there, you cannot drive there. My personal favorite spot (one of them, anyway, LOL) is Grandview Point. It’s a little “off the beaten path,” ~12 miles East of Grand Canyon Village. What I like about it, aside from the fact that you can drive your own vehicle there, is that it’s typically not as crowded as viewpoints in the Village, and it’s one of a handful of viewpoints where you can actually see all the way down to the Colorado River. Forward to the 1:08 mark on this video to get a “sneak preview” of what it looks like. FYI, the video promotes a tour, but again, you can drive your own vehicle there.
RE: your plan on Day 2, where you ask about “other viewpoints to visit,” after a 7 mile hike on the Bright Angel Trail, you will most likely be tired and sore! Visiting other viewpoints will probably be the last thing on your mind. Having hiked that trail myself in blazing hot weather, I can tell you that dinner and bed will probably ping first on your radar! If you are feeling up to more activities after your hike on Bright Angel, you might hop on the free Hermit’s Rest Shuttle and visit some of the overlooks there, or head back to Tusayan, and see the very cool IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.”
On Day 3, again, I don’t recommend hitting the road as early as you propose, but you might scoot your departure time back to ~5:30 AM so you have a little daylight to work with. That way, you could enjoy a couple of viewpoint stops on the East Rim Drive without risking arriving late to your Antelope Canyon tour. Wheels turning, no stops, the drive to Page, AZ, takes ~2.5 hours. Since that rarely happens, 3-3.5 hours might be more realistic to plan for. As for what you do afterward, you could certainly hit Horseshoe Bend. Allot anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to park, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. Other hikes that are very enjoyable in the immediate vicinity include but aren’t limited to the Hanging Garden Trail and the New Wave/Radio Tower Rock Loop. These are located near the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, AZ, so they are relatively easy to find, and don’t charge admission to enter (yet). If you want to go to Lake Powell, you will need to enter the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time. The National Park Pass also works.
In Sedona, there is no such thing as a “must do” trail, let alone 3! There is no shortage of beautiful hikes you can enjoy in Sedona, and if you have 3 days, that’s awesome. Cathedral Rock is definitely worthwhile. I personally am fond of the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. Not only is the scenery exquisite, a river runs through it, and at this time of year, the opportunity to get wet and cool off is definitely welcome. For more suggestions, visit http://www.HikeSedona.com, or simply inquire at your hotel or nearby visitors center. The locals are bound to have some personal recommendations of their own!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello, my husband and I are currently I’m scottsdale and driving to sedona, the grand canyon, also the horse shoe bend . As someone afraid of heights and cliffs and driving through mountains in general, I wanted to know how bad the 4 hour drive is ! I drove to Sedona yesterday and some of the twists and turns made me quite nervous.
Hi Anj!
The drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona, AZ, can be quite the white-knuckle experience. Fortunately, the drive to Page, AZ, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon isn’t nearly as twisty or cliffy (if that’s a proper word LOL), with the notable exception of one section: the road from Bitter Springs, AZ, to what’s known locally as “The Cut.” It travels up the side of the Echo Cliffs, and the view from it might be a bit much for you to handle, or you might fall in love with it, one of the two! Forward to the 1:00 mark on this video to see what I’m referring to; FYI, the video depicts the drive from Page, AZ, through the Cut, down the Echo Cliffs, so, in reverse order of what you’d be doing.
If you decide that driving this section of highway would have a negative impact on the quality of your experience, there is an alternative: US89T from The Gap, AZ, to Page, AZ. It skirts the Echo Cliffs on the East side, is also very scenic, but doesn’t traverse any major cliffs or mountainsides. It would also shave a few minutes off your drive time from Sedona. Map
BTW, if you preferred not to go through Oak Creek Canyon again, you could take AZ179 through the Village of Oak Creek to I-17, which is not as treacherous, but would add a few minutes to your drive.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello. We are planning to go on vacation from Nov 24 to 27th to Zion park then see Horseshoe bend in AZ. We live in Los Angeles, so what is the best way to go from and to. Where is the best place to stay. Do you think we can squeeze in Sedona or Williams AZ?
And also, I have a heart problem, do you think hiking to see the horseshoe bend will be a problem.Thank you
Hi Judith!
With 3 days to work with, Zion National Park and Horseshoe Bend is really all you’ll have time to do. What with Sedona, AZ, and Williams, AZ, being ~a 3-hour drive from Page, AZ, you’d need to add a couple more days minimum to your trip. Sedona alone deserves 3-5 days to fully enjoy and explore!
Another important consideration at the time of year you’re traveling is daylength, or more specifically, lack thereof. Any driving you do should be during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife (or even livestock) that can ratchet up your risk of a car accident. Believe me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temps are getting pretty chilly in November), where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In late November, sunrise occurs just after 7:00 AM, and sunset takes place around 5:00 PM.
Regarding hiking to Horseshoe Bend with a heart problem, only you and your physician can determine if this is an appropriate activity for you. I can tell you that the trail is .7 miles in length, one way, and was graded and partially paved a couple years ago to be flatter than it was in years past. Still, what with the length and the fact that you’ll be at an elevation above 4,000′ above sea level, you may with to give this walk a miss. Watch this video to get a sense of the Horseshoe Bend Overlook trail. If you decide that’s not the thing for you, another way to see Horseshoe Bend with minimal physical exertion is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart from the Page Municipal Airport (PGA), weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. At the time of year you’re traveling, weather can be cold, and you may encounter rain or light snow, so start monitoring local weather ~2 weeks before you set out.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello! My husband and I are traveling in early September northern AZ then Utah (the 5 national parks), then into CO to St Louis and have. What other slot canyons would you recommend other than Antelope that are still beautiful and free or not so pricey? Not sure we want to pay $100 for a rushed, crowded hour trip at upper antelope. Also do you have any other suggestions (hikes, sites, activities, etc) for Zion, Bryce, Grand Escalante, capital Reef and Arches? Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thank You!
Hi Lisa,
If you want to save money and still experience one of the area’s beautiful slot canyons, I would recommend Wire Pass Canyon. Wire Pass is situated between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, and while not quite free, it’s pretty darn close to it: it requires a $6.00 per person day use fee, which can be prepaid via Recreation.gov. It’s a fairly easy hike, too, with the exception of an 8-10′ drop-off, which you can go around if desired, but that will add more time onto your hike. If you wish, you can also venture a short distance into the Buckskin Gulch to make a nice full day out of it. The only caveat is that the access road to the trail head, the House Rock Valley Road, is unpaved. While it is passable for 2WD vehicles most of the time, if recent weather has brought any precipitation, a red clay slip-n-slide is what you’ll encounter, in which case, you should give it a miss unless a very expensive tow bill somehow appeals.
Another option to make a nice day out of a hike to Wire Pass and/or Buckskin would be to dove-tail that onto the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, which is relatively close by, and again, another easy, scenic (and free!) hike.
As for Zion, Bryce, Grand Staircase/Escalante, and the rest of the parks you plan to visit, there is no shortage of fun to be had on local trails! Which ones you choose to explore depends on your physical fitness level, timeframe, whether you’re traveling with kids or seniors, and other factors. Not knowing that makes it kinda hard to make recommendations, but you might start with this: The Best Hikes at Each of Utah’s Mighty 5 or The Mighty 5: The Ultimate Journey
I hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Did there use to be a trail from Walmart to Horseshoe bend?
Hi Mary,
It’s still there. Due to the fact that it’s unmaintained, and you would encounter several potentially dangerous obstacles, we don’t recommend you attempt to use it.
Alley 🙂
Hello! I am going to be driving from Phoenix to Horshoe bend in a few weeks. I am worried about making the drive due to having a Honda Civic and not really wanting to drive it through the mountains. Is there a way to get to horshoe bend from Phoenix without having to do that?
Thanks
Hey Sebastian,
The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, is pretty straightforward, and very scenic. Most of the uphill inclines are gradual, with the exception of the section of US89 that goes up the side of the Echo Cliffs just as you make the turn-off from Bitter Springs, AZ, before going through “The Cut.” Still, lots of folks in Honda Civics make that drive without a problem. If you want to play it safer, you have the option of skipping the afore-mentioned section of US89 and instead taking US89T from The Gap to Page, AZ. While that section of the road is a bit flatter, it still has some mild uphill grades. To see photos of it, visit USRoute89.com: Getting to Page AZ on US89T
If you really don’t trust your car to make the 5-hour drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, you can always fly up on Contour Airlines.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much!!
HI,
First of all thats a lot for this wonderful website, its really helpful.
I will be driving to Page on 7/31.
Are you aware of any open tour operators for Antelope Canyon that will allow a 5 year old and a 15 month old along with me and my wife.
Thanks
Hi Abhishek,
Children younger than 5 are welcome on Upper Antelope Canyon tours. You should be aware, however, that tours of Upper Antelope Canyon are now one-way through the canyon and not out-and-back as has been the case in years past. It is now required for all participants to navigate a half-mile long network of stairs and walkways up over a ridge and back down to the truck parking area. While this does not involve an excess of uphill walking (but a good amount of downhill), the walkways are completely exposed, and weather in July is very hot. This may not be terribly comfortable for those carrying infants or toddlers. Strollers are not allowed on the tours, but some soft-sided models of infant carriers are.
How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi. We’re driving from Phoenix to Lake Powell this week. I’m petrified of heights and highway dropp-offs. How scary is this drive? All driving will be done during the day. Thank you.
Hey Mary!
The only part of the drive from Phoenix to Lake Powell that may be problematic for you is the section of US89 leading from Bitter Springs up to Manson Mesa, where the town of Page, AZ, is situated. It has a few switchbacks that ascend the Echo Cliffs, which fortunately, don’t last too long. If someone else is doing the driving, you’ll be on the passenger side on the drive up. If you’d like to skip that altogether, however, one option is to take US89T, also known as Navajo Route 20, which starts at a small community called The Gap and enters Page, AZ, from the South via Coppermine Road. It also shortens the drive slightly. About the only disadvantage, if you can call it that, is that US89T bypasses Horseshoe Bend, so if you wanted to visit that, you’d have to double back a short distance down US89. Driving to Page, AZ, on US89T
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
My family and I are planning a trip to see Vegas, Arizona and Utah. I was wondering if you could let me know if we are cramming too many things to see during this trip and let me know if all this would be possible. Any tips and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We are going to be flying into Vegas on Sunday evening 8/22 and renting a car. The plan is to spend Sunday evening and Monday in Vegas and then drive to Page Arizona Monday night. Would you recommend Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon as far as Kayaking goes or both. Then we would like to see Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Slot Canyons, Canyonlands and Zion. We will have to drive back to IL to make it home for Sunday morning. Thanks!
Hi Justyna,
So, am I assuming correctly that you won’t be driving back to Las Vegas, and flying home, but driving your rental car all the way back to IL? If so, you need to figure on 2-3 days to drive from Moab, UT. So if you spend Monday 08/23 in Page, AZ, you’ll have until Thursday, 8/26 for sightseeing, and that’s not much time at all.
It takes ~5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ. If you wanted to do a kayak activity, stick with one. The Antelope Canyon kayak tour has grown exponentially in popularity, to the point that there’s a daily “flotilla” going out there every day. If that doesn’t appeal, then the Horseshoe Bend Kayak tour might be a better option. On that one, you’d drive down to Lees Ferry (~1 hour from Page), rent a kayak, get backhauled to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle the 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend back to the Ferry. Although the kayak portion is unguided, lots of first-time kayakers do it and have a great time. There several companies that offer this service, but the one we’re most familiar with is Kayak Horseshoe Bend.
After doing that, you could drive to Bryce (~3 hours from Page, AZ), spend the night in that area, then head to Moab, UT, the following day with a pop-by through Capitol Reef if desired. Honestly, though, a quick overnight in Moab, UT, won’t be nearly enough to fully enjoy and explore that area. Moab, UT really deserves at least 4-5 days to do it justice.
If I’ve misinterpreted your comment, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley. Super excited was able to book Antelope last night with Dixie tours. Can you recommend the best time of day for visit? She was the only site booking tours…reservation open, right? This is legit? Thanks! Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Congrats on booking your Antelope Canyon tour! Yes, Dixie Ellis tours is completely legit, one of two authorized Lower Antelope Canyon tour operators. As for the best time of day to visit Antelope Canyon, most regard mid-day as the “golden hour” because the sun is directly overhead, brightly illuminating the canyon walls. Honestly, though, take whatever time slot you can get. With all the tour operators having to operate at limited capacity, tickets will be hard to come by this summer, so be grateful for what you got, enjoy it, and be sure to tip your tour guide generously. It will certainly be appreciated!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Definitely will do. What amount is customary? Also we can visit horseshoe on our own, correct? Don’t need to buy another tour? Doing monument valley tour tomorrow afternoon. Can’t wait. Thanks for sharing all your info!!
Hello Alley, thank you for taking the time out to answer all the questions they are very helpful. Me and my fiancé are planning a 5/6 day vacation to the Grand Canyon in August-October (whichever we can find the cheapest flights for) and I have quite a few questions if you don’t mind answering, we are flying from Virginia. Ours sights we are visiting for are the Grand Canyon, preferably the South Rim, Horseshoe Bend and Sedona State Park to do some hiking.
First Question: We were originally looking to stay at Grand Canyon Inn since it wasn’t that far from the Grand Canyon and we didn’t want to spend a whole lot on lodging since we don’t plan on staying in the room a lot, but after doing a little more research I see Horseshoe Bend is 3 hrs away. We were really hoping to get there early morning to see the views, so is there a middle part town or place you recommend us staying at so we don’t have to drive 3 hrs in the early morning?
Second Question: Which airport would you recommend us flying into? We were thinking Flagstaff/Pulliam since it wasn’t far from the Grand Canyon but we weren’t sure.
Third Question: How much time would you give us to be able to fully enjoy the Grand Canyon views and the Horseshoe Bend?
Thank you so much!
Hi Crystal,
Your inquiry shows that you sent it in on May 10th?!?! I sure hope that’s not the case, because I try to answer questions within 24-48 hours of posting! If yours slipped through the cracks I am so sorry!
If you’re able to pick and choose when to visit, October is awesome. Temperatures are nearly perfect, and even though it’s still busy, it’s mostly just adults out traveling.
You are correct that Horseshoe Bend is approximately a 3 hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim. It might even take you longer because there are over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon Viewpoints, all with varying geological features and perspectives on the canyon, between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. Stopping at each of them, you could easily make the drive to the South Rim from Page, AZ, a leisurely 4-hour trip. If you want to get to Horseshoe Bend early in the morning, it would be best to stay overnight at Page, AZ. The only ‘midway’ point between Grand Canyon South Rim and Page would be Cameron, AZ, but that would still put you ~90 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend.
As for the best airport to fly into, Flagstaff/Pulliam would certainly be a good option, it is centrally located between Grand Canyon South Rim (~90 minutes away), Page (~2.5 hours), and Sedona (~1 hour). However, you should be aware that there are very few direct flights into that airport. Most of the time, you’d end up having to connect through PHX anyway. After all’s said and done, you wouldn’t save much time, and probably wouldn’t save any money. For these and other reasons, most people opt to fly into one of the majors, such as Phoenix/Sky Harbor (~4.5 hours from Page and GC South Rim, ~2 hours from Sedona) or Las Vegas/McCarran (~4.5 hours from Sedona, GC, or Page).
Regarding how much time to spend at the Grand Canyon, 1-2 days is enough for most visitors, ditto for Page, AZ to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon (they are reopening Monday 7/12!). For Sedona, you should definitely allot ~3 days, and if possible, place it last on your itinerary. Sedona is a great place to chill and “decompress” before heading back to reality!
I sure hope that helps, and that it didn’t really come over 2 months late.
Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello, we are a group of 8 adults and driving from Sedona to Grand Canyon on May 27th. After seeing the Grand Canyon is it possible to drive out to Horseshoe Bend and spend some time there and drive back to Sedona. Since Antelope Canyon is closed we thought instead spending a separate day driving all the way to Horseshoe bend would waste a day. So we are thinking of combining the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe bend in 1 day.
Our itinerary is below:
May 25th – fly in to PHX and then drive to our hotel Hilton in Sedona.
May 26th – look at local sights, vortexes, chapel, Devils bridge, village, meteor site and local restaurants
May 27th – Grand Canyon day trip, village and then possibly do Horseshoe bend
May 28th – Early morning hot air balloon ride in Sedona, local lunch, 4pm Pink Jeep tour, evening local dinner and town trolley ride
May 29th – Open – maybe relax in the hotel, enjoy the spa etc
May 30th fly back
Hey Mark,
Sorry, friend, visiting both the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip out of Sedona, AZ, isn’t realistic.
It takes ~2.5 hours, one way, to drive from Sedona, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes upwards of 2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon Village to Page, AZ, where Horseshoe Bend is located. It would then take ~3 hours to drive back to Sedona, AZ, after visiting Horseshoe Bend. So, that’s roughly 8 hours driving, bare minimum, to fit all that into the course of a single day. For visiting Grand Canyon South Rim, you should allow for 3-4 hours to wait in line at the entrance gate, find a place to park, do some cursory exploration around the GC Village area (the main commerce area of the park), and maybe grab lunch somewhere. The trip from Grand Canyon Village to Page, AZ, although only ~130 miles, can easily take longer than the 2.5 hours I initially quoted because it’s a very scenic drive, with speed limits varying from 25-45 miles per hour, and you’ll no doubt be tempted to stop at over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints before exiting the park and entering the Navajo Indian Reservation. So this 2.5-hour drive can easily turn into 3.5-4 hours if you aren’t careful. You would then want to allot ~90 minutes-2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, including parking your vehicle, walking to the rim, taking photos, then walking back to your vehicle. Then you’re facing another 3 hours on the road? Sorry, not my idea of a vacation!
If you can’t spare a separate day to visit Page, AZ, and Horseshoe Bend, save it for another trip when you can spend 2-3 days in Page, AZ, and really enjoy it, hopefully when the Antelope Canyons reopen for tours!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, we are traveling to the Grand Canyon (south rim) on May 27th from Scottsdale. We are staying in Grand Canyon Village on the 27th and plan to drive to see Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell (Navajo Canyon boat tour from Antelope Point Marina) on the 28th. Then drive down to Sedona and stay there from 28th – June 1st. Do you think we are trying to pack too much into 2 days to see the Grand Canyon on the 27th and Page on the 28th and still have time to get back to Sedona before it gets too late. We have a tour at 1PM from Antelope Point Marina, so we were thinking of leaving the Grand Canyon by 10:30AM. We were hoping to see Horseshoe Bend after the 2 hour boat tour, but not sure if time will permit. Do you have any advice on driving routes to take from Grand Canyon to Page? I have heard about detours, so am concerned about not making the 1PM tour. Also, what is the best route from Page to Sedona and what is the latest we should leave Page to have a safe trip to Sedona the night of the 28th?
Hi Patricia,
“Do I think you are trying to pack too much into 2 days to see the Grand Canyon on the 27th and Page on the 28th and still have time to get back to Sedona before it gets too late?”
Yes.
The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ — wheels turning, no stops, traveling via the shortest route — typically takes ~3 hours. However, it is a very scenic drive, with opportunities to stop at over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon on the way, plus points of interest in the Navajo Reservation (when it is open to tourism). You can easily turn that into a 4-5 hour drive if inclined to do so. If your boat tour departs at 1:00 PM, they’ll probably want you there to check in at 12:30 PM, meaning you’d have to leave the Grand Canyon no later than 9:30 AM.
90 minutes to 2 hours should be allotted to visit Horseshoe Bend, including the time it takes to park your vehicle, walk out to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle.
Then you’re facing a 3-hour drive to Sedona, which all of which should be done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is not encouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and possibly having deer, elk, and other animals around. A collision with a large animal is not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. The stretch of road between Flagstaff, AZ, and Sedona, AZ, through Oak Creek Canyon is especially narrow and windy. I’ve driven it in the dark and let’s just say I’ll never do it again 😉 Sunset on May 28th occurs at ~7:30 PM, meaning you’d have to leave Page, AZ, at 4:30-4:45 PM at the latest.
I am not sure how long you have in Sedona, AZ, but if more than 2-3 days, I’d suggest overnighting in Page, AZ, on the 28th. If that’s not feasible, as much as I hate to suggest it, I’d recommend taking the boat tour off the table. It would still be possible to visit the lake, but having anything time sensitive scheduled for a day where you have so much driving to do is not my idea of a vacation.
Right now all roads are open and passable. If any detour are to come into play at all, it would most likely be AZ64 East from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ. When that was in place, it became necessary for people traveling from GC South Rim to Page, AZ, to detour all the way to Flagstaff, which adds another 90 minutes to 2 hours onto an already long drive. For the current status of that road, I’d recommend monitoring the official website of Grand Canyon National Park for public health updates.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, thank you so much for taking your time to reply to each and every one of us! My friend and I want to visit the Horseshoe Bend on 4/24, but also want to visit the Lower East Waterhole Canyons to see the Great Wall. I read that we need a general admission and a backpacking permit. Where can we get those? The official website wasn’t very descriptive and the visitor center is temporarily closed on Google Maps.
Thanks again for all the help that you’ve provided in the past.
Hi Ethan,
I am so sorry I did not see your inquiry in time for your visit!
Unfortunately, you would have found that the Waterholes Canyons are closed along with the Antelope Canyons, and all other slot canyons and tourist attractions on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. We hope you were able to find your way around, and get suggestions of other slot canyons to explore, such as Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, and/or Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon, near Kanab, UT.
Hope you had a good trip.
Alley 🙂
Hi! We are traveling to Lake Powell at the end of June and then heading to Antelope Canyon and on to the North Rim Grand Canyon. I’m know the Navajo highways are closed but can we get to the North Rim from Antelope Canyon straight? Confused which roads are exactly closed right now.
Hi Nicole,
I’m happy to report that all roads, including AZ64 East from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, are open and passable, including those that traverse the Navajo Indian Reservation. The Navajo Tribe is still discouraging contact between outsiders and reservation residents, so make sure your vehicle is fully fueled and that you are carrying adequate water and snacks anytime you pass through Navajo Indian Land. You want to avoid stopping if at all possible.
Because the land-side segments of Antelope Canyon are on Navajo Tribal Land, they may be closed to tours at the time of your visit. Should that remain the case, it is still possible to kayak into the waterside of Antelope Canyon on Lake Powell, then hike into the pre-slot portion of the lower canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal Land.
When you drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon North Rim, no part of the drive is closed, but you’ll be passing through Navajo land between the area just South of Horseshoe Bend, down to Bitter Springs, AZ, where you turn off on US89A, and part of Marble Canyon. The rest of the way to the North Rim, you’ll be on mostly Federal land. Map
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley, your responses are fantastic and I would love more info about accessing antelope canyon through the water side. This will be my first trip and I’m curious about how to best go about kayaking into the water side of the canyon and the hike into the lower canyon. I’ve seen many ads for kayak tours, but I’m guessing it would be better to just rent kayaks for this type of access? We will be going to the horseshoe bend overlook in the morning, and then hoping to grab some kayaks and make it in the back way of antelope canyon. Where would be the best place/area to rent from, Im guessing the back haul will make a difference in how to go about it. Sorry, I wish I had more knowledge of this area, this will be my first visit to Arizona
Hey Paul!
This is an excellent question. Fortunately, if you prefer to rent your own kayak and guide yourself into the waterside of Lower Antelope, you are perfectly welcome to do so! Several companies in Page, AZ, including kayak tour companies, offer kayak rentals, such as:
– Lake Powell Paddleboard & Kayak, (928) 645-4017, http://www.lakepowellpaddleboards.com
– WazSUP Kayak Rental, (602) 233-2847, http://www.wazsupkayaks.com
– Hidden Canyon Kayak, (928) 660-1836, http://www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com
– Lake Powell Rentals & Retail, (928) 614-8573, http://www.lakepowellvacations.com
– Kayak Lake Powell, (928) 660-0778, http://www.kayakpowell.com
– Paddle Lake Powell, (928) 660-2182, http://www.paddlelakepowell.com
As for any backhauling being involved, in the case of Antelope Canyon, there is none. You simply launch out of Antelope Point Marina and go into the canyon from there. It’s pretty self-explanatory, and your kayak rental outlet will supply you with maps, roof mounting equipment, etc.
The only instance in which you would have to factor in time/logistics of a backhaul is if you wanted to paddle through Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon. In that case, you would have to drive down to Lees Ferry, rent a kayak, get backhauled to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle the 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River back to Lees Ferry.
BTW, kayaking to Antelope Canyon is best done in the earlier morning hours for lack of wind and minimal chop from larger boat wakes. So, do your kayak trip in the morning, then visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook instead of the other way around.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi my wife and I are driving into Page on Saturday, June 5th in the evening. We would like to see Horseshoe Bend bright and early for sunrise on Sunday, and then go to Antelope Marina to kayak and then hike through parts of Antelope Canyon. What time does the parking lot open for Horseshoe Bend, and do you think we will find a spot at sunrise? Additionally, do you know how long the hike from the parking lot to Horseshoe Canyon is? Thanks for your help!
Hi Daniel!
Sunrise is a great time to visit Horseshoe Bend. Crowds are typically smaller, making it easier to find a parking space, and temperatures are cooler, a very important consideration at the time of year you’re visiting. In early June, sunrise occurs at around 5:00 AM. The parking lot usually opens right then, maybe shortly after.
The hike from the parking lot to the rim is .7 miles, one way. The trail, partially paved and partially graded, is fairly even, with a couple of mild dips and hills. Be sure you carry enough water for yourself and any other members of your traveling party. If you decide that the hike is more than you can manage, another way to see Horseshoe Bend is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and usually contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. While neither aircraft will actually land at the Bend, they will still show you a ton of amazing scenery, in addition to Horseshoe Bend, in just a few minutes time in the air!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We are planning on visiting the grand canyon on april 29th from vegas. We are a couple, so just 2 people.
Q1) What is the best option for us, to take a tour or to rent a car and go by ourselves? we don’t want to sleep over, we want to go bas to Vegas same day.
Q2) What is the must see spots over there? We don’t want a lot of hiking.
Q3) We wanted to see the Antelope canyon but from what we hear it’s closed to visitor. Is there a way to still see it? and if yes does it require a lot of hiking?
Q4) Is it worth taking a helicopter tour ?
Thank you for your help 🙂
Hi Lara!
Thanks for your very clear and concise inquiry 🙂
Q1) The most cost-effective option, offering the most freedom and flexibility is to self-drive. All roads between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon South Rim are fully-paved and well-traveled, so there’s no getting lost! The drive will take ~4.5 hours each way, so get an early start on the day, especially if you want to stop over at Hoover Dam, Route 66, etc.
Q2) The “must-see” spots at Grand Canyon South Rim can be seen from the Grand Canyon Village Historic District by walking the easy, paved Rim Trail, and maybe utilizing the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle to visit some of the viewpoints West of the Village. Bring a picnic lunch with you, or plan on getting to one of the rimside restaurants by 11:00 AM for lunch. The Grand Canyon Railway pulls in between 11:15-11:30, and once that happens, it will be almost impossible to get a table.
Q3) Forget about Antelope Canyon this time around. For one, the popular walking tours are closed due to COVID-19, and Page, AZ, the nearest town to the canyons, is ~a 3-hour drive from GC South Rim. You would then be facing a 4.5-5 hour drive back to Las Vegas. Plan a return visit when this COVID-19 mess has been resolved.
Q4) A helicopter tour would be a wonderful addition to your trip! It would enable you to see areas of the Grand Canyon inaccessible to even the fittest of hikers. These depart from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) just outside the park. Flights range from 25-45 minutes. If possible, spring for the longer Grand Kingdom flight on the Eco-Star EC130 helicopter. Whatever you do, be sure to book your Grand Canyon air tour ASAP.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley love your responses!! I need some advice! Me and my brother are wanting to travel from Tampa, Florida early may. We’re thinking 5-7 days. We want to either fly into Arizona or Utah but have no idea how to start. We know we want to see the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon, Zion, Sedona – Birthing Cave/Seven Sacred Pools, Devils Bridge, and anything else. If you have an advice on easy/short hikes (we are beginners). We plan on renting a car but want the shortest distances between each place. Where should we stay, what route should we take, etc. Please let me know we are lost lol!
Hi Brenda,
First of all, since your trip is right around the corner, where you should stay is anywhere you can find availability. Hotels in the areas you wish to visit typically book out in advance, so don’t be too particular about accommodations. You’re probably too late to stay inside the various parks, but the gateway communities may still have availability. Bottom line: book lodging ASAP!
As to where you should fly into, most people use Las Vegas, NV, as their staging city, seconded by Phoenix, AZ. Another popular option is to fly into LAS and out of PHX if rental car prices are reasonable. If you are able to manage the latter option, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Early flight to LAS, get rental car, drive to Zion National Park (~3 hours), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, overnight in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT
Day 2: 2nd day/night in Zion – lots of easy hikes in Zion Canyon, but you have to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle to get to the trailheads, which requires an advance ticket purchase
Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon (~2 hours from Bryce), overnight in Bryce area
Day 4: Drive to Page, AZ (~3 hours), optional stop to hike Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail (mile marker 19 of US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT), overnight in Page
Day 5: Kayak Antelope Canyon (if landside tours are not yet open), visit Horseshoe Bend, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim in afternoon, overnight in Grand Canyon area
Day 6: Drive to Sedona, AZ (~2.5 hours from GC), overnight in Sedona ***BTW Birthing Cave is rated as a ‘moderate’ hike, 7 Sacred Pools is rated easier, but parking might be difficult to find*** Easiest Hikes in Sedona, AZ
Day 7: 2nd day/night in Sedona, or drive to PHX (~2 hours)
Custom trip map
If you find that you get a better deal flying into/out of Vegas, the drive from Sedona, AZ, to Vegas would be ~4.5 hours.
If room availability dictates, flip-flopping this itinerary might be necessary.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
What are the viewing hours for Horseshoe Bend if there are any? Me and a couple friends are doing the Angels Landing Hike on May 14, 2021 around 8AM and plan on leaving before 3pm to drive towards Horseshoe Bend. Will we make it to see the Sunset?
Hey Kenneth!
Horseshoe Bend is open from sunrise to sunset. In mid-May, sunset in Page, AZ, occurs at around 7:30 PM local time (Utah is one hour ahead of AZ). It takes ~90 minutes-2 hours to drive from Zion to Page, so if you were to leave Zion by 3:00 PM, you should make it to Horseshoe Bend in time for sunset. However, we don’t advise driving back to Zion from Page, AZ, after sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in the more rural areas of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that can ratchet up your risk of a car accident. Believe me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Best to stay overnight in Page, AZ, for a more comfortable and safer experience.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, are busses allowed into the horseshoe bend parking lot now?
Yes, they are! Note that buses with a 35+ passenger capacity must pay a $140 parking fee.
Hi Alley
We are travelling by rented car on April 29th from Yavapai Lodge Grand Canyon to Springhill Suites Marriot, Springdale, UT ( Zion) with the stop in Page to see the Horseshoe Bend. GPS is showing we have to go south via Flagstaff and then North to Page.
QQ1) Is there a way to avoid Flagstaff to go from GC to Page or Zion? How long will the drive take to Page/Horseshoe Bend and then to Zion?
QQ2) If we drive early AM, say 5AM, is it safe to drive or is it dark and should push drive time to say 7AM?
QQ3) Are there Gas stations on the road to fill gas or we need to carry 1or more gas cans?
Hi Rajesh,
Thank you for your well-organized and timely inquiry.
I will attempt to answer in kind 😉
QQ1) Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the detour through Flagstaff in order to travel from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Horseshoe Bend and Page, AZ, will take roughly 4-5 hours, then the drive from Page, AZ, to Zion will take ~2 hours.
QQ2) It depends on which state you’re in. On April 29th, sunrise in Arizona, which is on Mountain Standard Time, occurs at around 5:30 AM, with “twilight” beginning at 5:04 AM. In Utah, which is on Mountain Daylight Time, sunrise on 04/29 occurs at 6:37 AM with twilight period beginning at 6:09 AM.
QQ3) You shouldn’t have a problem finding gas stations along your proposed route. The area you want to avoid stopping in is between Flagstaff, AZ, and Page, AZ, which is Navajo Indian Land. The Tribal leadership is discouraging outsiders from having contact with reservation residents, so make sure your vehicle’s tank is fully fueled, and that you have some water and snacks to tide you over until you arrive in Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi my name is Julia
I’m going to Las Vegas 04/03 until 07. After I will go to Los Angeles
But my dreams is explore the Grand Canyon. I don’t know about the park or what park is more near that 2 cities. Do you can help me ? I saw beautiful pick in the park lol
Hi Julia,
The Grand Canyon is in the State of Arizona, East of Las Vegas, NV.
The South Rim is where first-time visitors are recommended to go as it has more square mileage of the canyon that can be explored by private vehicles, and offers more in the way of visitor services (hotels, restaurants, etc.).
The drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Grand Canyon South Rim takes approximately 4.5 hours, one way. While that is doable as a day trip, weather permitting, we recommend, if at all possible, that you plan to at least spend one night there. That would make for a nicer experience all the way around. Grand Canyon hotels
Upon arrival in Las Vegas, you will find certain Grand Canyon tours being aggressively marketed to folks like yourself who are not familiar with the park. Know that these tours go to Grand Canyon West, which is a Native American Tribal Park, and not part of the National Park. Grand Canyon West is closer to Las Vegas (~2.5 hours drive), which is advantageous in its own way, and offers experiences not available in the National Park, such as helicopter flights to the canyon floor, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, etc. Should you opt for one of these tours, you’ll still have a good time, but do plan for a return visit when you can give Grand Canyon National Park the time it deserves.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Planning a trip from San Diego to Horse shoe bend and Antelope which best route to drive? Any other tour destination to visit within the area, any suggestions? Thank you 😊 Stay safe
Hi Leticia,
The best route to travel from San Diego, CA, to Page, AZ (nearest town to Horseshoe Bend), is to get on I-15, take that as far as St. George, UT, then take secondary roads as directed from St. George, UT, to Page, AZ. All totaled, that’s about a 10-hour drive, so you might want to break it up in Las Vegas, NV. That’s about the mid-way point between SD and Page.
BTW, the Antelope Canyons have not yet reopened to tours due to COVID-19. Right now, the best alternative is to kayak into the waterside of Antelope Canyon on Lake Powell, then hike into the pre-slot portion of the Lower canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal Land.
As for “other tour destinations” in the area, that’s literally a loaded question! Page, AZ, is part of a popular 7-day tour itinerary called the “Best Of The Grand Circle,” which includes the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Sedona. Due to the Navajo Tribal Land closure, you’d have to take Monument Valley out of the itinerary, but you’d still have a great trip!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello I am going to the Grand Canyon with a group of friends on Saturday. How early should we get there? We’re not trying to catch the sunrise but trying to get there before it gets packed.
Hi- thanks for all your help! I’m heading west in May. Here is the packed itinerary. I’m wondering if the drive between each of these places is easy or if we should consider shuttles or even splurge for a driver for any leg that may be more challenging.
Sedona-Grand Canyon- horseshoe bend and antlelope canyon (I hope the kayaking will be ok for beginners)- Bryce and Vegas. Is Valley or afire worth a quick stop? Thanks again!
Hey Colleen,
You’re right that your itinerary is packed, and I hope you have at least 9-10 days to do all of it. Otherwise, you’ll have to trim back your wish list a bit.
Self-driving is the best way to go to ensure maximum freedom and flexibility. One piece of information I wish I had is your exact travel dates. That is the key to advising you on how best to visit the Grand Can, and which side you should visit.
Assuming you are flying in and out of Las Vegas, you could do something like this:
Day 1: early flight to Las Vegas, drive to Zion National Park (~3 hours), with optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, overnight in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT
Day 2: sightseeing in Zion on the Zion Canyon Shuttle, or visit trailheads accessible on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (UT9), 2nd night in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT
Day 3: drive to Bryce Canyon (~2-2.5 hours, depending on where you stayed at the night before), overnight in Bryce Canyon, OR spend 3rd night in Kanab, UT
Day 4: Drive to Page, AZ (~90 minutes from Kanab, ~2 hours from Springdale), optional stop to hike Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos trail, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5: First thing in AM, kayak Antelope Canyon (guided tours are OK for first-time kayakers), visit Horseshoe Bend, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim ***depending on the closure status of AZ64 East from Cameron to Desert View, this drive could take anywhere from 3-5 hours; if it remains closed, you’ll have to detour down to Flagstaff to get to Grand Canyon South Rim*** overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 6: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 7: Drive to Sedona, AZ (~2.5 hours), possible activities: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Cathedral or Bell Rock Trails
Day 8: 2nd day/night in Sedona
Day 9: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4 hours from Sedona), optional stop at Hoover Dam, fly home or overnight in Vegas before flying home next morning
Should your visit be scheduled for anytime after May 15th, another option would be to visit Grand Canyon North Rim. Finding lodging there is next to impossible, so you would be best off visiting as a day trip from Kanab, UT, or perhaps flying over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page, AZ, Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers flying. Flights don’t land at the North Rim, but would show you a lot of beautiful scenery in addition to the Grand Canyon! Westwind Air Service Page-Grand Canyon Air Tours
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! If you need to bounce more ideas off us, feel free to contact us directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello – I’m so happy I came across this site! Ok, here is my question. I’m traveling from Sedona (Enchantment Resort) to Horseshoe Bend next week. The route google maps is showing me is: Follow Boynton Pass Rd, Dry Creek Rd and AZ-89A N to N State Rte 89A in Sedona19 min (8.4 mi); Follow N State Rte 89A and US-89 N to your destination in Page (2 hr 45 min (159 mi)). Does this mean that I don’t have to get delayed by detouring through Flagstaff? Second question: I have read that you can see Horseshoe bend in 1-2 hours. I’m traveling with kids 9 and 12, is it possible on our own? And lastly, what’s another easy to access park near Horseshoe that we can visit (Lake Powell)? Thank you
Hey Miami!
Google Maps has indeed steered you in the right direction, and you might also notice it has steered you through Flagstaff, AZ. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you’ll get delayed by a detour. Coming from Sedona to Horseshoe Bend, you have to pass through there anyway. The “detour through Flag” (that’s what we call it around here) I’ve been referring to applies to those traveling from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, or vice versa. Since AZ64 East from Desert View to Cameron, AZ, is closed, folks have to travel all the way down to Flag then bounce back up North to get to their destination. But again, it doesn’t apply to you if you’re just traveling to/from Sedona.
In answer to your other queries, yes, you absolutely can visit Horseshoe Bend on your own. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset, and you simply go visit at your leisure. I would recommend allowing closer to 2 hours to park, walk out to the rim, take pictures, then walk back to your vehicle.
If you wish to get your feet wet in Lake Powell, without paying the $30/vehicle entrance fee, it is possible to do this at The Chains on the Eastern flank of Glen Canyon Dam. Fair warning, it’s a bit of a hike down to the waterline, and back up, but you can easily dovetail this activity onto a hike to the Hanging Gardens. Here’s a video of a young family visiting both places (Horseshoe Bend, Hanging Gardens) from back in December.
Now, if you are planning on doing this as a day trip from Sedona, AZ, bear in mind that the drive from Sedona, AZ, to Page, AZ, takes about 3 hours, each way. Your days at this time of year are still relatively short, with sunrise occurring at about 6:20 AM and sunset taking place just before 7:00 PM. That’s ~12.5 hours of daylight, and you’re already proposing to use up half of that behind the wheel. I’m not saying that it can’t be done, but just keep an eye on the time so that you’re not doing any of the drive back to Sedona at night, especially the section between Flag and Sedona on US89A. It’s very narrow and windy, and pretty scary to navigate in the dark. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in the more rural parts of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, due to roads in these areas being very dimly lit, and populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife that can elevate your risk of a collision. That’s definitely not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black and cold, where cell service is going to be spotty (if you can get any bars at all) and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Be sure that you are back on the road to Sedona, AZ, by 3:45 PM at the latest, or better yet, spend the night in Page, AZ, so you don’t have to rush getting back.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley! Your responses to questions are fantastic, so I’m hoping you can help us plan our 4 day upcoming trip at the end of March. We’re driving from Murrieta CA and we’d like to make stops at Williams AZ, Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend, & Vegas. Not sure if we’d be able to squeeze in Sedona or not. We’d prefer to have Vegas be our last stop, but we’re open to the best options. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Hey Sheri,
Honest opinion? You should either a. save Sedona, AZ, for another trip or b. be prepared to do A LOT of driving. Personally, I would recommend option “A” (visit Sedona at another time). Not that Sedona isn’t beautiful, it is, incredibly so, and is also a big area with lots to see and do. It really deserves 3-4 days to fully enjoy and explore. Even then, visitors often report feeling as though they’d only scratched the surface of all the area has to offer!
Another thing to keep in mind: end of March is the transitional period between winter and spring. You can reasonably expect days that are sunny and brisk, but should also be prepared for Old Man Winter to attempt to send one last snowstorm through just for giggles and grins. Pack a jacket, gloves, and a few pieces of warmer clothing, just in case, and should you encounter a snowstorm in your travels, the safest approach is to wait it out, not try to power through it. Hotels are usually very understanding about guests having to cancel/reschedule under those circumstances.
So assuming that your 4 days don’t include travel from/back to Murrieta, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Drive from Murietta, CA, to Sedona (~7 hours), overnight in Sedona
Day 2: Full day in Sedona, 2nd night; possible activities: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, visiting Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Palatki Heritage site, hike Cathedral or Bell Rock Trails One Day Itinerary in Sedona
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours from Sedona), stop in Williams, AZ, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4: Drive to Page, AZ/Horseshoe Bend — due to the closure of AZ64 East from Desert View to Cameron, AZ (COVID-19), it will be necessary to detour through Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 to Page, AZ; this has turned what used to be a 3 hour drive into a 5-hour drive. Overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5: Drive to Las Vegas, NV (~5 hours from Page, AZ), overnight in Las Vegas
Day 6: Drive back to Murietta, CA (~5 hours from Las Vegas)
Custom trip map
If those 4 days included your travel to/from Murietta, CA, you’ll have to trim down your wish list even further. Take Sedona, AZ, off the table, maybe hit Las Vegas, NV, and Page, AZ, then save Grand Canyon South Rim for another time when the normal travel route is reopened. Should you take us up on that suggestion, there might still be a way you can see the Grand Canyon without all that time on the road: fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes operate out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. A Page-Grand Canyon air tour would last ~1.5 hours, and show you a ton of other beautiful scenery in addition to the Grand Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hey, I was reading the comments, and I love the way you help people with their trips,
we are three girls who are planning a day trip in April to horseshoe bend from las vegas, could you give us advice, and what other places we can visit on the way there, do you think we can do it? we have a flight from Las Vegas the same day at 11 pm to come back.
Hi Yudy,
A day trip from Las Vegas to Horseshoe Bend can be done, but it’s not ideal.
First off, it takes approximately 4.5 hours, each way, to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, and back. So that’s 9-10 hours you’ll be spending behind the wheel on a day when you have about 13 hours of daylight to work with. In mid-April, sunrise occurs just before 6:00 AM and sunset takes place at at about 7:00 PM. Why is this information important? Because you want to be very careful about driving at night, especially in the more rural areas of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Roads in these areas are very dimly lit, plus they are populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife that can elevate your risk of a collision. That’s definitely not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is going to be spotty (if you can get any bars at all) and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Assuming your flight leaves Las Vegas at 11:00 PM, I assume you’ll need to check in anywhere from 1-2 hours ahead? So, assuming you must be at the airport at 9:00 PM at the latest, after dropping off your rental car, I would recommend shooting for an 8:00 PM arrival time in Las Vegas. This means you’ll need to leave Page, AZ, at 3:30 PM, maybe 4:00 PM at the latest. You’ll need at least 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, including the time it takes to park your vehicle, pay the entrance fee ($10 for standard passenger vehicles, $35 for light commercial vehicles), walk out to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. If you were to leave Las Vegas, NV, by 6:00 AM, you’d arrive in Page, AZ, at about 11:00 AM, so that would give you enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend and maybe a couple of other sites before getting back on the road.
As for “other places you can visit on the way there,” I wouldn’t even attempt it seeing as though your time is going to be so limited. If at all possible, try to free up enough time to spend the night in Page, AZ. That will make for a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience. Plus if you do that, that would enable you to visit Valley of Fire State Park and perhaps drive through Zion National Park on the way to or from Page, AZ. Doing it as a day trip, you just don’t have enough time for all that.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you for all the great information.
How long does it take to go from South Rim of Grand Canyon to Hurricane, UT? What is there to do in Williams, AZ that you’d recommend?
Are the Walnut Canyon Cliff Dwellers open?
THank you!
Hi Jodi,
Wowzer, that trip from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Hurricane, UT, is going to be quite a haul, along the lines of ~6-7 hours. Adding insult to injury, it is presently necessary to detour all the way down to Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 toward Page, AZ, and Hurricane, UT. This is due to the closure of a critical component of the shortest travel route on Navajo Indian land being closed due to COVID-19. If the prospect of making such a long drive in one go doesn’t appeal, you might consider breaking up the drive by staying overnight in Page, AZ, so you can visit Horseshoe Bend. The trip from the South Rim to Page, AZ, is ~4.5 hours (again, you have to do that detour); the trip to Hurricane, UT, would then be ~2.5 hours.
In Williams, AZ, the Grand Canyon Railway is generally regarded as the #1 activity, but it takes an awfully long time to make a trip that would only take you ~1 hour each way by car. Train vs. drive to the Grand Canyon? Other popular activities/attractions are Bearizona Wildlife Park, the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, Route 66 kitsch, and Sycamore Falls, just to name a few. Things To Do In Williams, AZ
As for the cliff dwellings in Walnut Canyon National Monument, they are open, but know that to get to that area you must descend and ascend a lot of stairs. Also, the Monument is operating on limited hours due to COVID-19 (9:00 AM-4:00 PM IIRC).
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Yudy!
We’re planning to go to Horseshoe bend and other sites in April. What is a better route to drive from? From Vegas or Phoenix! Also we’ll be with out 1/2 yr old child. Thank you in advance.
Hi Keila,
Yudy may have already traveled and as such, is not likely to be monitoring this website, but I am happy to answer your question!
Whether you drive from Las Vegas, NV or Phoenix, AZ, to Horseshoe Bend won’t make much of a difference time-wise. Either route will take ~4-4.5 hours. The trip from Phoenix to Horseshoe Bend, IMO, is more scenic as it will take you from the desert to the mountains and back to the desert. The saguaro cactus forest between Phoenix and Verde Valley is just stunning, as are the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Forward to the 3:17 mark on this video to see some of what I’m talking about; the footage is a little dated, but the scenery hasn’t changed much.
Should you be able to get a better deal on flights in to Las Vegas, that drive has its own merits, such as the opportunity to detour through Valley of Fire State Park, and the scenery of the Virgin River Gorge. Any detour, though, will add more time onto an already long drive, which may be pushing the endurance limits of a 6-year-old, so direct may be the better way to go this time around. Definitely plan a return visit when your kiddo is older so you can fully enjoy all that Page, AZ, has to offer!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Gooooooood Morning! I am road tripping with a few of my friends from Oklahoma! We are leaving this coming Saturday and will be in Flagstaff, AZ by Sunday! I have tried to go through your comments on here and get some tips but figured why not just make another post lol I saw that the South Entrance is the only one open and saw you mention 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. We will be staying in Flagstaff and visiting Grand Canyon and Horseshoe bend. We planned 4 days to visit numerous sights in AZ, but the canyon is our #1 stop. Any tips for us okies??
Goooooooood morning Hannah!
Apologies for not responding to your query earlier, I gather you have already traveled and hope your trip went well.
You did deduce correctly that the South entrance to Grand Canyon National Park is the only one open at the moment. I hope that you planned for separate days to visit the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend using Flagstaff, AZ, as a base. Due to the East entrance/exit being closed, it’s now necessary to detour through Flagstaff, then proceed North via US89 to get to Horseshoe Bend, which is near the town of Page, AZ. This has turned what is normally about a 3-hour drive into more along the lines of 5 hours. On the other hand, if you were to leave out of Flagstaff, AZ, the drive to Page, AZ, would be more like 2.5 hours each way. The drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is ~90 minutes each way; from Flag (that’s what we call it around here) to Sedona is ~1 hour each way.
Recent weather has been cold, so hopefully you’ve packed jackets, gloves, and some warmer pieces of clothing. Should you encounter a snowstorm, your best bet is to stay put and wait for it to clear rather than plow through it. Road conditions can be obtained at http://www.az511.gov or via the NPS website for Grand Canyon.
Last tip: be sure you plan on doing any and all driving during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, or other wildlife that could hike up your risk of a car accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to chance in an area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! Sunrise occurs at 6:35 AM and sunset takes place around 6:35 PM. Keep an eye on the clock each day as you’re sightseeing so you’re certain to time your return trip to Flagstaff so that you’ll arrive by nightfall.
Hope that covers any questions you might have had. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley, thank you for taking your time and answering everyone’s questions with so much detail! My friend and I are planning to
go in Mid April, Friday – Monday trip. We would like to visit the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Imperial Valley Sand Dunes. What would be the best place for us to stay so we can visit these places and any others if time permits. Any additional tips greatly appreciated! Thank you so much in advance
Hey Jeni,
First of all, I think you are referring to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and not the Imperial Valley Sand Dunes. The Imperial Sand Dunes are located in far Southern California, which would be a really long drive from the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes, on the other hand, are located near Kanab, UT, which is 1 hour and change from Horseshoe Bend 🙂 Page, AZ, is a good place to stay for visiting these attractions. Other areas you might visit between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, are Wire Pass Canyon and the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos.
For the best experience at Grand Canyon South Rim, your best option is to stay either at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan, AZ, the small community just outside the park. Here is where you need to be aware of a road closure that will significantly impact your trip: normally, the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~3 hours, but due to COVID-19, a critical component of the shortest travel route has been closed by order of the Navajo Indian Tribe. This means that you’ll have to drive all the way South to Flagstaff, AZ, then back up North to the Grand Canyon via US180/AZ64N or I-40/AZ64N. This has turned a 3-hour drive into more along the lines of 4-5 hours. One “silver lining” though is that you could take the opportunity to take the scenic Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument Loop just North of Flagstaff. This will add more time to the drive, but IMO it’s time well spent; very educational.
Whatever you decide, be sure that you’re doing all your driving during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could hike up your risk of a collision. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, cold (nighttime temperatures can still be nippy in April), where cell service is spotty, if you can get any bars at all, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In mid-April, sunrise occurs just before 6:00 AM, sunset takes place around 7:00 PM — that’s Arizona time, Utah will be 1 hour ahead.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
What is the best thing to use for directions? GPS? Map? I know cell service will be spotty at best, and just want to make sure I’m prepared.
Thanks – Erica
Hi Erica,
GPS does work in much of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, but we recommend carrying a paper map as a back-up just in case.
Just remember not to venture down any unpaved roads if signage directs you to stay off it, or if you’re driving a rental car, or recent weather has been wet.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
HI! We are looking for some help with an itinerary! We are flying into Phoenix the afternoon of Wednesday, May 19 and fly out the morning of Sunday, May 23. We are a couple late 30’s from the East Coast and this will be our first time in Arizona. At first, we were going to spend the whole trip in Sedona and now we are thinking about trying to tie in either the grand canyon or horeshoe bend… We will really only have 3 full days. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you so much in advance!
Hi John!
With 3 days to work with, your time is indeed limited. If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, you should prioritize that over anything else. It takes approximately 3 hours, one way, to drive to Grand Canyon South Rim from Sedona. Normally, we don’t recommend attempting to visit the Grand Canyon from Sedona as a day trip, but late May is one of the few times of year you can pull it off, with an early start and an eye on the time. Sunrise occurs just before 5:15 AM and sunset takes place at around 7:30 PM.
Assuming you’re “wheels up” at 6:00 AM, and carry some snacks in the car to tide you over until lunchtime, that would put you at the park at about 9:00 AM. Park your vehicle wherever you can find a spot at the South Rim, preferably in the Grand Canyon Village Historic District area, so you can walk around and explore the old hotels, gift shops, and museums in the main commerce area. Plan on grabbing lunch right at 11:00 AM if you wish to dine in any of the rimside restaurants. The Grand Canyon Railway pulls in at around 11:15 AM and once those passengers disembark, they’ll make a beeline to the El Tovar Dining Room, Arizona Room, or the Harvey House Cafe (assuming all are open; some South Rim restaurants are closed or on reduced operations due to COVID-19). Once that happens, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a table. If you don’t have your heart set on having lunch on the rim, then the Maswik Cafeteria, 1/4 mile South of the Bright Angel Lodge, would be a good alternative, or you can bring your own sandwich fixins and beverages and dine “al fresco” wherever you choose! You could then utilize the free shuttles to ride out to some of the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, or hike a short way down the Bright Angel Trail into the Inner Canyon. If you do that, just remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours back up. Food and water must be carried if you plan on spending any more than 1 hour’s time, or hiking more than a mile round-trip.
The main priority is to be back on the road by 4:30 PM at the very latest. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that can ratchet up your risk of an auto accident. The section of US89A from Flagstaff, AZ, down through Oak Creek Canyon in particular is very narrow and windy. I’ve personally driven it at night, and let’s just say I’ll never do it again!
Should you find that you have time to spare after sightseeing at the South Rim, you might head back to Tusayan, the small community just outside the park gates, and see the short but exciting IMAX movie presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.”
If at all possible, try to carve out enough time to stay overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim. This will make for a much more relaxed experience for you, and enable you to see sunset and/or sunrise from the best vantage point possible: right on the canyon rim!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Do you know if the Highway AZ64 is open or will be open by June?
Hi Alva,
The National Park Service and the Navajo Indian Tribe are opening to reopen AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, by late May. Please visit the official National Park Service website for the Grand Canyon to monitor the status.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello. My two boys and I are taking a road trip and would like to add Horseshoe bend to the agenda. Is the hike Wheelchair accessible? One of my son’s is special needs, not that it stops us from traveling but want to see if we could get the little guy to the scenic part of Horseshoe Bend? I saw in an earlier post there was going to be some improvements made to make it ADA friendly.
TIA!
Hey Francesca,
There have indeed been recent improvements made to render the trail to Horseshoe Bend more accessible to wheelchairs, but actual reports vary as to whether that’s true or not. A visitor to our site last year made this observation:
This video, however, asserts that the trail is wheelchair accessible, even depicting it being traversed by a wheelchair user. Finley Holiday Films Whether you risk it or not, is totally up to you, but you should pretty count on having to push your son’s wheelchair the entire time. Should you decide against attempting the walk, another means of seeing Horseshoe Bend that’s not as labor-intensive is flying over it. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and contingent on a certain number of passengers booking. Horseshoe Bend Air Tour
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
HI- We will be staying near Lee’s Ferry (Marblemount) dry camping in our RV. We will also have E mountain bikes. I looked at the map and it seems only drivable route to get from Marblemount to Page is a very roundabout U shape (have to drive from Marblemount all the way down south to Bitter Springs and then up north towards Page). Do you know if we would be able to take a shortcut using our ebikes? I don’t see any roads, but just thinking some way to cut across that vehicles can’t? Would prefer to not have to drive RV. We also have standard non motorized mountain bikes as well. Thanks!
Hey Nicole!
First thing I need to point out is that “Marblemount” is actually called Marble Canyon 😉
As for “shortcuts” from that area to the town of Page, AZ, there are none. You have to take that “roundabout U-shape” route down to Bitter Springs, then back up to Page, AZ.
Marble Canyon is a lovely area, and you’d find plenty to see and do there, such as exploring the Lonely Dell Ranch Area near Lees Ferry, taking a hike on the Spencer Trail (which is quite steep, you need to be in shape for that), walking across the Navajo Bridge, enjoying a meal at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge. Another fun activity that camping at Marble Canyon will place you well to do is to rent a kayak at Lees Ferry, get backhauled to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle the 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend back to Lees Ferry. Companies that offer this service are:
– Kayak Horseshoe Bend 928-355-2211 https://kayakhorseshoebend.com/
– Wilderness River Adventures (928) 645-3296 https://www.riveradventures.com/
– Kelly Outfitters/Lees Ferry Backhaul (928) 510-5511 http://www.kellyoutfitters.com/ http://leesferrybackhaul.com/
– Kayak The Colorado 928-856-0012 https://www.kayakthecolorado.com/
– Lees Ferry On The Fly (928) 326-1162 https://leesferryonthefly.com/
– Marble Canyon Outfitters 800-533-7339 https://www.leesferryflyfishing.com/
Long story short, there is no shortage of activities that can keep you busy for a couple days’ time at Marble Canyon, but to enjoy the activities that Page, AZ, has to offer, such as Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, etc., it’s best to stay in Page, AZ. RV & Camping Options Near Antelope Canyon The Page Rim View Trail is a good mountain biking trail, ~10 miles total, that encircles Manson Mesa on which the townsite is situated.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi- we are new to the area but we are making a 5 day trip next week.
Mon- Would it be possible to drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim – stay overnight near Flagstaff then drive to Horseshoe bend the next morning- visit a few hours then head back to Tues- Vegas for flight out the next morning
Hi Karen, thanks for visiting today!
Possible? Yes, with a close eye on the time, and the willingness to make an early start each morning. More on that in a minute…
It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon South Rim. It would then take ~90 minutes to drive down to Flagstaff. Sunrise in Las Vegas, NV, in early February occurs at around 6:30 AM local time; sunset in Arizona will take place just before 6:00 PM local time. The reason this information is important is because nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. This is due to the fact that local roads are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife like to move about at night, which increases your risk of a car accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty, if you can get any bars at all, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Therefore, you’ll need to leave Grand Canyon South Rim by 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM at the latest in order to make it to Flagstaff, AZ, by sundown.
The next morning, it will take approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Page, AZ. Bear in mind that much of US89 between Flagstaff, AZ, and Page, AZ is on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, and they currently discourage outsiders from stopping anywhere on the reservation due to COVID-19. Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled before leaving Flag (that’s what we call it around here), and carry water and a few snacks to tide you over until you reach Page, AZ. Allow approximately 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, including time to park, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. The drive to Las Vegas will then take ~4.5 hours. Sunset in Las Vegas occurs at ~5:15 PM in the early part of February, but on that day, it’s not as critical to time your drive to get back to Vegas before sunset. From St. George, UT, on, you have several good-size urban light domes, plus that stretch of I-15 freeway is fairly well-lit. I’d recommend getting to St. George, UT, which is ~2.5 miles from Page, AZ, by sunset.
If this is sounding like a lot of driving in to days’ time, frankly, it is. If you can possibly free up another day so you can spend the night at the Grand Canyon, then your 2nd night in Page, AZ, then drive back to Vegas on day 3, that might make things a bit more comfortable for you, plus you could see sunset and/or sunrise at the Grand Canyon without worrying about hitting a deer on the way to Flagstaff. Granted you would still need to drive all the way back to Flag in order to get from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, due to the Navajo Reservation closure, but 5 hours of driving per day sure sounds a lot better than 7-8~!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We live in Peoria, AZ and would like to visit Horseshoe Bend this weekend (Feb. 6th, 2021). Can you please confirm this attraction is open to the public? I read Antelope Canyon is closed and there is no indication when it will be open.
All additional information you can share with us about Horseshoe Bend or any other attractions nearby will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Hi Enrique,
I’m happy to report that Horseshoe Bend is open; not to much to report that the Antelope Canyons are still closed 🙁
Fortunately, there’s still a surprising amount to see and do in Page, AZ, even with the Antelope Canyons off the table. Attractions that are still open and accessible include but are not limited to:
– Page Rim View Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– Grand View Overlook Park
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Gunfighter Canyon
– Wahweap Swim Beach and/or Lone Rock Beach (located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which requires a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time)
– Big Water, UT, Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum
– Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail (between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT)
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi there! Your recommendations are so great. Thank you in advance for sharing all your knowledge.
I am planning a round trip from SoCal:
Haul to Las Vegas for a night.
LV to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, night in Page.
Horseshoe Bend to Grand Canyon South.
Question… due to the Navajo COVID restrictions, do you know if AZ-64 westbound is open? According to Google Maps, 64 east seems closed but it does allow 64 west.
Any insight would be extremely appreciated! Thanks again!
Hi James, thanks for your compliments!
Unfortunately, AZ64 from Cameron, AZ, to Desert View Point on the South Rim, is closed to through traffic in both directions. This means that to get from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, you have to drive all the way down to Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed back North via US180/AZ64 or I40/AZ64 to Grand Canyon South Rim. This has turned what is normally ~a 3-hour drive into a ~5-hour drive, during which time you should avoid stopping on Navajo Reservation lands and interacting with tribe members. Be sure you plan accordingly, and that your vehicle is fully fueled and that you carry adequate water and snacks to tide you over between Page and the Grand Canyon.
Depending on the time of year you are visiting, and how early a start you get on the drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, you might make a detour through the Valley of Fire State Park, just Northeast of Las Vegas. That’s a stunning area, and if you’re visiting during the winter or spring months, it’s not too ghastly hot.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
I saw in a previous reply that the parking lot closes at sunset. Is there another area or access to do some night time photography of Horseshoe bend? Like an hour of time max? Thank you.
Hi Justin,
This is a really good question, unfortunately, I don’t have a definitive answer. Judging from the number of nighttime photos of Horseshoe Bend circulating on social media, the parking lot staff don’t kick people out at sundown, but then again, I know of no formally established timeline for allowing people to linger after sunset. That is the sort of question you might pose to the City of Page, whose staff oversee the Horseshoe Bend parking lot and collect the fees. Their phone number is 928-645-8861.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We want to visit Horseshoe bend but need a few other things to do. What is open during Covid? We only have about 8 hours daylight to spend in Page.
Hello Krista and Happy Boxing Day to our Canadian and UK friends!
Your visit to Horseshoe Bend will take up anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours including parking, walking out to the overlook, taking photos, then walking back to your vehicle.
Due to COVID-19, some visitors centers and attractions like Antelope Canyon are closed, but you’ll find plenty to see and do to occupy the rest of your time! Open/accessible sites include, but are not limited to:
– Page Rim View Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– Grand View Overlook Park
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Wahweap Swim Beach and/or Lone Rock Beach (located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which requires a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time)
– Big Water Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum **scroll down to the bottom of the linked page** (in Big Water, Utah, ~20 minutes West of Page, AZ, on US89)
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
Hey Alley – I’m planning on driving to Page from Santa Fe or Albuquerque in early feb to see Horseshoe Bend and saw your comments about the road closures through Navajo Nation. I couldn’t find any information on the NN admin or parks sites about road closures. Is there a route you recommend? Thank you for all of the great info in these responses as well!
Hey Kari,
Thank you for this excellent question! The road closure I refer to in most of these comments is AZ64 from Desert View Point at Grand Canyon South Rim to Cameron, AZ. This primarily affects people traveling between Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, AZ, Zion National Park, and other points North (see map).
In your case, you wouldn’t encounter any closed roads per se, but Google maps would automatically route you up through Farmington, NM, Teec Nos Pos, Kayenta, etc. These towns are all situated on a large swath of the Navajo Indian Reservation, whose Tribal Council is discouraging outsiders from traveling through their lands and interacting with residents. If travel through the reservation is absolutely necessary, you should make sure your vehicle is fully fueled and that you carry food or snacks to tide you over until you get to your destination so you avoid stopping at Navajo businesses.
For these reasons, I would strongly encourage you to take the alternate route via I-40 West through Flagstaff, then proceed up US89 North to Page, AZ. Trip map This would only add about 30 minutes to your drive time, and is a very well-travelled route. Some of it also goes through the Navajo Reservation, so once you get to Flagstaff, AZ, fill up your car, pick up some drinks and snacks and make a beeline for Page, Arizona!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I am trying to plan a trip on January 15th. It’s a Friday. I have rented an RV. Will the $10 parking fee cover that as well? Or will I need to pay a separate RV fee?
Hey Jarred —
It depends on the size of the RV. If it’s a truck camper or smaller model, then the $10 fee usually applies. If the RV is a larger motorhome (Class A) or could be considered a “light commercial van or truck,” the parking fee is $35 for those types of vehicles.
One thing I do have to express some concern over is that weather at this time of year is cold in Northern Arizona, so you’ll definitely want access to reliable heat to ensure a good night’s sleep! Look for RV parks with electrical hook-ups, although they may have turned off water/sewer for the season. Developed RV parks in Page, AZ, are the Page/Lake Powell Campground in the town of Page, AZ, and the Lake Powell Marina/Wahweap RV Park. If you are prepared to rough it, visit this article on our companion site, AntelopeCanyon.AZ for a list of RV parks and campgrounds, both dry and developed, near Page, AZ.
Your rental RV may also be winterized, so you probably won’t be able to use the water lines. Be prepared to haul your own water, and use facilities on-site (if operating) for toilets, showers/baths, etc.
Good luck, safe travels, and Merry Christmas!
Alley 🙂
can we visit on Christmas day, we will be coming from Flagstaff.
Hi Aarohi,
Yes, Horseshoe Bend will be open, barring circumstances such as extremely bad weather, etc.
The parking lot is open from sunrise (7:35 AM) to sunset (5:15 PM). A one-time parking fee of $10 will be assessed at the entrance fee booth.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hi, I have been reading the replies and I would appreciate some advice for my trip. I land in phoenix on Dec 12 at 9 am. I leave phoenix Dec 14 at 8 am (plane leaves at 8 am). It is a very short trip but I would like to visit either the horseshoe bend or grand canyon or both. I know driving at night is not recommend. What do you advise the best plan would be? I will have a car too and it is just my boyfriend and I traveling.
Hi Karolina,
In light of the fact that you will only have one day for sightseeing, visiting both Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon this time around won’t be too practical.
It will take you approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Assuming that your flight gets in on time, you’re still looking at about 90 minutes-2 hours more on the ground to collect any checked baggage, get your rental car, then make your way out of town. Optimistically, you might be able to get on the road in earnest at ~10:00-10:30 AM, which would get you to Grand Canyon South Rim at ~3:00-3:30 PM. While that may not sound so bad at first, you must bear in mind that at the time of year you’re traveling, days are very short, with sunset taking place shortly after 5:00 PM on average.
With a late afternoon arrival, that won’t give you much time for sightseeing. Therefore, you should plan to spend part of the following day taking in the sights you weren’t able to hit the day before. This won’t leave you enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend. Under normal circumstances, it takes ~3 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Horseshoe Bend. However, due to COVID-19, a critical component of the normal travel route has been closed by order of the Navajo Indian Tribe. Therefore, a very long detour down through Flagstaff, then back up North via US89 is required to get from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, turning what used to be a 3-hour drive into a 5-hour drive. With an 8:00 AM departure on December 14th, you should plan on being back to Phoenix by the evening if December 13th. IMO, attempting to travel from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, then back to Phoenix that night would turn that day into more like a “death march” of constant driving (10-11 hours behind the wheel), which doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation at all!
If you’re thinking that you’ll just do some of the driving at night, you should rethink that as well. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of large wildlife such as deer and elk, as well as free range livestock such as cattle and even wild horses ratchets up your risk of an accident. You don’t want to chance a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, extremely cold (nighttime temps are dipping down below freezing in the higher elevations), where cell service is spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, prioritize it this time around. Spend the night either inside the park or in Tusayan, just 7 miles outside the park for optimal comfort. Grand Canyon hotels
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hello! I will be traveling from Las Vegas to Horseshoe bend In early November, the trip is about 4 hours and 30 minutes. I was wondering if COVID has impacted anything in relation to the canyon? Can we still hike up? And how much does it cost to park/the entire experience? I would hate to make the trip only to realize it has been closed off or has restrictions. Any other tips or rules or ideas you have for my inexperienced group I would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you Very much!
Hey Angie!
You’ll be glad to know that Horseshoe Bend is open. It is one of a few attractions that never closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset, you pay a one-time $10/vehicle parking fee, and we recommend allowing up to 2 hours to park, walk up to the rim, take photos, and walk back. There is some construction going on in the area that may delay your arrival slightly, but not by much.
One thing I must point out is that in early November, days are starting to get quite short. Sunrise (in Las Vegas) occurs at around 6:45 AM, sunset takes place just after 6:00 PM. This gives you less than 12 hours of daylight to work with if you’re proposing to make a day trip of this. You want to avoid doing any driving in Northern Arizona or Southern Utah after dark due to the roads being very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of large wildlife such as deer and elk, as well as free range livestock such as cattle and even wild horses. You don’t want to risk a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly cold (nighttime temps in some areas can already dip down below freezing at that time of year), where cell service is spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Between St. George, UT, and Las Vegas, NV, it’s not too bad because you have relatively sizeable city light domes along that section of I-15.
In light (pardon the pun) of those considerations, I would advise leaving Page, AZ, no later than 3:00 PM local time. Or better yet, spend the night in Page, AZ, so you can enjoy more sights around the area. The most significant closure due to COVID-19 is the Antelope Canyons. Boat tours will probably not be available either since most companies cease operations for the season in October.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley.
We are planning a Family trip (10 people) for the 50th anniversary of my wife. Our intention is to stay in Flagstaff on November 21st until 24th.
We are looking to go to the horseshoe, antelope and also Sedona during those 2 full days. Is that doable?
From your note, it seems that going to the Antelope might be a challenge since most of the tour companies will be closed by then.
Is there any way in which we can visit the antelope during those days? is the antelope park closed even if we get a private tour that can do the tour for us?
I’m not so sure if the same questions will apply to the horseshoe.
I know it is going to be cold during November and that is the reason why we want to stay in Flagstaff and drive from there to these attractions during the day.
Any other suggestions or places that we should include?
Thank you very much for your help and assistance….Cheers
Hey Nick, and congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!
Well, let’s get the bad news out of the way first: Antelope Canyon is not going to happen. The fact that the tour companies are closed is only part of the picture: per orders of the Navajo Tribe, all attractions on reservations lands are closed through the end of 2020 (at the earliest). That means Monument Valley, the Antelope Canyons, Canyon de Chelly campground, the Four Corners, and the Little Colorado River Overlook are off-limits to outsiders, period. Trying to get there either on your own or with someone offering a “private tour” constitutes trespassing, and all that that implies.
The good news: Horseshoe Bend is open. It is one of the few attractions in this area that never closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open from sunrise to sunset, and you pay a one-time $10 parking fee. Allow at least 2 hours to park, walk out to the rim, take photos, and walk back. The trail is ~1.5 miles round-trip. Heads up, there is a construction project going on nearby that could tack some extra time onto your arrival and/or departure. Time and/or inclination permitting, you could also walk across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, hike the “New” Wave area, visit the John Wesley Powell/Glen Canyon Conservancy Museum, or view Lake Powell from the Grandview Overlook Park (you can’t actually get to the lake from there, but the view is awesome!).
It will take you ~2.5 hours hours, one way, to drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Page, AZ. It is very important that you do any and all driving during daylight hours. This is due to the fact that roads are very dimly lit in this part of the U.S., which is a deliberate move in some cases to preserve the natural quality of the night sky. Another potential hazard is the presence of deer, elk, and free-range livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. You don’t want to risk a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temps can dip down pretty low in late November), where cell service is spotty or non-existent, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise takes place at ~7:15 AM and sunset occurs around 5:15 PM. You should plan on leaving Page, AZ, at 3:00 PM at the very latest.
If seeing a slot canyon remains on your “wish list” — and we wouldn’t blame you a bit if it was! — you’ll need to rethink your plan by spending one night in Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT, so you can visit Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. This short but memorable walk features scenery on par with the Antelope Canyons (which are closed), and a few that are unique to it. Although the slot canyon portion isn’t that difficult, the drive to get there is, which is why we recommend again taking a guided tour to this area. Tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo in safety and comfort are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Other areas you might visit include Sedona, AZ, as you’ve mentioned, but fair warning: going there as a day trip will leave you wanting! Sedona is the type of place that you could spend 3-4 days in and still feel as though you’d only “scratched the surface.” It takes ~1 hour, one way, to drive there from Flagstaff, AZ. Here again, be sure you head out of town well before sunset, especially the section of US89A from Sedona to Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon. It’s very twisty, and can be quite scary to drive at night. Things to do in Sedona, AZ
I notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your inquiry. If you’ve never been there, you should definitely set aside a day to visit. It will take you about 1.5 hours, one way, to drive from Flagtaff to Grand Canyon South Rim. Upon arrival, park your vehicle as close to Grand Canyon Village as you can, then use the shuttles to get around to some of the overlooks on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road. If you’ve already been, or maybe plan to save a visit there for another time, you might instead use that day to visit Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Monument, East of Flagstaff, AZ, on I-40. It takes ~2 hours one way (not factoring in stops) to get to Petrified Forest. Meteor Crater is on the way. If you take us up on this, be sure to include a stop in Winslow, AZ, so you can take a selfie at “Standin’ On The Corner in Winslow, Arizona” park, and stop into the La Posada Hotel, maybe enjoy a meal in the Turquoise Room.
Or, you can just stick around the immediate vicinity of Flagstaff AZ, and visit such places as the Museum of Northern Arizona, Riordan Mansion, Walnut Canyon National Monument, or Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument. If it’s snowing, maybe you might go up to Snow Bowl, the local ski resort. One day itinerary for Flagstaff, AZ
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels and guided tours ASAP; now would not be too soon to start making reservations!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley
We were wanting to visit on Christmas day, we are coming from Dallas and that day is open.
Thanks for your input
Hi Aarohi,
Yes, Horseshoe Bend will be open, barring circumstances such as extremely bad weather, etc.
The parking lot is open from sunrise (7:35 AM) to sunset (5:15 PM). A one-time parking fee of $10 will be assessed at the entrance fee booth.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hello, we are planning a trip to Horseshoe Bend from Santa Clarita (LA county) We are planning to drive directly to Page, AZ. (long drive but we had all day and will be stoping) stay the night. Saturday morning visit some key highlights in Page in the early morning, then head to the Grand Canyon mid-afternoon stay in William, AZ… Sunday, drive to Sedona and visit some main highlights then drive back to William az and spend the night. Monday coming back home. Is there any road closures that would affect our trip? Thank you so much in advance.
Hi Michele,
You are correct in that it’s going to be a long trip from Santa Clarita, CA, to Page, AZ: ~9-10 hours factoring in bathroom breaks, meal stops, gas, etc. If that sounds like too much, Las Vegas, NV, would be a good place to break up the drive.
As for the rest of your trip, there is a key road closure that will affect your trip, namely, the stretch of AZ64 West from Cameron, AZ, to Desert View Point. This means that to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, you must go all the way down to Flagstaff, then head to the park via US180/AZ64 or I-40/AZ64. This means that what is normally a ~3-hour drive, has turned into more like a ~5 hour drive. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Williams, AZ, is ~1 hour. The trip from Williams, AZ, to Sedona is ~2 hours. The trip back to Santa Clarita will then be ~8-9 hours. Map of the trip
In light of the road closure on the Eastern side of the canyon, and the limitations on your time, you may want to whittle down your “wish list” a bit, and as much as I hate to say it, Page, AZ, would probably be the best candidate for elimination, especially if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the “Big Three” American National Parks, and as such, should take priority over everything else.
Sorry, I know it’s a hard choice.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley! I’m hoping you can assist me with answering some questions about a possible day trip to Horseshoe Bend. My husband and I will be flying into Phoenix and then we plan to stay in Sedona for two nights, and fly out of Flagstaff. We would like to go to Horseshoe Bend for a day trip on a Sunday. How far of a drive would it be from Sedona to Horseshoe Bend? Would it be worth the trip? I hear Antelope Canyon is closed due to COVID. Any tips/information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Dana!
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but I assume it’s sometime in the immediate to near future.
If so, you might want to re-think visiting Horseshoe Bend as a day trip out of Sedona. For one thing, it takes ~3 hours, one way, to drive from Sedona, AZ, to Page, AZ, where Horseshoe Bend is located. Another consideration: days are rapidly shortening at this time of year. Assuming you’re traveling in early November, sunrise takes place at around 7:00 AM and sunset occurs just before 5:30 PM. That’s ~10.5 hours of daylight, and you’re proposing to eat up 6 of those hours in the car already. You should allot at least 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend.
In this part of the U.S., any and all driving should be done during daylight hours. This is because local roads are very dimly lit; in some areas, this is a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky. Plus, there’s the possibility of having a “close encounter of the worst kind” with a large animal, such as deer, elk, free range cows, even wild horses. You don’t want to risk having an animal vs. vehicle accident in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly cold (nighttime temps are dipping down around freezing in some areas), where cell service is spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Even though the Antelope Canyons are closed, there are still other sights and attractions in Page, AZ, that are open, and would be worthwhile to explore. These include but are not limited to the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, the Hanging Garden Trail, the John Wesley Powell/Glen Canyon Conservancy Museum, Grandview Overlook Park, just to name a few. However, with 6 hours of your day taken up by driving, and 2 hours gone after visiting Horseshoe Bend, that only leaves you a couple of hours. At some point, you’ll want to grab something to eat and fuel up your vehicle before heading back to Sedona.
Long story short: a day trip out of Sedona is doable, push comes to shove. But if you can somehow modify your schedule so you can spend the night in Page, AZ, you’d have a much better time!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello. We’re planning a road trip for my niece’s 8th b’day that includes Phoenix, Grand Canyon, possibly Horseshoe Ben, Sky Walk and then Vegas between 11/5-11/9.
We’re thinking of driving to Phoenix and stay the night. Now my wife wants to go see Horseshoe Ben from Phoenix and then head towards the South Rim where we would stay the night. Next day spent the day at South Rim and maybe drive towards Sky Walk to be closer. Then check out Sky Walk and head to Vegas and see the Hoover Dam. All this would be done between Friday through Monday(11/6-11/9). Is this even possible to do with 3 adults and 4 kids?
Also, what would be your recommendation on how I should plan the trip? Does Horseshoe Bend seem to be a stretch? What are the road conditions around the area(s) we will driving to?
Thanks Amit
Hi Amit,
Happy birthday to your young niece! Which makes me all the more sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your trip plans are a bit too ambitious, even under ideal conditions.
Normally it would take you ~5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Normally, it would then take ~3 hours (one way) to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. However, because of COVID-19, an integral component of the shortest travel route between the two places has been closed to through traffic, which means you have to take a rather long detour from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim through Flagstaff, AZ. This has turned a 3-hour drive into more like a 5-hour drive. You would then be facing a 5-hour drive to Las Vegas, and a 2.5-3 hour drive to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is approximately a 4.5 hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim, and there is no lodging in the immediate area of the tribal park (the closest is Kingman, AZ, 1.5 hours South of Grand Canyon West). It is then a 2.5-3 hour drive from Grand Canyon West to Las Vegas.
With 3 days to work with, and in light of the road closures in effect, you’re going to have to take one of these attractions off the table. If your plan to fly into Phoenix and out of Las Vegas is firm, as much as I hate to say it, it makes the most sense to take Horseshoe Bend and Page, AZ out of the mix.
Plan on spending 1-2 nights at the Grand Canyon, then either go direct to Las Vegas (~5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim) and take a Grand Canyon Skywalk tour from there, or set aside a day to self-drive to Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk. Be aware that a trip to Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk will be an expensive proposition for 7 people. For more information on ticket prices, visit http://www.GrandCanyonWest.com
Roads along this route are fully paved and well-travelled, so no problem finding your way and staying on it.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I have been reading your replies and they are so informative. Thank you!
My family is planning for a RV trip from San Francisco to Zion area this Thanksgiving (Nov 20-29). We were planning to stop at Death Valley, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Grand Canyon. Just found out that we planned too late (RV camping sites are not available in Grand Canyon park) and shuttle from Tusayan is currently closed due to COVID. November is probably not a good time for a RV trip in this area either (no shuttles in Bryce). Since you are so knowledgeable about this area, I hope you can give us some advice.
1. Are we better off not renting a RV, but a trailer so that we can drive the SUV, which can be more accessible?
2. Can we (easily) drive and park the RV in Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon national park?
3. From Zion to Bryce, is No. 9 road easy to drive, especially for RV? I saw people recommending take 59/389/89 instead.
4. Is it an easy drive from Bryce to Horseshoe Bend?
5. Any recommendations on where we can spend more time and it’s accessible by RV in this area?
Thank you in advance!
Yan
Hi Yan, and thanks for your compliments.
At the time of year you’re visiting, I’d forego the RV trip idea. That time of year is in the transitional period between fall and winter, and in the higher elevations, such as Grand Canyon South Rim (7,000′ above sea level) and Bryce (8,000′ above sea level), it’s going to be cold. You may even encounter snow. Besides, by that point in time, many RV parks are closed for the season, and if you were wanting to rent an RV, many rental outlets are already winterizing their fleet, which means you wouldn’t be able to use any water fixtures. Even if you decide to go the SUV/trailer route, you would most likely run into the same issues. Since nighttime temperatures are dipping down below freezing in many areas, you’d want access to reliable heat. Long story short, best to go the hotel/motel route. Grand Canyon hotels
As for whether you can easily drive and park an RV in Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, there are ample parking spaces designated for RV’s, buses and larger vehicles in most National Parks. During peak season, the key is to get to the parks early, as in before 9:00 AM. Since November is considered “shoulder” season, it won’t be as busy as it would be during the summer months, but an early arrival will allow you to get the most of your sightseeing day.
For driving to Zion, vehicles of certain dimensions are required to have an escort through the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel. Otherwise, UT9 from Zion to Bryce is driveable by RV’s or vehicles pulling trailers. It’s just a bit narrow. The other route you describe would take you quite a ways out of your way, but it’s a wider road if that makes you more comfortable.
The drive from Bryce Canyon to Horseshoe Bend takes ~3 hours, driving direct, without stopping. Since it was recently announced that the Antelope Canyons will remain closed through the end of this year, you might want to stop in Kanab, UT, to tour Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. Otherwise, it’s all on paved highways and a relatively straightforward trip.
Again, I strongly recommend you either a. don’t do this trip in an RV or trailer at this time of year or b. if you must go the RV or trailer route, reschedule your trip for a time of year when the weather is warmer and more conducive to traveling in that manner.
For more suggestions on how to get the most out of your visit, check out “The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah” on our companion site, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ Bear in mind that this itinerary suggests visiting some attractions on the Navajo Indian Reservation, which is closed to travel at this time due to COVID-19.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello,
From tomorrow, we are starting our first long road trip from Chicago to Horse Shoe Band via Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and planning to spend 1-2 days in Page to visit the as many places as possible. I read lots of comments on this page where it is mentioned that Antelope Canyon is closed due to COVID-19.We were also thinking of covering Monument Valley but looks like it is also closed due to current COVID situation.
We have two options in mind 1) reach Las Vegas from Sand Dunes National park and then travel to Page. 2) Reach Page direct from Sand Dunes National park and travel to Las Vegas after spending 1-2 days in Page.
Can you suggest us the best option to reach Page and list of must do activities in Page (and around Page) which can be easily covered in a day or two? It would be a great help if you can suggest places for budget accommodations as well.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Gagan,
I hope you get this message since it sounds like you’re already on the road!
I would strongly recommend that you go to Page, AZ, from Great Sand Dunes National Monument. It’s a long drive, 8+ hours, but from Great Sand Dunes to Las Vegas is even longer, ~12-13 hours. You pretty much have to drive through Page, AZ, anyway to get from GSD to Las Vegas. Map
If you wanted to break up the drive between Great Sand Dunes and Page, AZ, I’d suggest doing that in Bluff, Utah. The next morning, you could hit Forrest Gump Hill near Monument Valley, and/or maybe Goosenecks State Park near Mexican Hat, UT, but don’t stop anywhere else on the Navajo Reservation. Due to COVID-19, they are discouraging outsiders from traveling on their lands if at all possible, so make sure your car is gassed up and that you have some food packed to tide you over until you get to Page, AZ.
As for what you can do in Page, AZ, the Antelope Canyons are unfortunately not an option, but a popular alternate activity lately has been to kayak into the waterside of Lower Antelope Canyon and hiking a short distance into the mouth of the slot canyon (the areas described are on Federal land, not Indian land). For more information on this tour, visit our companion site http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour Other popular activities in the area are Horseshoe Bend (open sunrise to sunset), walking across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, Wahweap Swim Beach, and the Big Water Visitors Center… just to name a few.
If seeing a slot canyon is still on your “must do” list, on your way from Page, AZ, to Las Vegas, you might stop in Kanab, UT, to tour Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. Kanab, UT, is ~1 hour drive from Page, AZ, and Red Canyon is a beautiful slot canyon, and an easy walk. The hard part about getting there is the access road in, which a lot of people get stuck on, therefore, a guided tour is strongly recommended. Reputable tour companies who can get you to Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something more rugged, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. Located off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may be composed of rather deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Since the House Rock Valley Road is also unpaved, and any moisture whatsoever can render it a muddy, impassable mess, a guided tour is recommended for getting your party there and back without incident. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Since touring either of these slot canyons would take at least half the day (~4-5 hours), I’d recommend staying overnight in Kanab, UT, or St. George, UT, instead of driving all the way to Las Vegas afterward.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley Keosheyan,
Can you give advice and recommendations on day trip from Las Vegas to the horseshoe bend for 4 ladies, 2 sets of mother and daughters? We are up for anything! Is there places to rent a boat to ride the river or boat tours?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Tina,
Here’s the deal about doing this as a day trip from Las Vegas: it takes approximately 5 hours, one way, to drive from Las Vegas to the town of Page, Arizona, where Horseshoe Bend is located. You should then allot approximately 2 hours to park your vehicle, walk the .7 miles to the rim, take photos, then walk back. Another factor in play right now is a construction project near Horseshoe Bend (on a much-needed, long overdue dedicated turn lane on the Northbound side of the highway). Traffic is being reduced to a single lane in both directions of traffic, so visitors should expect moderate delays around the construction zone. Then you’re facing a 5-hour drive back to Las Vegas.
Antelope Canyon tours, Boat tours and raft trips are unfortunately on temporary suspension due to COVID-19, and a boat rental would probably not be a realistic option due to time constraints. If your visit is planned for the near future, you might not have time for much else besides visiting Horseshoe Bend. In mid-October, sunrise in Page, AZ, takes place at approximately 6:30 AM and sunset occurs just before 6:00 PM. That gives you ~12-12.5 hours of daylight to work with, and you want to do the majority of your driving in daylight, especially in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Another potential hazard to nighttime driving is the possible presence of deer, elk, and other large animals such as free range cattle and even wild horses. You don’t want to risk a collision with any of them in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly cold, where cell service will be spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. The light dome between St. George, UT, and Las Vegas, NV, is fairly large, so if you end up driving that section of I-15 at night, it’s not that big a deal. Just be sure you’re out of the more rural areas — Page, AZ, Kanab, UT, Fredonia, AZ, Colorado City, AZ — well before nightfall.
Long story short, if you do anything else besides visit Horseshoe Bend, it should be kept brief. I’d recommend walking across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, and maybe stopping at Wahweap Swim Beach or Lone Rock Beach if you wanted to say you at least got down to the water. The afore-mentioned areas are within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so an entrance fee would be required. If everyone in your party is in decent physical shape, you might opt instead to go to The Chains, which is a popular swimming area on the Eastern flank of the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, outside the NRA. That means no fee, but it’s a bit of a hike to get down to the waterline, and back up. If you’re OK with this, and time permitting, you might also visit the Hanging Garden Area nearby. The springs are most likely dry, but it’s an easy enough hike, and quite a surprise to find in the desert.
So…. any way you could alter your plans and stay overnight in Page, AZ? That would allow you to enjoy all the area has to offer at a much more relaxed pace.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello! I’m planning a *very* quick visit in October of both the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day on our way from Phoenix to Zion. Is this possible? If so, what so you recommend to make the most of of quick stops at both locations? We’re leaving about 1-2 hours for each. Also, are there road closures to Horseshoe Bend (coming from Grand Canyon) that could make this a much longer trip than planned? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Jess,
Sorry to be blunt here, but this is NOT happening.
Several reasons for this:
1. The drive from Phoenix to Zion National Park is ~7-8 hours realistically. I know Google maps gives the time frame at ~6 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures, not to mention stopping for gas, meals, etc.
2. Assuming that you were wanting to do a quick “pop by” of Grand Canyon South Rim, this is also not realistic, mainly due to the fact that an integral component of the most logical travel route — AZ64 from Desert View to Cameron, AZ — is closed due to COVID-19. That means you’d have to drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim via Flagstaff, AZ — which takes ~5 hours — then go all the way back to Flagstaff before heading North on US89 to to Horseshoe Bend. This very long detour has basically turned the ~3 hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, into a 4.5-5 hour drive.
3. You need at least 2 hours at Horseshoe Bend, and a construction project is taking place in that area that could potentially tack on ~30 minutes to your drive time. If you’ve already gone to the South Rim, and taken the detour through Flagstaff to get to Page, AZ, you’re already burning daylight. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit; that’s a deliberate move in most cases to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Another safety factor is the possible presence of deer, elk, and other animals such as free range cows, sheep, and goats, and even the occasional wild horse. Trust me, you don’t want to risk a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, extremely cold (temps in some areas of Northern Arizona will be dipping down below freezing in October), where cell service is spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In October, sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM, sunset takes place around 6:00 PM, Arizona time. Utah will still be on Mountain Daylight Time, meaning they’ll be one hour ahead of Arizona. Best case scenario, you’re looking at ~10 hours of driving. Map If you’re thinking, “well, I’ll just go to the North Rim,” that won’t improve things much either. The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, takes ~5 hours; then, you’re looking at ~2.5 hours from Page, AZ, to the North Rim, then another 2 hours to get to Zion. Map
Long story short, your plan is not feasible. Your best bet is to get to Zion as quickly as you can, maybe make a stopover at Horseshoe Bend since you have to pass through there anyway. Then, try to set aside another day to visit Grand Canyon North Rim, provided your trip is occurring before October 18th; that’s the day that all visitor services will close for the season.
Sorry to be the bearer of possibly bad news. Just don’t want you to be unpleasantly surprised with the realities of the drive times, time zone changes, and road closures due to COVID-19.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
This was immensely helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a thorough response. I guess our ambitious plan became ridiculous pretty quickly🤣 We’ll rework our plan and probably just come by Horseshoe Bend. Am I understanding correctly that after 10/18, we wouldn’t even be able to get to the viewpoints at GC?
Hey again, Jess!
If you’re referring to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, all visitor services will close for the season on October 18th. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the park will close: if good weather holds out after the closure of the lodge, restaurant, etc., you could still get into the park for sightseeing. You just wouldn’t be able to get any food or drinks or use any public facilities, so keep an eye on the weather, pack a picnic lunch (be sure to stop at Jacob Lake Inn to get some cookies!), and enjoy a day visit to the North Rim.
If weather forces the closure of the North Rim in lockstep with the visitor facilities (which I’ve seen happen), then plan a visit to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi! I’m planning to visit HB as I’m on the way to the North Rim. Due to Navajo road closures, would I be able to take 89 all the way West to the North Rim or do I need to go all the way down to Flagstaff and back up? Just trying to have the route planned before getting there!
Hi Olivia,
Assuming that you’re coming from Grand Canyon South Rim, you’ll have to detour back down to Flagstaff, then proceed North via US89 to Page, AZ, to visit Horseshoe Bend. This detour has turned what is normally a 3-hour drive into a 4.5-5 hour drive.
From Page, AZ, you’ll then need to head back South on US89 to Bitter Springs, AZ, then get on US89A West through the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry/Vermillion Cliffs area. If you’re hungry by this point in time, Cliff Dweller’s Restaurant is an excellent place to stop for a meal. The view and the food will knock your socks off! Save room for dessert though: you’ll want to grab that at the Jacob Lake Inn, in the form of delicious home-baked cookies.
The trip from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon North Rim will take anywhere from 2.5-3 hours, so you’re looking at a long drive. Map For your safety, get an early start on the day, but avoid driving at night. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, and are usually populated by deer, elk, and other large animals, which can hike up your chance of an accident. Not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temperatures at the North Rim are dipping down into the 30’s already!), where cell service is spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
Does the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend accommodate motorhomes? If not, what suggestions do you have for getting there from Page? With Antelope Canyon closed what else would you recommend be on our “to see” list in the area? We will only have a motorhome for transportation.
Hi Tim,
The parking lot at Horseshoe Bend does have spaces set aside for motorhomes, buses, and other large vehicles.
You are correct in that the Antelope Canyons are closed indefinitely, and we have no idea when that situation will change. If seeing a slot canyon is on your “to-do” list, there’s a really pretty one in Kanab, UT, you might consider visiting. It’s called Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. It offers twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons in a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we recommend that you take one anyway. While the hike through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a motorhome, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. To explore Peek-A-Boo in safety and comfort, contact any one of these reputable tour companies to choose from in Kanab, UT:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Many other popular activities and attractions in Page, AZ, are open, with some operational modifications in place due to COVID-19.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley:
I’m a novice taking a road trip and I was wondering if there is a way to see Horseshoe Bend either on the way or way back from Arizona to Zion National? I plan to see Bryce as well from Zion but I would be leaving from Zion heading back to Arizona (to see Horseshoe). On the way up to Zion, I am going through Vegas to meet a friend and continue on to Zion; I can’t seem to figure it out haha. If there is no way on the direct path to or from, how far would Horseshoe be in an opposite direction leaving from Laverkin, UT? Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Alvenia,
So, if I understand correctly, you’re driving through Las Vegas en route to Zion, then heading up to Bryce Canyon, then ending up in LaVerkin, Utah?
If so, Horseshoe Bend is going to be a bit of a swing out of your way, but it can be done with a bit of careful planning and a tolerance for potentially long drives.
Horseshoe Bend is located approximately 5 miles South of the town of Page, Arizona. From Zion National Park, it’s ~2 hours Southeast; then to get up to Bryce, you’re looking at a 2.5-3 hour drive Northwest.
From LaVerkin, UT, Horseshoe Bend is ~2.5 hours (mind you, all these figures are ONE WAY, not round-trip!) SouthEast. If you were to return to Las Vegas after visiting Horseshoe Bend, you’d then be facing a 5 hour drive. On the return trip, you could swing through Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry to avoid some backtracking.
Map
Hope that helps you sort it out.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Oh my goodness, I thought you never responded and I couldn’t find a thread haha. I went to Zion and Bryce and it was incredible. I am planning a trip to Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon so I’ll hopefully get to see it soon. Thank you so much for your assistance.
Hi again Alvenia,
Glad you had a good time! Unfortunately, Antelope Canyons are set to remain closed at least through the end of 2020. Hope you’re able to plan a visit for the future when the danger from COVID-19 has passed.
Take care and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I am coming to Sedona for the first time with my cousin in about 10 days. We really want to go see Horseshoe Bend, Kayak Lake Powell, and see Antelope Canyon. I understand that Antelope Canyon is in Navajo Nation, and since that area is closed, the Canyon is closed also. I also saw that the road (89) travels through Navajo Nation from Sedona to Horseshoe Bend. Do you know if we will have any problems getting to Horseshoe Bend, due to the closure of Navajo Nation? Also, is it possible to kayak near the entrance of Antelope Canyon? Any advice you can provide will be appreciated.
Hi Ralhan!
You are correct that the Antelope Canyons remain closed to ground tours at this time. However, US89 between Sedona and Page, AZ, is fully open. Closure of this road was not an option since it is an essential shipping and travel corridor. Horseshoe Bend is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. And yes, it absolutely is possible to kayak through the waterside of Antelope Canyon, and due to the dry summer we had, you can even hike a short distance into the beginning of the slot canyon section! Due to the closure of the land-side of Antelope Canyon, these tours have become insanely popular, so be sure you make reservations ASAP! For more information, visit our companion site, AntelopeCanyon.AZ and check out Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Thanks for being a wealth of information!
I plan on flying in on 9/30 to Las Vegas, and staying the night. My fiancé and I plan on driving super early Thursday morning towards the Grand Canyon and exploring all day Thursday and Friday. We would be getting a hotel for Thursday and Friday night, checking out Saturday morning. We would be open to exploring half a day Saturday if we’re not burned out :). We were thinking about staying at the best western in Grand Canyon, AZ 86023.
We both have never been and would truly appreciate your advice on how we can maximize our Thursday and Friday and potentially half of Saturday.
Thank you in advance 😀
Hi Alexis!
Two full days is plenty of time to have a fulfilling visit to Grand Canyon National Park.
If you and your fiance like to take nice long walks, you could use one of your days to walk along the canyon rim on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. When you’ve had enough, you can simply hop on a shuttle bus to come back to Grand Canyon Village. Keep in mind that shuttle capacity is limited to 15 people per car due to COVID-19 and you must wear a mask while riding.
As for your other full day, use that to drive to the overlooks along the Desert View/East Rim Drive. Here again, due to COVID-19, you’ll only be able to go as far as Navajo Point, the next to last stop on the rim, then you’d have to turn around to come back to the Village, but the accessible views are still beautiful and you will still have a wonderful day of sightseeing
To make your visit extra-special, consider making dinner reservations at El Tovar on one of your evenings.
The Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn is a perfectly good place to stay, it’s actually outside the park in Tusayan, AZ. On that final morning before heading back to Las Vegas, you could walk down to the National Geographic Visitors Center to catch the awesome IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.” Another fun activity would be to take a Grand Canyon air tour by fixed wing airplane or helicopter. Morning is optimal time to fly for best light and least wind.
If neither of these activities appeal to you, you could still get an early start back to Las Vegas and take a detour of one of the last remaining intact stretches of Route 66 from Seligman, AZ, to Kingman, AZ. If you’ve ever seen the original “Cars” movie, some of the sights there will definitely look familiar. This will turn a 4.5 hour drive into more of a 6.5 hour drive, but in that extra two hours, you’ll take a fun and memorable trip back in time!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello! I am thinking about eloping at horseshoe bend next September. It would just be myself, my fiancé, the photographer, and officiant. Nothing crazy, just saying vows (5-10 minutes) and then taking pictures. This will be on a Tuesday in the middle of the day. I have read several places that I will need to get a permit but is that for more large scale wedding and events? Also, how long of a walk is it from the parking area to the bend?
Thanks in advance!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
As a general rule, anything that constitutes an outside-of-the-norm usage of Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and other areas requires a special use permit. This also depends on whether the location you’re looking to elope at is on Federal Land or Native American Land. In the case of Horseshoe Bend, it could go either way. If you think that sounds kind of complicated, it can be for those unfamiliar with the area. That’s why we recommend working with a professional wedding and event planning service with the connections and knowledge to make the process as seamless as possible. We recommend Monumental Arizona Weddings because they have extensive experience helping people like yourself plan unforgettable weddings throughtout Arizona, and we know the owners personally. For more information, visit http://www.HorseshoeBendWedding.com
Regarding the distance to the rim, here again, it depends on whether you access Horseshoe Bend from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, or the Navajo Reservation (should the reservation be open by then): the Glen Canyon trail (with the very clearly signed parking area) is .7 miles one way; the Navajo Reservation access point requires a walk of only ~200-300 yards.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have a beautiful wedding!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Me and My Husband are planning a trip to Zion National park on September 30th. We wanted to Visit Horse Shoe Bend on Oct,2nd and 3rd. Due to COVID, I heard that there are restriction to visit Antelope. But, Is there a route we can take from Zion or Bryce National park to visit Horse Bend avoiding road closures? Can you Please suggest things we can do in Horse shoe Bend with many places closed at this Time?
Hi Jo,
You’ll be happy to know that there are no road closures affecting travel between Zion National Park, Horseshoe Bend, and Bryce Canyon. You have, however, heard correctly that the Antelope Canyons are closed, and might remain so at the time of your visit. (Want to be notified the minute Antelope Canyon reopens? Get on our priority e-mail list on http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ) Should this be the case, and if you still want to visit a slot canyon, you have the perfect opportunity to do so in Kanab, UT, which happens to be right on the way between Zion and Bryce. Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons in a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we recommend that you take one anyway. While the hike through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. To explore Peek-A-Boo in safety and comfort, contact any one of these reputable tour companies to choose from in Kanab, UT:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For Horseshoe Bend, you’ll need to travel to Page, Arizona, ~70 minutes from Kanab, UT. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset. We recommend allowing ~2 hours to park, walk out to the rim, take photos and walk back to your vehicle. The drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon takes ~3 hours. With that in mind, you should probably plan on spending a night in Page, AZ, then driving on to Bryce the next day. As for “so many places being closed” in Page, the truth is, there is more open and accessible than you might think, such as Wahweap Marina, Antelope Point Marina, The Chains, Lone Rock Beach, Page Rim View Trail, Grandview Overlook Park, jeep tours, air tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals, just to name a few.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make hotel reservations ASAP. October is a great time to be here!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you Alley for replying. It is a huge relief to hear that there is no road closures from Zion to Horse Shoe bend. As your suggestion, we booked our accommodation in Page for overnight stay. We will also be exploring few places in page. Thank you once again.
You are welcome, Jo. Hope you have a wonderful trip. If you get a minute when you return home, let us know how it went!
Hi Alley,
I have a undercanvas Grand Canyon trip booked for Oct 1-4 . I am leaving the 1st at 7am from North Hollywood, LA.
I want to visit Horseshoe Bend, what do you recommend? Should I do a day trip from GC to HB and back to GC? Or on the last day should I drive up to HB from GC and circle back home? What do you recommend I do?
Thank you in advance!
Hey Karen!
I don’t recommend you do either, mainly because the Navajo Tribe has closed a key component of the shortest travel route from Grand Canyon South Rim to Horseshoe Bend due to COVID-19. Horseshoe Bend is located near the town of Page, Arizona. Under normal circumstances, the trip from Grand Canyon to Page would take 2.5-3 hours. With the closure of AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, you now are forced to drive all the way back to Flagstaff, AZ, then head North to Page, AZ, on US89. This turns a 2.5-3 hour trip into a drive of 4.5 hours or longer.
That’s not to say that the closure of AZ64 might not be lifted by the time you visit, but another important consideration is daylength. In early October, it’s shortening. Sunrise occurs at around 6:30 AM, sunset takes place just before 6:00 PM. That gives you less than 10 hours of daylight to work with, a 5-hour round-trip drive — optimistically speaking — and only enough time to see Horseshoe Bend and not much else. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possibility of colliding with a large mammal such as a deer, elk, free range cow, or even a wild horse. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nights are starting to dip down pretty low at that time of year), where cell service may be spotty if you can get any bars at all, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Should the closure of AZ64 East remain in effect at the time of your trip, forget about making a day trip to Page, AZ, to visit Horseshoe Bend. Ditto for doing a quick “pop-by” on the way back home from Grand Canyon South Rim.
Long story short, a better plan would be to take one of the nights you have allotted to Grand Canyon Under Canvas and spend the night in Page, AZ. That way, you can visit Horseshoe Bend and not be so crunched for time. The drive from Page, AZ, back to LA would be slightly longer than the drive from GC to LA, but only by about 90 minutes.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley,
This is definitely very helpful! I had no idea the route was closed so I am so glad I asked. I will look into rearranging some things around or will definitely have to plan a second trip to visit Page and see more of the beauty in that area! Huge thank you!
Hi Alley,
Your response was super helpful! I have a few questions I would love if you could give me some clarity on.
We are planning a road trip from Los Angeles throughout the South West in mid-October and were planning to stop in Page, AZ to visit Horseshoe Bend for 2 nights/1 day on the way from Las Vegas to Santa Fe.
Is 1 day enough to visit HB and are there any guided tours we can do of the site that are not aerial? We will likely do an aerial option but are wanting a full day experience, not only a 30 minute flight. Do we need to do a guided tour? Also, do you think it’s worth the visit considering Antelope Canyon is closed?
Essentially, we are trying to break up the drive and HB seemed like a great place to stop for a visit but I want to make sure we get the most out of the experience and it’s worth our while. Any direction or recommendations you could give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Sarita
Hi Sarita,
Mid-October is a great time to be here! Since Horseshoe Bend can be visited by private vehicle, a guided tour is not necessary. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset, and we recommend allowing 90 minutes-2 hours to park, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. Another recommendation is to hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
If you’re looking for a half-day or all-day tour of some sort, there are several we can heartily recommend!
White Pocket: a stunning geological area near The Wave that doesn’t require a permit or any hard-core hiking, but should be explored with a guided tour due to the difficult nature of the road leading to it. There are several tour companies that offer
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, (928) 691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
– Vermilion Adventures, (928) 645-9102, https://www.antelopecanyon.com/vermilion-adventures/
Alstrom Point: a knock-your-socks off panoramic view of Lake Powell, only visited by a small percentage of visitors due to the rugged nature of the road. Tour companies that can get you to this area include:
– Horseshoe Bend Tours, (435) 275-4594, https://www.alstrompointtour.com
– Lake Powell Adventures, 928-660-9683, https://lakepowelladventure.com/
– Action Photo Tours, (435)767-0222, https://actionphototours.com/alstrom-point-2/
– Big Orange Jeep Tours, 928-288-0685, https://bigorangejeeps.com/
– Lake Powell Scenic Tours, 928-316-6060, https://lakepowellscenictours.com/
Kayak/Hiking combination tours of Lone Rock or Antelope Canyon waterside: does not offer the “classic” slot canyon scenery of Upper or Lower Antelope, but is a fun experience regardless! Tour companies that can help you out with that are:
– Kayak Lake Powell, 928-660-0778, http://www.kayakpowell.com
– Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak, (928) 660-1836, http://www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com
– Lake Powell Adventure Company, 928-660-9683, http://www.lakepowelladventure.com
– Lake Powell Paddleboards & Kayaks, 928-645-4017, http://www.lakepowellpaddleboards.com
Hope that helps! Feel free to write in again if we can be of further guidance,
Alley 🙂
Hi, we are planning to go Horseshoe bend on Sep 6th. Following your advise we are staying in Page so we can be early there. Just my husband and I, no kids. What recommendations can you provide me for one day trip.
Thanks!
Hi Marcia,
Under normal circumstances, our recommendations for a 24-hour stay in Page, AZ, would include an Antelope Canyon tour and perhaps a Lake Powell Boat Tour or Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip, but these aren’t normal circumstances, unfortunately 🙁
After visiting Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, you’ll still find other ways to enjoy the scenery and geology of the area. For exampke, you can walk across the steel arch bridge at the Glen Canyon Dam (the visitors center is closed due to COVID-19). If you’d like to enjoy a refreshing dip in the water, head down to The Chains. It is a bit of a hike to get back up from the waterline, but if you’re in decent health, you can probably manage it. If you’re feeling peppy after a swim at the Chains, you might also enjoy the short hike to the Hanging Gardens area. The springs are probably dry, but this is a neat little area, very unexpected to find in the desert.
A short distance away, across the Glen Canyon Dam bridge, the “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock is a small but interesting cluster of rock formations, some of which resemble the Wave, but don’t require a permit to visit. Just bear in mind that there is also a campground in this area, so be sure that you don’t accidentally impede on someone’s space or privacy.
If a slot canyon tour is still on the “must-do” list, take the short drive up US89 to Kanab, UT, and tour Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. It’s a beautiful slot canyon that, like Upper Antelope Canyon, is easy walking, and features twists and turns on par with its more famous counterpart in Page, AZ. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. There are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much!
Hey Alley,
I’ll be lodging in Page, AZ with my mom and sister and we will like to visit horseshow band, antelope canyon, and lake powell. Would 2 days be enough? How long does it take to hike Horseshoe band to the top and how long would it take?
Hi Carolina,
48 hours in Page, AZ, is usually sufficient to check off all the items on your “to do” list, depending on how much of Lake Powell you want to see. Lake Powell is huge, the 2nd largest reservoir in the U.S., so one could spend a day just scratching the surface, or weeks on a houseboat delving into the complexity of her 100+ side canyons! Since I assume that your Lake Powell sightseeing plans are not as in-depth as a multi-day houseboat trip, you should be able to have a wonderful time seeing the parts of Lake Powell visible from US89 and the scenic Lake Shore Drive.
Right now, the item that could potentially throw the biggest wrench into your plans is the Antelope Canyons. At the moment, they are closed due to COVID-19. They are expected to reopen this fall, but when/if that will happen remains uncertain. More on that in a minute…
In answer to your question about how long it takes to hike to Horseshoe Bend, the trail is .7 miles long, one-way. We recommend allotting 2 hours to park, hike to the rim, take photos, then hike back. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset. If you are visiting in the near future, try to hit the overlook right after sunrise to enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
Back on the subject of the Antelope Canyons, should they remain closed by the time you get here, there are other slot canyons in the semi-immediate vicinity of Page, AZ, that are not beholden to the restrictions on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. For most visitors, we recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT, ~90 minutes from Page. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we recommend that you take one anyway. While the hike through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. To explore Peek-A-Boo in safety and comfort, contact any one of these reputable tour companies to choose from in Kanab, UT:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We are planning a trip in early November – Flying into Flagstaff around 1 p.m. on Thursday and having that as “home base” until we depart at 2 p.m. on Sunday. We want to see the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon (if it’s open). We’d like to see Sedona as well, but don’t imagine we’d have enough time. Also, Many have mentioned the ‘pink jeep tours’… thoughts?
Can you suggest a good itinerary for the weekend which would accommodate seeing all the above listed places?
Thanks
Dear M D,
In November, I would not recommend using Flagstaff as a “base camp” from which to visit the more popular attractions in Northern Arizona, except maybe for Sedona.
The main reason for this is because in November, your days are getting very short: sunrise occurs at around 7:00 AM, and sunset takes place just before 5:30 PM. That gives you only 10-10.5 hours of daylight to work with. The drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~1.5 hours, each way, so right there, you have 3 hours of your day gone. The trip from Flagstaff to Page, AZ, where Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are located, takes 2.5 hours one way, so the driving basically eats up half of your usable daylight. Nighttime driving is not recommended in this part of the U.S. due to area roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, feral horses, and other wildlife that could ratchet up your risk of a collision. Trust me, you don’t want that to happen in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime lows are starting to hover around the freezing point), where cell service may be spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
A better plan would be something like this:
Thursday: Fly into Flagstaff, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at the Grand Canyon
Friday: Drive to Page, AZ and tour Antelope Canyon. ***Depending on the status of COVID-19 on the Navajo Reservation, and whether or not AZ64 from Desert View to Cameron is open, the drive could take at least 2.5 hours, or at most 5 hours*** Overnight in Page, AZ
Saturday: Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, then drive to Sedona (~3 hour drive) for Pink Jeep Tour in afternoon, overnight in Flagstaff, AZ (~1 hour from Sedona, AZ)
Sunday: Fly home
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
We are aiming to visit around Thanksgiving this year and will have a 7 year old in tow. I’s love to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, is that doable in one day? We are pressed for time, sadly, and may have to choose between the two.
Hi Nicole,
Provided the Antelope Canyons are open by the time you are set to travel (they are currently closed due to COVID-19), visiting both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon is perfectly doable in a day. The two attractions are located 10-15 minutes’ drive away from one another. A guided tour is required, which should be booked in advance since the Thanksgiving holiday is a popular time to travel. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi there, we are planning to watch the sunrise this week at Horseshoe Bend. What time should we arrive, 5am? Thanks in advance!
Hi Mackenzie!
Sunrise occurs at approximately 5:15-5:20 AM this week, so arriving at 5:00 AM is a good plan. You may have to wait a few minutes for the gate to open, but you’ll be positioned to find a good parking spot.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Is this a safe and easy hike for kids as well? Ages: 5, 7, 11, 13
Hello James,
The trail to Horseshoe Bend is ~.7 miles one way, is partially paved, and relatively even. Most people in good physical health can handle it, including children. A couple of cautionary points: if you’re planning to visit during the summer, keep in mind that daytime high temperatures are very hot, sometimes around and upwards of 110 degrees (F), and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is almost completely exposed save for a small shade pavillion. For that reason, water must be carried for all members of your party, and sun protection such as hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and close-toed shoes are strongly recommended. The summer heat is also a good reason for timing your visit for the hours just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
If for some reason you determine that any or all members of your family cannot make the walk to Horseshoe Bend, you might look into alternate means of viewing it, such as flying over it in an airplane or helicopter — which might be fun regardless!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi there! Is the 3/4 mile hike safe enough for pregnant women?
Hi Nelly,
This is a good question.
The answer depends on a couple of things: how far along you are in your pregnancy, and what time of year you’re planning on visiting. If you’re in the late second or third trimester of pregnancy, the walk — which is actually ~1.4 mile round-trip — might be a little much for you, particularly if you’re visiting during the summer months. Daytime temperatures get VERY hot up here, sometimes upwards of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the trail to Horseshoe Bend has virtually no shade save for a small structure on the rim. If your trip is timed for the summer, plan to hit the Overlook just after sunrise, when temperatures are cooler.
If you decide that you might be better off sitting things out, you might contact Horseshoe Bend Tours as they go to the overlook via a private entrance where the walk is only ~200 yards.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi there. Is your parking lot open at 7am this time of year?
Hi Kim,
Good question, to which the short answer is “yes!”
The long-ish answer: the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is open from sunrise to sunset. We recommend timing your visit for just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Please help, I lost my camera bag, full of camera equipment at the Horseshoe Bend lookout parking on 3/12/2020. It has my name, Sara Bartlett marked clearly on the camera and other items. If found, please call me at (407) 920-8472.
Hi Sara,
So sorry that you lost your camera bag! We would encourage you to call the City of Page at 928-645-8861 or the Page, AZ, police department at 928-645-2463.
Hope you find it,
Alley
Hi Alley,
Is the observation point of Horseshoe Bend still open with everything going on right now? We are heading there today and were hoping to get to walk to the rim.
Thanks for any advice,
Amy
Hello Amy,
Sorry to be late in response to your inquiry.
For those asking the same question, at this moment, Horseshoe Bend remains open for visitation. For your health and safety, and that of your families, please practice basic common-sense measures as advised by the CDC and WHO: wash your hands frequently, stay at least 6′ away from other people, avoid touching your face, especially after touching hand-rails, credit card machines, and other surfaces that get touched frequently, and last but not least, stay home or at your hotel if you feel the least bit sick.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
It’s an unusual post, I’m sure, but I just wanted to bring your attention to the fact Horseshoe Bend site in Google Maps has the wrong description (in Overview and About): “Historic park along the Tallapoosa River known for hiking, boating & Andrew Jackson’s Creek War win.” On the map itself it also shows as “Historic park with hiking trails & river”.
Obviously this is wrong. Being a Google Local Guide, I tried to submit an edit to Google but was denied twice, probably because there is no appropriate place for this edit to be submitted (no corresponding field for this particular change – which I also let Google know about).
So Google is silent and this incorrect description continues to confuse people. Thought I’d let you know.
Thanks,
Michael
Hi Michael,
Feel your pain, brother. I, too, am a Level 7 Local Guide for Google, and have tried numerous times to get this description changed! It chaps my hide every time I see that description, but if there’s a “magic bullet” to get it changed, I have yet to find it.
Will keep trying,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I am also a local guide (level 9) and will definitely come to visit this beautiful location around the 16th / 17th of May this year.
I posted this challenge in the local guides connect forum, where I received 2 answers within an hour.
First of all, it seams that the foot note is used from the Horseshoe Bend in Alabama as a default…..
But the best thing you can do, is claiming the Google Maps location and change the text in Google My Business.
See also the current thread that I have set up:
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/How-to-Change-the-foot-note-under-a-location/m-p/2278692#M747163
CU, Kees Henzen, Netherlands
Hi Kees,
Wow, Level 9? That’s amazing!
Thank you so much for posting this in the local guides forum, which I had heretofore not known about! Hopefully we’ll make some headway now.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Page, AZ!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, we recently went last year and we fell in love with the beautiful view and we enjoyed going out there, my fiance and I will be getting married next month and I’m not sure how this works but we would like to get married in front on this beautiful view do you think that would be possible? Our date would be 04/18/2020 around 2 pm. It would be about 20 or less people it wouldn’t be long we just want to experience the amazing view on our special day. Hope to hear from you soon thank you!
Hi Aurora and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
To get married at Horseshoe Bend — at the main public overlook, anyway — can be rather complicated. Even a small wedding party would require a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service, and they usually require a longer turnaround time than a month. You’d probably have better luck obtaining the necessary permission from the Navajo Tribe, whose Tribal land flanks the overlook from the South. There’s also the matter of obtaining an officiant, marriage license from the county, photographer, etc. I know of a local company that would be able to help you with all those arrangements and make the necessary contacts, whether you get married on the National Park side or Navajo Tribal side of Horseshoe Bend. They’re called Monumental Arizona Weddings, and can be reached online at http://www.HorseshoeBendWedding.com or by phone at 480-980-8121.
Good luck and best wishes for a beautiful wedding!
Alley 🙂
Hi, thanks for the wonderful description. We are planning on renting a boat when we come, is it possible to go to horseshoe bay on our own or are only tour boats allowed?
Thanks!
Vera
Hi Vera,
This is an excellent question!
First off, “Horseshoe Bay” is actually “Horseshoe Bend.” When you say that you are planning to rent a boat on your vacation, it’s a relatively safe assumption that you’ll be spending your time on Lake Powell, whose waters are above (in back of) the Glen Canyon Dam. Horseshoe Bend is actually a stretch of the Colorado River located below (in front of) the Glen Canyon Dam. So, we’re talking about two separate areas. However, it is possible to take one’s own boat through Horseshoe Bend by utilizing what’s known as a backhaul service. This is where someone would tow you and your craft from Lees Ferry to the base of Glen Canyon Dam, then let you float or motor down the river at your leisure. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), this service is limited to paddle watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts, or stand-up paddleboards. Motorized watercraft or jet-skis are not permitted.
If still interested in floating through Horeseshoe Bend, consider the Horseshoe Bend/Glen Canyon Rafting Experience, or doing a kayak/canoe rental with backhaul service from one of several local outfitters, such as Kayak Horseshoe Bend, Lees Ferry On The Fly, or Kelly Outfitters.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
In a previous post, you had stated that “you need to be sure that any and all driving around here is done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads ” (with regard to the drive from Page to Sedona). Is this also true on the way to Bryce, along 89? We plan to leave well before sunset to hopefully take advantage of some sightseeing along the way, but that might mean the last hour or so until Bryce will be at night. Do you think that’s ok?
Hi DJ,
The route between Page, AZ, and Bryce Canyon, UT, also goes through some very remote territory, which means local roads will be quite dimly lit. This is actually a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky, and Bryce Canyon is a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Naturally, there is no legal prohibition of nighttime driving anywhere in the U.S., but we caution against it out here for valid reasons, namely, the higher risk of a collision due to poor lighting, visitors’ lack of familiarity with the route, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife. If your arrival at Bryce Canyon does take place after sunset, we would simply advise you to obey posted speed limits, be very vigilant of potential hazards (since Bryce Canyon is 8,000′ above sea level, it can snow quite late in the season), and know that the National Park Service, Utah Department of Transportation, and other local agencies assume no responsibility for your safety. It’s all on you!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
My wife and I are planning to visit the Grand Canyon April 9-12
April 8 We land in Phoenix and rent a car. Drive to Williams that day and sleep there
April 9 – take the train to the Grand Canyon and return in the afternoon
That evening we drive to Flagstaff and sleep there
April 10 – visit horse shoe bend and antelope canyon. That evening drive to Sedona and sleep there
April 11- spend the day in Sedona and surroundings. that evening drive to Phoenix and sleep there
April 12- fly back home
questions
1) Is the trip reasonable
2) Are we seeing most of the important places
3) Can we get in a tour at the antelope canyon site? I understand that you cant do it by your-self
Hi Mike and thank you for visiting.
Your trip plan looks pretty fun, except for April 10 when you plan on driving from Flagstaff to Page, AZ, then to Sedona for the night. The drives will take longer than you think, especially going from Flagstaff to Page. I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because it’s a very scenic drive and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Plus you should take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Cameron Trading Post, if not for breakfast/brunch, at least for a quick leg stretch/bathroom break or a little souvenir shopping. Another opportunity available just North of Flagstaff is the Sunset Crater Volcano/Wupatki Ruins Scenic Loop Drive. That would add another 2-3 hours onto the trip, but again, it’s a very picturesuqe and educational area. It would be a shame to pass it up because you’re racing against the clock to get to Page, AZ, then to Sedona by nightfall.
Which brings me to another important consideration: you need to be sure that any and all driving around here is done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, feral horses, and other animals. Believe me, you don’t want to risk a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temperatures in April are still dipping down pretty low in some areas), where cell phone service is spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. The stretch of road from Flagstaff to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon is especially narrow and twisty, which can be very disconcerting in the dark. A better plan would be to stay overnight in Page, AZ, on April 10, then drive to Sedona on April 11, spend that night in Sedona, then drive back to Phoenix the next morning. In early April, sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 7:00 PM.
As to your other queries, “are you seeing the most important places?” Yes, for now anyway. I would definitely encourage you to plan a return visit when you can spend more time and maybe hit Utah’s “Mighty 5.” For suggestions, check out “14 Days in the Grand Circle.”
Regarding Antelope Canyon, you are correct in that you cannot visit it unaccompanied. A guided tour is an absolute necessity, as is an advance reservation. For more information, visit our companion site, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ and read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley!
My in-laws and I are heading out west the last week of March. Our itinerary is below – are we crazy? I look at it and don’t think it is too ambitious but I am now second-guessing. I would greatly appreciate any help 🙂
Saturday: land in Vegas, spend the night at Caesars Palace
Sunday: up early and off to Zion for hiking; spend the night in Hurricane
Monday: up early and off to Lower Antelope (tour at 11 am) then to Horseshoe Bend, then to Grand Canyon South Rim; spend the night at El Tovar
Tuesday: Grand Canyon day hiking; spend the night at El Tovar
Wednesday: Day trip to Sedona; spend the night at El Tovar
Thursday: Grand Canyon day hiking; spend the night at El Tovar
Friday: drive back to Vegas via Hoover Dam, stop for Hoover Dam tour en route, fly home on the red-eye
Thanks!!
Emily
Hi Emily,
Wow, 4 nights at El Tovar? That’s quite a score! Nevertheless, and crazy as this might sound, I think it’s too much time at the Grand Canyon. Most people spend 1-2 nights, tops. Of those families who book 3-4 nights, the majority end up shortening their stays because they find they’ve had a wonderful and fulfilling visit in less time. I know, I worked at the El Tovar myself! In your case, also, you’re going to do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, AZ, since the route will take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive.
First thing I’d recommend: give another day to Zion. It’s a huge park with lots to hiking opportunities. You’ll definitely be glad for the extra time.
Second change: instead of visiting Sedona as a day trip from Grand Canyon South Rim, do your last night there, then drive on to Vegas the next morning. The main reason I suggest this is because:
1. Sedona is a stunning area that warrants more than just a quick in-and-out visit.
2. In March, your days are still quite short and it’s about 3-hour drive, each way, from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona. You don’t want to chance having to make any of the return drive to the South Rim in the dark, especially in the narrow, twisty confines of Oak Creek Canyon. Roads in Northern Arizona are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to be nocturnal, which further ratchets up your risk of an auto accident.
The drive time from Sedona to Las Vegas is ~4.5 hours, so, changing your last night to an overnight in Sedona won’t make much of a difference in terms of time spent on the road.
Of course, I realize that at this late date, it may be too late to make any changes to your trip plans. If you find that to be the case, don’t worry too much about it. You’ll still have a great time, but I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return trip to the American Southwest to hit the attractions you missed!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Enjoy an amazing experience at the Lower Antelope Canyon and a very exclusive experience at Horseshoe Bend!
Hello Alley,
My fiance and I are considering a trip to Utah/Arizona for our honeymoon. We are thinking it will be around the end of November/beginning of December. We are unsure of how much time we need to plan for some of our activities and were hoping you could give us some guidance. We are considering trying to go travel from Zion National Park to Page to visit Horseshoe Bend & Lower Antelope Canyon, then continue on passing through Monument Valley to get to Arches National Park in one day. We know that this is probably a bit unrealistic, but wondered if you have any suggestions about ways that we could maybe make this work or alternative options? We greatly appreciate any help and insight that you can provide.
Thank you!!
Hi Sarah, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
Your first instinct is spot on. This plan is unrealistic, and I’ll tell you why:
It takes anywhere from 2-2.5 hours to drive from Zion National Park to Page, AZ, depending on where you stay the night before (Springdale, UT, and Kanab, UT, are the most popular gateway communities for Zion). It then takes ~2-2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon; that’s factoring in advance check-in time, etc. Another 2-2.5 hours should be allowed for visiting Horseshoe Bend, which takes into account the 20-30 minutes time it takes to drive from your Antelope Canyon tour company’s staging area to the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, pay your entrance fee, find a place to park (which might be a bit difficult during busy mid-day hours), then walk out to the overlook, take some photos, then come back back. Stick an hour for lunch in there somewhere, then another 5 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT? No thanks. Besides, you’re not giving yourselves time to visit Monument Valley, which would be a shame to skip because you’re racing against the clock to get to your next destination.
Another thing working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength: in late November/early December, it’s short, with sunrise occurring at around 7:15 AM, and sunset taking place shortly after 5:00 PM. That’s 10 hours of daylight when you’re planning activities and travel that potentially require anywhere from 12-13 hours of it. Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to roads being very dimly lit, a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Plus deer and elk tend to congregate near the highway shoulders after dark, and on the Navajo Reservation (which you’d pass through a part of), you have to contend with animals such as free range cattle, sheep, goats, and even wild horses. Trust me, you don’t want to chance a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can find a signal at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
A better plan would be to stay overnight in Page, AZ, then head for Moab, UT, the next morning when you’re fresh, and you can see what’s ahead of you. Or, you might try and make it as far as Monument Valley, which is ~a 2 hour drive from Page, AZ, then continue on to Moab, UT. Though it is beautiful, one disadvantage to Monument Valley is the lack of hotel rooms. They don’t have much to work with in the first place, so be sure to check hotel availability before committing to this plan.
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news, but I hope it helps. Please feel free to write in again if you need further guidance.
Good luck, safe travels, and have a wonderful honeymoon!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We have reservations next September for 4 nights at Grand Canyon North Rim then 4 nights in Springdale and 2 near Bryce. We may extend the trip as well a couple more days. We plan to hike at least a couple days in GC and Zion , maybe one in Bryce, and would love advice on a couple of day trips from each- Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Staircase, Monument Valley, or anything else that would be worth it. Thank you so much for any advice!
Hi Anne,
That’s wonderful that you had the ability and foresight to book a nice leisurely trip to the American Southwest, but if you’re up for a few more days of adventure, that’s even better!
You can visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip from Springdale, Grand Canyon North Rim, or Bryce Canyon, but being a 2.5 hour drive each way from either of those locations, it would make for a more comfortable experience if you were to book at least 1 night in Page, AZ. Besides, Page makes for a better starting point for a day trip to Monument Valley. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs shortly after 6:00 AM (Page time) and sunset takes place at around 6:30 PM. It is a 2-hour drive each way, so you’ll need to be wheels up at the crack of dawn, plus Monument Valley does observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page does not. That means MV will be one hour “ahead” of Page. You’ll need to factor that in if your plans include a backcountry tour of the valley or other time-sensitive activities. You’ll need to be sure to start the drive back to Page, AZ, no later than 5:00 PM according to Monument Valley time so you are sure to arrive back in Page, AZ, before dark. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit, and the possible presence of animals like deer, elk, free range cattle, wild horses, sheep, and goats.
From Springdale, UT, some good day trips would be Snow Canyon State Park (aka “Little” Zion), Grafton Ghost Town, Quail Creek Reservoir, Yant Flats (aka the “Candy Cliffs,” a “Wave” lookalike that presently requires no permit), or Kanarraville Falls.
From Bryce, a drive to Duck Creek Village, Cedar Breaks National Monument (aka “Little Bryce Canyon”), and Brian Head Ski Resort would be a nice way to spend a day. You could also make a day of hitting sites in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area such as Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Calf Creek Falls.
As you can see, you’ll find no shortage of things to see and do in this beautiful area of the US!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Please, my three friends and I are plainning to visit horseshoe and Antilope Canyon in march. We really want to rent a RV to do so. My question is if can I get there driving that really big vehicle?
Furthermore, if you could send me some adivices or information about this trip, I’ll appreciate it.
Best regards,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
March would not be the best time to visit Northern Arizona and Southern Utah in an RV. The main reason for this is because March falls into the transitional period between winter and spring, and temperatures can still be quite cool. Nighttime temperatures particularly can get below freezing. Many rental outlets keep their RV’s winterized at this time, which means you may not have access to running water in your motorhome, and other potential complications.
If you go ahead with an RV rental, you should have no trouble driving to Page, AZ, but you’d be best off visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise when the parking lot opens. That will give you the best chance of finding a pull-through parking spot. Backing up a large RV can be off-putting, especially if you have no prior experience driving such a vehicle.
Long story short, I recommend staying in hotels, motels, or AirB&B’s this time around. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thanks for such a quick and thorough response! I wish we had seen your website before making any plans!! We already have reservations on the North Rim for day 3 and 4 that are non refundable. (We heard that filled up fast so we scheduled that first.) We also scheduled the Antelope tour on day 3 before heading to the North Rim. We reserved a room on the South rim on day 5 so those days are pretty well set.
I guess we need to rethink our first 2 days. It’s hard not to cram too much into our schedule… with so many beautiful things to see we want to see them all! I think we will need to skip Monument Valley this trip and drive from Phoenix to Page on Day 1.
On Day 3 we have a tour of Antelope Canyon scheduled at 10:30 and planned to stop at Vermillion Cliffs on the way to the North Rim. 1.Is this realistic? 2.Do you have any suggestions of other places to include while we are in Page? 3.Where is the best place to park for Horseshoe Bend?
Hi again, Pattie!
Thanks for further clarification of your plans. If you already have reservations at the North Rim, hang onto them. They are highly coveted, and your visit coincides with when the autumn foliage is peaking in color — usually, anyway 😉
Assuming your 10:30 AM Antelope Canyon tour starts and ends on time, you should be able to make it to the North Rim by sunset (6:30 PM), even with a stop in the Vermilion Cliffs area. I highly recommend Cliff Dweller’s Lodge for lunch, and a stop at the Jacob Lake Inn to pick up some their world-famous home-made cookies.
As for other places and activities you might enjoy whilst in Page, the Glen Canyon Dam is a definite must; you might even take a tour of the facility time/inclination permitting. The Hanging Gardens hike nearby is also fun, and relatively easy. The ‘New’ Wave, aka the Beehives is another easily accessible hike to a small cluster of interesting rock formations near the Glen Canyon Dam, some of which resemble “The Wave” that’s notoriously hard to get a permit for.
The best place to park for Horseshoe Bend is obvious: you literally can’t miss it, it’s very large and well-signed. The overlook is a .6 mile walk from the parking lot.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thanks for all your info! It is so helpful!!! I know it has helped us and reading others questions and answers have been insightful, too.
Hi Pattie,
Glad it helped 🙂 If you have time after your trip, let us know how things went!
Alley
Hi Alley,
We are planning a trip to Arizona in mid Sesptember. My husband is a photographer and I know that things always take longer to see in order to get the right light and the right shot. Would you let me know if my itenerary sounds reasonable or if you think we should make changes? We appreciate any advice you can give about must see destinations or changes to our schedule.
Day 1-Drive from Phoenix to Monument Valley and then to Page; possible evening photos of Horseshoe Bend
Day 2- Explore Page area, Evening photos of Horsehoe Bend
Day 3- Antelope Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, drive to North Rim
Day 4- Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 5 – Drive to South Rim
Day 6- Drive to Sedona for 4 nights
Thanks for all your help! Pattie
Hi Pattie and thank you for contacting us.
Mid-September is a great time to be here, so good call on that. Unfortunately, your itinerary is in need of a couple of “reality checks” before you finalize your arrangements.
Day 1 especially is quite unrealistic. It takes at least 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Monument Valley. That’s wheels turning, no stops save for a short bathroom break. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you will be stoppint to take photos more often than you realize. You should then take a backcountry tour of Monument Valley for the best photo ops, which can range from 2-6 hours. Then, you’re facing another 2-hour drive to Page, AZ? No thanks. Besides, you’d run the risk of doing all or part of the drive to Page, AZ, in the dark, which is something you want to avoid in this part of the U.S. Roads are very dimly lit on the Navajo Reservation, and animals such as deer, elk, free range cattle, wild horses, sheep, and goats like to wander about at night. Trust me, you don’t want to risk a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is virtually non-existent, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive.
Another thing: the North Rim may be somewhat problematic at this point in time, unless you have your lodging already reserved. Mid-September is when the fall foliage is peaking. That’s also prime time for hiking “rim to rim.” As a result, Grand Canyon North Rim hotels, which are fewer in number and smaller in scale to begin with, tend to book up a year or more in advance. In all likelihood, you won’t be able to include it as an overnight, but there’s a way you may still be able to see it. More on that in a minute.
I would recommend restructuring your itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ (~5 hours), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 2: Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, perhaps take a short boat tour on Lake Powell, 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 3: Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley (~2 hours), take Monument Valley backcountry tour, overnight in Monument Valley **in the very likely event lodging is booked up in Monument Valley, you can visit as a day trip from Page, AZ; just remember that Monument Valley time is 1 hour ahead of Page, AZ, and that you should start the trip back to Page at least 2.5 hours before sunset, which occurs at ~6:30 PM Page, AZ, time. Another option would be to take a flight over Monument Valley by fixed-wing airplane**
Day 4: Drive from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4-5 hour drive factoring in stops, meal at Cameron Trading Post), or Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in photo and meal stops), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 5: Take early morning helicopter flight over Grand Canyon North Rim, return to park for more sightseeing on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Road using free shuttles, 2nd night at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 6: Drive to Sedona (~3 hours) for 4 nights (sweet!)
If you have your hearts set on seeing Grand Canyon North Rim from a “boots on the ground” perspective (which I don’t blame you one bit for!), and you cannot find available lodging, here again, you can visit it as a day trip from Page, AZ. It’s ~a 2.5 hour drive, each way, so an eye on your watch is crucial so you time the return trip for daylight hours, but it can be done. I know, I’ve done many North Rim day trips from Page 😉
Hope that helps. Feel free to hit us up again if we can offer further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi , My cousin and I book a trip to Arizona! We are very excited and would like to visit the grand canyon, Antelope Canyon and the Horseshoe Bend. We are staying in phoenix and will be renting a car to travel to each destination. Do you have any tips on how we can accomplish all three locations ? Is there a specific location for the Horseshoe Bend ?
Hi Shannon and thank you for your visit today!
To fully enjoy and explore the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, you should plan on spending at least two days/3 nights. It takes approximately 5 hours — each way — to drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim and/or from Phoenix to Page, AZ (the gateway community for both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend). It then takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive to/from Grand Canyon South Rim to/from Page, AZ. For the latter trip leg, Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping often to take photos, especially between Desert View Point (the Easternmost border of the park) and Grand Canyon Village (the main commerce area at the South Rim).
As to which place you should visit first, that depends largely on availability of Antelope Canyon tours, hotels in Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon lodging. Line out those three key elements before setting out, and the rest of your trip should fall into place nicely.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this. I think this really puts things into a different light. I mean, I have read about this stuff before but the way you write just makes it clearer. If that makes sense lol
Thank you for your compliments, Jennifer!
I plan to visit Horseshoe Bend without a car. The tours I have seen are rather expensive for a short visit. Is it possible to walk from town take a reasonable taxi there from Page?
Hi Robert!
This is an excellent question; unfortunately, the answer is less than ideal, but hopeful.
First off, it’s not realistic to walk from Page, AZ, to Horseshoe Bend. The overlook is situated 5 miles South of town.
The only taxi service in Page, AZ, gets mixed reviews. A Lyft operator has recently opened for business in town, and has gotten more favorable publicity so far. Be sure to download the Lyft app and use the promo code VAUGHN951070 to save some money. For more information, follow Page Lake Powell Lyft on Facebook.
Now, here’s my question: how are you getting to Page, AZ, without a car?
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
This entire post absolutely ROCKS! Thank you Alley for all the hard work you put into it. It really shows.
Hi There, we have booked an antelope canyon tour for January 2nd. at 9:30am and were thinking of seeing horseshoe bend afterwards. We are coming in from Flagstaff and were thinking of leaving the hotel by 7am. Is that early enough? What is traffic like around that time of day and year? Any tips on what to expect that time of year weather wise? Any other places you would suggest to visit? Any good places to eat? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth,
It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive directly from Flagstaff, AZ, to Page, AZ. However, if your tour departs at 9:30 AM, your tour company will probably require that you check in anywhere between 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM, so you may need to leave earlier. Check whatever confirmation correspondence your tour company sent you to verify this.
As for traffic on the road, vehicular traffic would probably be on the light side that early in the morning, but what you need to watch out for are deer, elk, and other animals such as free range cattle and even wild horses. Highways in Northern Arizona tend to be very dimly lit — a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky — and sunrise technically doesn’t occur until 7:35 AM. We normally advise against driving in the dark due to the lack of ambient lighting and potential danger of a collision with animals. If you can possibly rearrange your plans so that you can stay overnight in Page, AZ, the day prior to your Antelope Canyon tour, that would make for a safer and more relaxed experience for all concerned.
Weather will be cold, with the possibility of rain and snow. At 7,000′ above sea level, Flagstaff tends to get the heaviest amounts of snow — another good reason to come up to Page, AZ, the day before — but it’s too soon to know for sure at this point. Start monitoring weather in both locations about 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel.
Other sights to visit during your stay include, but are certainly not limited to, Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Point Marina, the Big Water Visitors Center, the “New” Wave, and the Glen Canyon Conservancy Museum, just to name a few. However, if you keep your original plans to make your visit to Page, AZ, a day trip, you’ll need to get back on the road to Flag (that’s what we call it around here) no later than 3:00 PM so you’re not doing any of the drive back in the dark.
For restaurants, you have your choice of everything from McDonald’s and Denny’s to chicken and waffles, sushi, and even Pacific Island cuisine! Please note that some restaurants may be on seasonal hiatus or temporarily closed so the owners can enjoy the New Year’s holiday with their families. Best restaurants in Page, AZ according to TripAdvisor
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much for all the info Alley! Even though the thought of seeing all that wildlife sounds exciting, we will definitely stay in Page overnight!
Hey again, Elizabeth!
Good call on overnighting in Page, AZ 🙂
Take care and have fun,
Alley 🙂
I love Arizona especially in fall and early spring. That pool looks grandiose. Dinner and show at Into the Grand sounds very interesting. I’ll check it out next time I’ll visit.
Hi Robin,
Please do check out “Into The Grand,” and let us know how you like it!
Alley 🙂
I had the pleasure of visiting Horseshoe Bend last week! We saw the bend from above and also did a float trip with Wilderness River Adventures to experience the bend from the river. I was appalled at the number of tourists climbing the rocks beyond the protection of the overlook railing in order to take selfies. The sandstone cliff edges can easily crumble and are risky to stand on. I understand that selfie takers are taking crazy risks all around the world these days, but the Horseshoe Bend brochure shows a photo of selfie takers on rocks near the edge of the cliff. This irresponsible photo seems to condone, if not encourage risky photo taking at Horseshoe Bend. I recommend the brochure be revised to remove this photo and encourage tourists to take photos from overlooks with guard rails and/or safe distances from unstable cliff edges.
Hi Lee and thank you for visiting.
We totally agree, the things that some people do at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook give us the heebee-jeebies as well. The safety railing obviously has done nothing to deter people from taking crazy risks, as we predicted would be the case.
Regarding the brochure you’re referring to with the precarious photo, unfortunately we did not publish that particular pamphlet. I would recommend looking on the backside of it to see who puts it out (Chamber of Commerce? National Park Service? Local tourism council?) and hopefully they will have the appropriate contact information for you.
Thank you again and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂
Thank you! I was worried it was too much and didn’t know about the driving conditions. Monument Valley is a must (we have it on our bucket list and it’s one of the main reasons we are headed out that way). There’s a ride at Disney World called Soarin’ and our family bucket list is to see all the places that are featured in that ride. Mitten Buttes is one of them:)
I’ll look into the plane rides. Thanks again!!
Hi KC,
You are welcome! Hope you have a wonderful time, and feel free to write back in and let us know how things went 🙂
Take care and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂
Hi I am planning a trip with my family in March and need a little help with the timing. Worried I am cramming too much in. We definitely want to see the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley. Those are bucket list items. Horseshoe Bend looks beautiful and so does Zion. Can you let me know if this itinerary sounds reasonable? We are renting an RV.
March 17th – Day 1 – Arrive in Vegas 230PM – plan to stay the night
Day 2 – Leave Vegas by 11AM and drive to Hoover Dam. On road by 3PM drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (KOA campground) Stay night
Day 3 -Drive to Grand Canyon Camper Village (about 2 hours from the KOA) and shuttle to south rim. See sights and stay night
Day 4 – Drive to 4 corners monument then to Monument Valley (stay night at monument valley)
Day 5 – Horseshoe Bend and Zion Park (stay night at Zion)
Day 6 – Zion for Day (stay night)
Day – Need to be back to Vegas for 1:30 flight. Drop off RV by 11 at the latest.
Hi KC,
Your suspicions are correct: you are attempting to cram too many destinations into too short a time frame. Also, some of your drive time estimates are a bit off.
On Day 2, for example, where you propose to leave the Las Vegas area by 3:00 PM, that won’t work. The drive time from Hoover Dam to Grand Canyon South Rim is ~4 hours. Sunset in Arizona occurs at about 6:30 PM, and you want to be sure to do your driving in this area during daylight hours. Roads in Northern AZ and Southern UT are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and wildlife like deer, elk, eve free range cattle and wild horses, tend to move about at night, which jacks up your risk of having an accident. Not something you want to have happen in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (or non-existent), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Long story short, if you want to experience sunset on the canyon rim, you want to be on your way out of Las Vegas well before 3:00 PM, more like 12:00-1:00 PM. Also, Grand Canyon KOA is actually located in Williams, AZ, which is 1 hour South of the park. Williams is also 1 hour South of Grand Canyon Camper Village, not 2 hours.
On Day 4, I’d recommend skipping 4 Corners and Monument Valley. Not that the area isn’t beautiful, but it’s a long swing out of your way, plus you’re shorting Page, AZ, which has more to offer. Besides, Monument Valley doesn’t have much to offer in the way of lodging, so I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is sold out already. Your trip coincides with Spring Break for many schools, so the area will be busy. If you really want to see Monument Valley, though, there might still be a way to work it in. More on that in a minute. So, day 4, instead of 4 Corners/MV, go directly to Page, AZ, to stay the night, maybe hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town. The next day, tour Antelope Canyon, then either spend another night in Page, or drive on to Zion (~2-2.5 hours from Page), stay the night in Springdale, UT
On your return day to Las Vegas, bear in mind that the drive might take a bit longer than you might expect due to a construction project on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. If you wish to drop your RV off at 11:00 AM at the latest, I’d recommend getting a bright and early start out of Springdale, or you might drive somewhere like Mesquite, NV, the night prior just to knock out the most difficult part of the drive first. If you do that (spend night 6 in Mesquite), you might head back to Vegas after making a detour to the stunning Valley of Fire State Park!
Oh, regarding how you might still be able to check Monument Valley off your to-do list without actually going there: fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport and take approximately 90 minutes to do an overflight of not only Monument Valley, but a ton of other amazing scenery, too! For more information visit Westwind Air Service Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
hello 🙂
I will go to the horseshoe bend in september for my BDay by car, where can I park? is there any entrance fee? how long does it get from the point I can leave the car to the observation point of the horseshoe?
and also is there any parking or traffic restriction in september? if I want to reach lake powell too, how does it work for car parking?
thankyou in advance.
francesca 🙂
Hi Francesca,
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook has a public parking area that is very easy to spot and very clearly signed. There is an entrance fee, which is $10 for a standard passenger car. The walk form the parking lot to the actual overlook is .6-7 miles one-way. At present, the trail is unpaved and can be quite sandy if recent weather has been dry.
For visiting Lake Powell, it is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is administered separately from Horseshoe Bend. The entrance fee to both the Lake Powell Resort and Antelope Point Marina complex is $30, however, this is good for one week’s time, so you can visit these areas as often as you wish as long as you keep your original entrance fee receipt!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi, Need help in planning a trip. Here is my planned itinerary
9/14 – arrive Las Vegas – spend the night
9/15 – drive to South Rim via Hoover Dam – spend the night at SR
9/16 – South Rim – spend the night
9/17 – Drive to MV – spend the night
9/18 – Drive to Page – Spend the night
9/19 – Page – spend the night
9/20 – Zion – spend the night
9/21 – drive to Las Vegas back
9/22 – Departure from Las vegas
Please let me know what you think. I may drop Monument Valley and add a day to Zion – what do you think? I still need to plan the activities at the designated spots. I am traveling with handicapped wife – She cannot take long walks, so I have limited options on walks and tours.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Tapan
Hi Tapan,
You kind of read my mind – looking at your itinerary, my first thought was that you didn’t have enough time in Zion. I would recommend dropping the night in Monument Valley in order to accommodate a second night in Zion, but there still might be a way you can work Monument Valley in: fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport, and Monument Valley overflights run about 90 minutes in length.
Just so you’re aware, the ADA-compliant trail to Horseshoe Bend is still under construction. I would hope it would be complete by the time your trip takes place, but it might not be. Even if it was, the walk to Horseshoe Bend and back from the City-managed parking lot is still going to be ~1.5 miles. If your wife is limited in the distances she can manage, you might be better off planning to visit Horseshoe Bend with Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. They access Horseshoe Bend via private land holdings on the Navajo Reservation that flank the overlook on the South side. From there, the walk to the rim is only 200 yards.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Thanks for your suggestion. We will take Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, but with that due my wife’s situation do we need 2 days at Page? Also, due to my wife’s handicap, what can we do at Zion? Kolob looks like a good option and definitely one night there will be well spent. Appreciate your thoughts on what to do at South Rim, Page and Zion which will be suitable for a handicap person. I am open to taking guided tours if it is offered for persons with handicap.
Please advise,
Thanks,
Tapan
Hi again, Tapan,
If you are able to spend 2 days in Page, AZ, you certainly won’t be disappointed in the scenery, or the opportunities.
For ideas on what to do in each stop on your tour, I would recommend consulting the National Park Service Accessibility Guides for each park. Links are posted below:
Zion National Park Accessibility Guide
Grand Canyon National Park Accessibility Guide
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Page, AZ) Accessibility Guide
Take care,
Alley 🙂
Please give info on traveling to Horseshoe Bend with dogs now that the shuttle runs from 7–7. Thank you!
Hi Lorrey,
If you are traveling with a dog and wish to visit Horseshoe Bend with them, the solution during the temporary lot closure period is to come before the parking lot closes at 7:00 AM, or to visit after it re-opens at 7:00 PM. FYI, the situation with the parking lot has been reported as being somewhat “fluid,” so the above-referenced times should be considered a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule.
Another option if you prefer to visit Horseshoe Bend during the lot closure period is to board your dog for a couple of hours while you go sightseeing. Pet boarding providers in the Page, AZ, area are: Angie’s Grooming, 928-614-8586; Page Animal Hospital (who I’ve used personally), 928-323-0057; and Pampered Pets, who I’m not familiar with, but they are well-rated on Google, 928-640-6898.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Maybe this isn’t the venue to vent, but after reading ALL of the comments and replies, I came to Horseshoe Bend today (traveling from Seattle) and waited ALL day til until my approach to the parking lot at 5:50-ish, thinking that I’d get in the parking lot at 6 like the mod instructed. I waited and waited until 6:15 in the huge line on the highway until I drove up and the security personnel said the hours have changed to 7am to 7pm NOT 10-6!!! It was a mess up there!!!! Someone is going to get into a serious accident over this cluster ****. Not a great finish to my already perfect day!!!
Dear Jackie,
No, this is a perfectly fine forum to vent! Obviously, the people on-site have changed things up again without informing us. We will update the site accordingly. I am so sorry about the cluster you encountered. Suffice it to say, we can’t wait until this project is over and done with.
Alley
Hello. I am planning to go to Horseshoe Bend on my own from Scottsdale in the beginning of April. What is the best easiest and cheapest way to get there without taking a tour bus. I am ok to take any transportation there without driving myself. I also understand that you need a guided tour person to enter the park. And that is ok. Also, how much that cost and how much the enterance fee. I think 370$ is a lot of money for me. Pls email me. Thanks
Hi Angelika,
Frankly, not being able to drive yourself is going to severely limit your options for visiting Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. A tour group may be your only realistic choice. Not all tour companies run their tours in large buses; many operate vans, mini-buses and other smaller vehicles for a more personalized experience. One such company is Vaughn’s Southwest Custom Tours. Another reputable company is Detours American West Tours . If the price tag of $370 is too much for you, then you’ll have to modify your expectations significantly. The least expensive package I’ve found out there is $350 with Tours4Fun, which caters primarily to the Chinese market.
Sorry I don’t have better news for you.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We are planning on coming to horseshoe bend first week of April, wanted to confirm when the last shuttle from the bend to the parking lot will depart and also what our options are if we would like to stay past the final shuttle departure time? Is it a long walk back?
Hi Ali,
At this time, the temporary Horseshoe Bend shuttle is operating between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The last shuttle from the overlook back to down departs at 6:00 AM. If you were to remain at the overlook beyond that time, the distance you’d have to walk back to town is ~2 miles. Map
The nearest hotels, such as Days Inn, Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, and Country Inn are 2 miles from Horseshoe Bend. Properties in the downtown area, such as the Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, and Travelodge are anywhere from a 4-6 mile walk from Horseshoe Bend.
Long story short, I wouldn’t recommend staying past the last departure of the shuttle! Also, services such as Uber, Lyft, and taxis are questionable at best when it comes to reliability, so they are not a viable “fall-back” option.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello I will be in Page, AZ in a few weeks. I am trying to book a trip to antelope canyon and the horseshoe bend, if we park and hike do we need to pay for a tour or any permits to hike horseshoe bend?
Hi Tia,
At the present time, there is no charge for admission to Horseshoe Bend, IF you park in the parking lot managed by the National Park Service. If you park in one of the private lots within the borders of the Navajo Indian Reservation, they charge $20/person to park your vehicle and get shuttled to the overlook.
For Antelope Canyon a guided tour is 100% required, and these should be booked in advance of your arrival. How To Book A Tour To Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley!
First off, thanks for all the wonderful information!
My girlfriend and I are visiting Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Birthday Arch September 28th and 29th. Is it possible to campout at Horseshoe Bend and/or The Birthday Arch? We would love to pitch a tent exactly where we hike and enjoy ourselves in the area overnight. What are your suggestions?
Thank you,
Jacob
Hi Jacob, and thanks for this great question. Unfortunately, I have a not-so-great answer: camping is a no-no, both at Horseshoe Bend and Birthday Arch. However, a good compromise for you both might be Lone Rock Beach. It is located on the Arizona/Utah border within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It offers semi-primitive camping, meaning there are bathrooms, but no showers. Nightly camping fee is $12. For information on other camping options near Page, AZ, check out this article on our sister site, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ “Camping & RV Options Near Antelope Canyon” One site not listed in that article that has emerged of late as a popular car camping spot is the “New” Wave, which is located on the West side of US89 just past the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge. It is easily accessible, and offers a bonus feature in the form of an easy, scenic hike to a formation known as “Radio Tower Rock.” However, there are no facilities. You must be prepared to pack out all trash, including waste.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
I’d like to plan a weekend trip to horseshoe bend in October. We’d leave Thursday night from Los Angeles and have to return by Sunday night. I was wondering if it’d be best to drive there (although I know it can be lengthy, I also heard there are other views along the way that might make it worth it) or if we should fly in? Also, where would it be best to stay once near horseshoe bend? All information is appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Claudia,
Apologies for the delay in response to your question, I myself have been traveling a bit!
The drive from LA to Page takes about 9 hours. You might use Las Vegas as a “midway” point to break up the drive Thursday night, then make a slight detour through Zion National Park the following day as you make your way to Page (5.5-6 hour drive). Tour Antelope Canyon when you arrive in Page (with advance reservations), stay in Page, AZ on Friday night, then hit Horseshoe Bend first thing on Saturday morning before heading to Grand Canyon South Rim. Stay overnight either inside the park or Tusayan/GC Village South (Grand Canyon hotels) on Saturday night, then head for LA Sunday morning. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to LA takes ~7.5-8 hours.
As for where to stay in Page, AZ, there are over 2 dozen hotels in that area, ranging in price points and amenity class from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between.
Regarding whether or not flying in is a possibility, it is, but it doesn’t necessarily make for a convenient or cheap option. You’d have to fly from LA to Phoenix, then hop on a flight with Contour Airlines into Page, AZ. There is only 1 rental car outlet in town, which is AVIS if I remember correctly. You would have to do a local rental, whereby you pick up your vehicle and drop it off in Page. They do not allow 1-way rentals.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Is it possible to visit horseshoe bend and antelope canyon in one day? We will be driving from Vegas and wanted a quick one day trip. I noticed that they are very close. How exactly do i get to horseshoe bend? Is there an address i can enter in GPS? I would hate to miss an exit and waste time driving around. Same goes for antelope canyon. Where would i park and how far is the walk from the parking to the actual canyon? How much is the fee to get in?
Hi Marta!
Yes, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend can be visited in one day, however, since you are doing this as a day trip from Las Vegas, be sure to get as early a start as you possibly can. It takes approximately 4.5 hours, each way, to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (the gateway town to both attractions). The GPS coordinates to Horseshoe Bend are W 36-52-34.1 N 111-30-38.25, but honestly, I don’t think you’ll need them. The overlook is very clearly signed near mile marker 545 on US89 just South of Page. You’ll notice the parking lot right away, and probably a line of cars waiting to turn into it. I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to visit, but during peak travel periods, the parking lot is often full. If this is the case when you visit, you will not be allowed to “squeeze in” somewhere, or park on the side of the highway. You’ll be asked to return at a later time and try your luck again. If the parking lot is full when you do, you’ll be asked to come back … again. This is one of several reasons why we strongly recommend you alter your schedule so that you can spend the night in Page, AZ and visit Horseshoe Bend when it’s a. less crowded and b. a lot cooler, which is just after sunrise. If this is not possible, there are other ways of seeing Horseshoe Bend without dealing with the parking hassles. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend”
Regarding Antelope Canyon, the answers to your specific questions depend on which branch of the canyon you wish to tour. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy, 100 yard walk out and back. You are driven to the mouth of the canyon in a safari-style vehicle. For Lower, the canyon’s entrance is about a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot. You then descend into the canyon via a ladder. Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon
Be sure to reserve an Antelope Canyon tour in advance of your arrival. For more information on tour times, fees, etc. visit How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We’re taking his parents and my dad on a trip of a lifetime and would love help with a four-night, five day itinerary, arriving in Phoenix, seeing both the South Rim and North Rim, hopefully taking the scenic routes to see Reservations along the way. Can you help?
Hi Lisa,
First off, I hope you’re planning this trip for next year, because lodging at the North Rim is already booked up for 2018. Another thing to keep in mind is that the North Rim is only open between May 15th and October 15th.
If you’re planning your visit for this year, then there is a possible way to work the North Rim in, which I’ll get to in a bit.
With a 5 day/4 night itinerary using Phoenix as your “staging city,” I’d recommend 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim, 1 night in Page, then 2 nights in Sedona. Hotel availability at Grand Canyon South Rim should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your plans revolve, and evolve. The next trip element that should be secured is an Antelope Canyon Tour. As for where Sedona falls on your itinerary, you can hit it on the way up to Grand Canyon and Page, or, save the shorter drive for the last part of your tour by visiting Sedona last.
At Grand Canyon South Rim, it is possible to get on a flight tour that will take you over Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) daily. While tour flights don’t land at the North Rim (no airstrip or landing pads), they do show you enough of it so you can get a sense for how different it is from the South Rim. Flights should be booked for the morning hours when light is optimal and winds are relatively calm.
The route described above will take you through the Navajo Indian Reservation as well.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi, what do you think of going from kanab to flagstaff in one day with 2 stops, one to hike horse shoe bend and one to drive a little in monument valley.
Are there gas station and shops to buy fresh water on the way? it will be this july
Hello,
What do I think? That’s WAAAAAAAAY too much driving for one day. It’s at least 6 hours to go from Kanab, UT to Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, then to Flagstaff. That’s wheels turning, no stops. That won’t give you much in the way of quality time at either Horseshoe Bend or Monument Valley. If possible, try to break up the drive by staying overnight somewhere like Monument Valley or Page.
If you must do this in one day, yes, there are gas stations and shops along the way, albeit they are somewhat few and far between in the Navajo Reservation, so fill up your tank in Page, AZ, then maybe stop in Cameron, AZ if you find yourself running low before you get to Flagstaff.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, I’m planning on traveling from Las Vegas on an overnight trip to take pictures of Horseshoe Bend, South Rim and Antelope Canyon. Can i sleep at the Horseshoe Bend in my car? Is there any law about that in the park?
Hi Luke,
Sorry, but this isn’t a realistic plan for an overnight trip.
It takes ~4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Then, you’re looking at another long drive to Page, AZ (where Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are at). If you look on Google Maps, you’ll get a figure of ~2.5 hours to make that leg of the drive, but that’s driving direct, which almost never happens. There are over half a dozen viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can, and likely will, stop at before you exit the park. There are also many points of interest on the Navajo Indian Reservation, which you’ll pass through before arriving in Page, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation viewpoints, just to name a few. Upon arriving in Page, you’ll need to allow about 2 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, and another 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend.
After that, it’s another 4.5 hour drive back to Las Vegas, but, time permitting, you might detour through Zion National Park on the way.
A better plan would be to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels, then overnight in a Page, AZ, hotel or vice versa depending on your preference, lodging availability, etc.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Overnight camping is strictly forbidden at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Also, if you’re traveling in the summer months, you wouldn’t want to car camp anyway as nights are quite warm. If your trip is planned for one of the milder months of the year, such as late September-early November or late March-early May, a popular (and free) camping spot that has recently “emerged” on the scene is The “New” Wave. This small but interesting cluster of rock formations is located on US89 just West of the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge as you head from Page, AZ to Kanab, UT. You would then turn left onto a relatively good unmarked gravel road, take a right shortly after, then another left. The turn-off is not a marked, plus the road may be prone to washing out, so if any signage states “no admittance,” obey it. Also, keep in mind this is primitive camping — no toilets, no nothing. For other suggestions for good camping spots in the Page, AZ area, read Camping & RV Options Near Antelope Canyon
Hi we are RVing an would like and stop to visit horsebend on the way to Zion…. is there RV parking spots?
Hi Dawn,
Yes, there are parking spots that are big enough to accommodate RV’s and buses at Horseshoe Bend. However, I would strongly advise getting there first thing in the morning or sometime thereabouts as the area tends to get very congested toward mid-day as tour bus traffic rolls in from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and elsewhere.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Ryan and Alley
Thank you so much for the infos. You guys really help us a lot. I will be travelling with my 12-year old son and your infos are rock!
Thank you so much for your kind compliments Luzi! We hope you have a wonderful vacation.
For more great travel tips and information, visit our sister site, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂 …and Ryan!
Hello!
A group of us are planning a road trip starting from the Inland Empire, CA.
We have a total of 7 days (driving back home the morning of the 7th day.)
The destinations we are trying to go to are Zion, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend and West rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Itinerary so far is to spend 2 nights in Zion, drive over to Lake Powell and spend the day doing the Antelope canyon tour and horseshoe bend, Then heading out the next morning to the West Grand canyon.
Does this order sound like good plan and that we would have enough time at each destination? Do you recommend we stop and see another location too?
Also, are there any specific cities you recommend we stay in to level out the driving time to each location?
Thank you!
Hi KC,
Your plan looks pretty good, with one notable exception: why go to Grand Canyon West and not Grand Canyon South or North Rim? If your objective is to tour the Grand Canyon Skywalk and maybe take a helicopter flight to the canyon floor, then these are objectives that can only be accomplished at Grand Canyon West. However, if it’s your first visit to the Grand Canyon, then the South Rim will be the better choice. There’s a larger area of the Grand Canyon to tour, plus more in the way of visitor services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). The South Rim also has the “picture postcard” views that you and your party are expecting to see. You cannot go below the rim by helicopter at the South Rim, but you can fly over it, or take a short hike below the rim on the Bright Angel Trail if you wish. You should plan to spend the night there, then maybe head to Las Vegas for a night before returning home. OR you could go to GC West then overnight in Kingman, AZ or Laughlin, NV on Day 6, but that will entail about 6 hours driving in 1 day’s time. Push came to shove, it’s about a 7 hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Riverside, CA.
So — here’s how I’d ‘restructure’ your trip:
Day 1: Drive to Las Vegas (3.5 hours), overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2: Drive to Zion (3-4 hours), overnight in Zion NP or Springdale, UT (on the Western border of the park)
Day 3: Tour Zion, 2nd overnight in Springdale
Day 4: Drive to Page/Lake Powell, AZ (~2 hours drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5: Visit Horseshoe Bend, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 6: Drive to Grand Canyon West (4.5 hours). Overnight in Kingman, AZ or Laughlin, NV (~90 minutes from GC West).
Day 7: Head home (~4.5 hours drive from Kingman, AZ or Laughlin, NV to Riverside, CA)
Hope that helps!
Whatever you decide, be sure to reserve all hotels and guided tours in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Is there RV parking in the parking lot?
Hi Aprille,
There is sufficient space for RV’s in the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, however, it gets very busy during the mid-day hours with tour bus traffic. For maximum enjoyment of the overlook, try and arrive there shortly after sunrise, or sometime before 10 AM.
Have fun 🙂
Alley
Great website and so much great information! We are driving
Day 1: Vegas –> Grand Canyon starting 11am and after finishing GC, driving to Sedona to spend 2 nights there.
Day 2&3: Sightseeing in Sedona for 2 days, Drive to Page in evening (what latest time you recommend?)
Night 3: Stay Page in the evening.
Day 4: Lower Antelope canyon tour in early morning (9am). We then plan on going to HorseShoe bend on our way back to Vegas airport for a late night flight out.
Does that sound right?
Hi Raj and thank you for your compliments!
On Day 1, you are IMO planning on doing too much driving. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, driving direct, then another 2-2.5 hours to drive to Sedona. You won’t have much time to see the Grand Canyon at all, plus depending on the time of year of you’re visit, you could be cutting it too close to sunset, resulting in doing part of the drive to Sedona in the dark, which is not advisable due to lack of artificial lighting on local roadways. A better plan would be to either start earlier from Las Vegas and give yourself more time for sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, or plan to spend the night at the Grand Canyon so you can catch sunset and sunrise on the rim. Those are really the best photo ops you’ll encounter. How To Book A Grand Canyon Hotel
As for the “latest” time I recommend arriving in Page, as I alluded to in my comments about the Grand Canyon, try to avoid driving in the dark. If you can, try to time your arrival in Page for late afternoon, which is one of the better opportunities for viewing Horseshoe Bend. For those coming in from the South, we always recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend on the way into Page, since it’s located just South of town.
If you’re touring Lower Antelope Canyon at 9 AM, you may encounter a bit of a wait until your tour actually starts, again, depending on the time of year you’re visiting and the crowds, so plan on leaving Page at 1:00 PM, realistically, factoring in some time to get lunch before leaving the area. The Deli at Big Lake Trading Post is located conveniently on your way out of the Antelope Canyon area.
The drive back to Las Vegas will then take another 4.5 hours (direct). Time permitting, you might be able to swing through Zion National Park on your way back, which won’t add a lot of time to the drive in terms of wheels on the road, but would probably add time due to the inevitable sightseeing stops you’d end up making. If you’re cutting it too close to flight time, then skip it.
Now — I’m possibly going to throw a wrench into your whole plan here, but you might consider changing the order in which you visit the sites on your list in order to get the most out of the drive and avoid backtracking (repeating the same routes).
Here’s what I suggest:
Day 1: Vegas to Sedona: the drive, again, takes about 4.5 hours, spend 2 nights in Sedona
Day 2: Sedona to Grand Canyon, again, a 2.5 hour drive, spend 1 night at the Grand Canyon, OR drive on to Page and spend the night (see Day 3 details for drive times)
Day 3: Grand Canyon to Page, 2.5 hours direct, but will end up taking more along the lines of 4 hours because there are many viewpoints on the Grand Canyon that you’ll end up stopping at en route. The Cameron Trading Post (at the junction of AZ64/US89) is another recommended stop. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, spend the night in Page.
Day 4: Tour Lower Antelope Canyon, drive back to Las Vegas (4.5-5 hours), fly home.
If you’re not locked into hotel reservations yet, modifying your plan thus certainly warrants consideration.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
We are planning to drive to Page from vegas on 8th March 2018.
On the way we intend to visit Bryce canyon and the wave.(Are these self tours or needs reservations and bookings)
On 9th we palnning to cover Antelope canyon(thanks to your site,we have booked a tour ) ,Horshoe bend (can this be done by self )and if time permits Lake powell.
For 10th Monument valley and then back to vegas.
Is this achievable and is there anything else that is a must see and can be covered in 3 days plan?
Plus what are the best vegetarian places to eat in and around Page?
Thank You!
Hi Komal,
Thank you for your inquiry! Hope you’re looking forward to your trip.
Hate to say this, but your itinerary is unrealistic. You’re proposing to do too much driving on day 1. It takes 4 hours alone to make the drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon; it then takes another 3+ hours to make the drive to Page, AZ. Another factor to keep in mind is that days are relatively short at this time of year. Sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, sunset at 6:30 PM, and driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roadways.
The Wave requires advance permit, so you’ll have to cross it off the list. Horseshoe Bend can be toured at one’s leisure 24/7.
Likewise on your departure day: too much driving. The trip from Page, AZ to Monument Valley takes approximately 2 hours. Going back to Las Vegas from there will take an additional 6 hours. What would be more realistic would be going back to Las Vegas from Page via Zion National Park. You could also drive to Page via Zion from Las Vegas if you prefer.
We understand that this is probably a once in a lifetime vacation and it’s tempting to try and see “everything,” but doing so in the limited time you have will only detract from the enjoyment of your trip.
Now, one way to possibly get in a few of the attractions you want to see without doing so much driving is to fly over them. Charter and scheduled flights are operated weather permitting from the Page Municipal Airport. You might try inquiring with Grand Canyon Airlines by phoning their Las Vegas office at 702.577.9060 or e-mailing [email protected]
As for vegetarian restaurants in Page, there are none that are strictly vegetarian per se, but most restaurants in the area are prepared to accommodate the needs of vegetarian and vegan patrons. Page Arizona Restaurants
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful time!
Alley 🙂
I have a few questions. If we stay in Page and drive – is there parking for the vehicle? What is the cost? Also, after the 3/4mile hike is there a fee? or can we just walk and look? We are also interested in the upper Antelope slopes. Is that something that can be done without a tour? Are there any fees to go in? Parking fees?
Hi Dennisse, and thank you for visiting us!
So let’s dig into your questions:
1. Is there parking for your vehicle at Horseshoe Bend? Yes, and it’s being expanded as we speak.
2. What is the cost? At the present time, there is no cost to visit Horseshoe Bend. That could change in the future since it is technically within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but for now, it’s free.
3. After the 3/4 mile hike is there a fee or can we just walk and look? Here again, no fee, just walk up and stay as long as you wish.
4. Is Upper Antelope Slot Canyon something that can be done without a tour? No – Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, therefore an authorized guide/tour is required to visit it. Reservations should be made in advance. There are no parking fees, per se, but your tour price will include a Navajo Tribal Park Permit Fee. For more information on tours and rates, visit How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂
A friend mentioned you need to register in advance to hike to Horseshoe Bend, yet I don’t see anything on this site indicating that is required. Could you please confirm if that is the case. Thank you in advance!
Hi Vanessa, thank you for your inquiry. Advance registration is NOT necessary to visit Horseshoe Bend. It is presently open 24/7/365. You can visit whenever you wish!
Happy traveling,
Alley 🙂
Hi! Thank you for this page and all the information you provide!
We are planning a trip to west coast USA from Finland in mid June 2017. We want to visit Grand canyon and the horseshoe bend. Would you think we could do that in schedule like this:
Day 1: drive from LA/Big bear lake to Kingman AZ, stay a night
Day 2: Drive from Kingman to horseshoe bend, spend an hour or so and drive to south rim for sunset and spend a night there.
Day 3: Explore south rim in the morning, leave afternoon and drive to Kingman or somewhere near and spend a night.
Day 4: Drive back to Big bear lake area/Barstow/Bakersfield.
Some of our group members might stay at the Big bear lake in the meantime others go see Grand canyon area. That’s why it’s on our itinerary. If they get a ride/bus etc from there to Barstow for example, we don’t need to get back there. We are continuing our journey to Sequoia after trip to GC.
Thanks in advance!!
Hi Anna and thank you for visiting our site!
Day 2 of your trip involves too much driving. It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Kingman, AZ to Page, AZ. It then takes another 3 hours or so to drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. We also discourage nighttime driving in this part of the US due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local highways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife to congregate in these areas.
I recommend staying the night in Page, AZ on your second day of travel, that way you can also enjoy a tour of Antelope Canyon, then travel to the South Rim in the morning. You’ll end up doing a vast majority of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon on the drive from Page, so you won’t miss a thing! If you spend the night at the South Rim, then drive back to Big Bear the next morning, you’re looking at a 6.5 hour drive. You might also consider driving as far as Williams, AZ or Kingman, AZ, but again, avoid driving after sunset.
Hope that helps! Have a safe trip,
Alley 🙂
Hello,
Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my queries; here is my itinerary.
We are planning a trip in April 2018, leaving Vegas hotel at 7 am, driving straight to Horseshoe Bend, taking the lower canyon tour at 3:14 pm and leaving for Grand Canyon right after.
Is this feasible? We will be spending 2 nights at the Grand Canyon and will visit the SkyWalk on our way back to Vegas.
Any thoughts, suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Dear Jagruti,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site!
Sorry, friend, but this sounds like too much driving. It takes 4.5-5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page. It then takes another 2.5-3 hours to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim. Driving at night is not recommended in this part of the country due to the lack of supplemental lighting on the roads, and the possible presence of wildlife. Stay the night in Page instead, then get an early start to the South Rim. 1 night there is enough to enjoy it, plus you’ll do a lot of sightseeing on the drive between Page and the South Rim.
Those staying at the South Rim are probably better off skipping the Skywalk. For one, it’s a LONG drive to get there from the South Rim – about 4.5 hours. It’s also a very expensive proposition, ranging from $80-$150+ per person (not per car – per PERSON) depending on what other add-ons you choose to take. Then you’re looking at another 2 hour drive from Grand Canyon West back to Las Vegas.
The South Rim is the quintessential, “real” Grand Canyon. It’s where the picture postcard views that you’re expecting to see can be had. Grand Canyon West, though scenic in its own way, is more about the “gimmicks;” the experiences that can’t be had at the National Park side (South Rim), and for those, you’ll pay a pretty penny.
Hope that helps you. Have fun!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
After doing ton of research, I found that going to antelope is better to take part of the photograhy tour. Otherwise, you will have amost no chance taking picture and ton of people are absolute nightmare.
To take part of this photo tour, I guess I have to stay 2 night in Page. Which leave me to this question…
I cant drive in US (license issue from my country are not allowed) so my choice is to take a flight into page. Do you have any openion about greatlake airlines? I heard it is horrible and the cancellation are on daily basis.
Otherwise, i would have to fly to flagstaff and find some transportation into page (which is none i found > < )
Do you have any suugestion?
Thanks for ur help
Dear Ayre,
You’ve unfortunately happened upon one of the challenges to planning a trip in this part of the US: mass transit options (buses, trains, planes, etc.) are severely limited at best, non-existent at worst. Being unable to drive is going to place some limits on your options, we can’t lie to you about that.
I’ve actually flown on Great Lakes without a problem. I think some of the reports you may have heard are exaggerated, but every airline out there has its occasional off-day, even the majors.
If you opt to fly into Flagstaff, you will indeed be limited on your options for visiting Antelope Canyon. Due to photography tours being longer, and the driving distances and other logistics involved, tour companies are limited to doing the general sightseer’s tour. However, I wouldn’t let that deter you from taking a tour out of Flagstaff as you should still be able to take good photos regardless.
Another option you might consider is flying into Las Vegas and taking an Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Air-Ground Tour. This tour offering is brand new, literally just came on the market days ago. Instead of driving by car, you are taken by fixed-wing plane to Page, where you are then taken on a ground tour of Antelope Canyon (again, the sightseeing tour, not the photography tour) and Horseshoe Bend Overlook and fly back to Las Vegas the same day.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe traveling to you,
Alley 🙂
What is the nearest airport to Horseshoe bend, lake havasu, page area.
Hi Jamie,
This is an excellent question, that has something of a long answer LOL
The nearest airport, geographically speaking, to Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell (I assume you meant that instead of Lake Havasu) and Page is the Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Scheduled flights from Phoenix are offered by Great Lakes Airlines landing in Page several times a day.
Flagstaff/Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff, Arizona (FLG) would be the next closest airport, 2.5 hours drive from Page. Scheduled flights also depart out of Phoenix.
However, for convenience and price, most visitors to the Page area utilize either Phoenix/Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) or Las Vegas/McCarran (LAS). Either airport is about 4.5 hours drive from Page, AZ, and depending on what areas you wish to visit, make for convenient starting points for loop itineraries that include Sedona, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon, among other attractions.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello, we plan to visite Zion in 1 day, then Bryce in half day,canyondland in 1 day, then horseshoes bend with antelope in 1 day. Does it sound possible? And what kind of car do we need during January road condition?
Thank you in advance
Hello Jn and Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting our site.
Does your plan sound possible? Yes. Does it sound ideal? No. Bottom line is you’re trying to cram too many parks into a very short trip and I suspect you might not be factoring in accurate drive times.
Let’s start with Zion: it’s a HUGE park and you really need 2 days there to do it justice. The main sights of Bryce Canyon can be seen in half a day, but a full day, again, will be a nicer experience. Canyonlands, in our opinion, needs to come off the list. It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Bryce Canyon to Moab, UT (the gateway city), then a 5+ hour drive from Moab to Page (where Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located). One day is a sufficient timeframe to visit Page in the wintertime, but here again, two days are better.
As for what kind of car you need, you can certainly request a 4WD vehicle from your rental car outlet, but the “catch-22” is that off-road driving and the use of snow chains are prohibited. So really, any type of vehicle that fits your traveling party and budget will do. If you run across inclement weather, simply wait it out and/or reschedule your trip. Having an extra day’s “wiggle room” by taking Canyonlands off the table would certainly be helpful in that regard.
Hope that helps. One more thing, be sure to book your lodging and Antelope Canyon tour in advance of your arrival if you haven’t already done so.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hey, Greetings from the land Down Under! I’m doing a solo road trip in May 2018 and would love some advice. I leave Laguna Beach where I’m staying for the month onto Tempe, AZ for 2 nights (with a day trip to Tombstone), then onto Sedona for 2 nights. From here I have about 3 maybe 4 days free before returning to Laguna Beach but have not booked anything in regards to accommodation. I really want to see Horse Shoe bend, South Rim then head back via Kingman / Lake Hasavu, Palm Springs. What would you recommend as I don’t want to be rushed? Could I leave Sedona for Horseshoe then come back for a night in Kingman? Is the South Rim worth the drive? Whats your thoughts on Lake Hasavu for a night? Thanks
Hi, Tony and thanks for visiting!
We’re very happy to see that you’re planning for your visit well in advance. With 3-4 days to work with, you can hit everything on your wish list, but if you can possibly extend your time to 4-5 days, you’ll have a much better time.
I’d recommend the following itinerary for you:
Day 1 – Sedona to Page, AZ (~3 hour drive), hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
Day 2 – Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim (2.5-3 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Grand Canyon South Rim to Lake Havasu City, AZ (3.5 hours), overnight in Lake Havasu
Day 4 – Lake Havasu to Laguna Beach (4.5 hours)
Lake Havasu City, AZ has a decent selection of hotels. You might also consider Laughlin, NV if you like gambling. Either place would still put you about 4.5 hours out of Laguna Beach, CA.
Whichever you choose, be sure to book your accommodations here soon, especially at Sedona, Grand Canyon and Page.
Best wishes for safe traveling,
Alley 🙂
Hey again Alley, thanks so much for the reply and info! Very much appreciated mate……
Just a couple other questions, What is the best hotel at South Rim (Grand Canyon Village) you recommend to stay for the night and can you walk from the hotel straight onto the trails like Point Sublime and Uncle Toms Pt or do you have to catch a bus from the hotel etc to get to the entry of the trails? Do you need to pay a fee to walk the trails? I checked out Laughlin, as I’m not a gambling man I will probably give it a miss. It does look cool though but time wont be on my side. I have fond memories of Lake Tahoe and Big Bear form 2015 and 2016 and I’m sure Lake Hasavu will be cool as well. I think I’ll stay at the Nautical Resort in Hasavu or London Bridge, have not made my mind up as yet. Looking forward to 2 days chill out in Sedona, I hear it’s a great little town. Definitely doing Slide Rock Park and Devils bridge trail. Thanks again!!! Tony the Aussie 🙂
Hi again, Tony,
Well, the best hotel at the South Rim is generally considered to be the El Tovar Hotel, with the Bright Angel Lodge a close second, but there’s another thing that’s setting off alarm bells for me: Point Sublime and Uncle Jim’s Point are located on the NORTH Rim! If you’re wanting to go there – and mind you, the North Rim is only open from May 15th through October 15th – then there is only one hotel in the park, and a couple others located nearby. If you’re staying in Sedona, the South Rim would be the more convenient side of the Grand Canyon to visit. The North Rim would be 5 hours away.
That said, you can actually walk to several viewpoints from any of the South Rim lodges. For those located outside of easy walking distance, you can use the free Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Shuttle Service to get to. You’ll also be able to hit many beautiful viewpoints on the drive from Page to the Grand Canyon.
As to whether you have to pay to walk the trails, you don’t, but there a fee is charged to enter the park, which is presently $30 per vehicle, and good for one week’s time.
Take care and enjoy your trip!
Alley 🙂
Sublime info mate, thanks again! I wont be going anywhere near the North so all good.
Hey Alley,
Wondering if you know of any photographers in the area that could do a quick photo shoot of my family? I don’t want to use too much of our day, but would like some good shots in the area. Thanks again for this VERY informative site! Your answers are refreshing and informative!
Jen
Hi Jennifer,
I can put some feelers out and give your e-mail address to whoever responds. Is that OK? Meanwhile, you might check out this list of portrait photographers in Page, AZ on YellowPages.com
Take care and hope this helps find someone,
Alley 🙂
Hi! My friend and I are interested in coming here. Can you advise on the best flight from Seattle (with shortest drive) there?
Hi Helen,
Thanks for stopping by and for your excellent question!
Though your inquiry was short, you’ll find that the answer is a bit on the long side so bear with us:
the best flight here is not necessarily one that results in a shorter drive. Long drives are a fact of life in this part of the U.S. Major population centres are few and far between, therefore, any flights that get you close in proximity to some of our biggest attractions are neither convenient, nor inexpensive.
The majority of visitors to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park fly into one of two major airports: Phoenix/Sky Harbor (PHX) or Las Vegas/McCarran (LAS) airports. The drive from either of these airports to Page, AZ (where Horseshoe Bend is located) or Grand Canyon South Rim is approximately 4.5 hours one way, driving direct.
Now, if keeping your drive time to an absolute minimum is a high priority for you, there are flights available to Flagstaff/Pulliam Airport (FLG) and Page/Royce Knight Field (PGA). Flying into these airports would shorten your drive time to anywhere from 1.5 hours (from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim) to 2.5 hours (from Flagstaff to Page, or Page to GC South). In both cases, however, you would need to take a connecting through PHX first; there are no direct flights from Seattle or any other major cities into these smaller airports, which are primarily commuter airports served by twin turbo-prop airplanes seating anywhere from 19-50 people.
In my experience, which is quite extensive, people who have used these secondary airports as the “jumping off” point for their trips have afterwards regretted doing so, as they saved neither time nor money.
Again, long answer to a short question, but I hope it helps!
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
My spouse and I plan on taking this route fron Las Vegas:
Sedona, Az,
Page, Az
Monument Valley, UT
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Back to Las Vegas
How much time should we allow? Light hiking but mostly sightseeing.
Thanks!
Hi Patti!
Wow, that’s a pretty ambitious wish list. Hope you have at least a couple of weeks. In an ideal world, your itinerary would look something like this:
Sedona – 3 days
Page – 2 days
Monument Valley – 1 day
Arches – 3 days
Bryce – 1 day
Zion – 3 days
So that’s 12 days, not including Las Vegas.
One question: the Grand Canyon is noticeably absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there, or did you inadvertently leave it off? If you actually intend to go there, too, then allow 1-2 nights to visit the South Rim.
Also, this itinerary is highly dependent upon the weather. If you plan on visiting during the late fall/winter/early spring months, you can still have a wonderful time, but you might find some activities suspended for the season.
Feel free to contact us again if you have any other questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. With the number of National Parks you wish to visit, you’ll save time and money by purchasing an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee areas in the US for 1 year. The only areas it wouldn’t grant you access to are places like Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon, which are Native American Tribal Parks, and some of the attractions in Sedona, which are State Parks. If you live in the US, you can pre-purchase it online at https://store.usgs.gov/pass If it’s inconvenient for you to do so, you can simply pick up the pass at the first National Park you visit.
Thanks for the helpful and very informative answer Alley!
Hi Alley,
My boyfriend and I are planning on visiting Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and maybe Zion Canyon in early October. We live in LA and will drive for this trip. I did some research and wanted to ask you a few things (your answers seem so helpful to others!!).
1. How is the drive/road condition? Should I use my personal car, or getting a rental car for the tirp?
2. So far, we plan a 4 night 5 day trip:
Day 1: head from LA to GC and stay for 1 night
Day 2: head from GC to Page in the evening
Day 3: Horseshoe bend in the morning, and Antelope Canyon mid-day
– do you think the trip is a little rushed, or on a good pace?
3. If we want to do 4 nights 5 day trip, what’s your suggestion?
Thank you! Look forward to your reply and suggestions!
I meant currently we plan a 2 night 3 day trip, ops. Also, if we were to do a 3 night 4 day trip, what’s your suggestion?
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for visiting our site!
Let’s dive into your questions:
1. The roads from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are fully paved and well traveled. It is up to you whether you use your own personal vehicle or a rental.
2. Yes, I think your trip plan is rushed. The drive from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon alone is about 8 hours. You’ll be exhausted by the time you get to the park. You might consider driving to Las Vegas your first day then doing the trip to Grand Canyon on day 2. The driver from Vegas to Grand Canyon is ~ 4.5 hours.
3. If you can extend your trip to 4 days, that would be much better. That would allow you to take some quality time at each of the attractions you wish to see.
– Day 1: Drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, overnight in Vegas
– Day 2: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, overnight at Grand Canyon
– Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way to town, overnight in Page
– Day 4: Antelope Canyon Tour, drive to Zion National Park (about 2.5 hours), overnight in the town of
Springdale, UT
– Day 5: Drive back to Los Angeles (about 6.5 hours)
If you had to shorten your trip, you could still drive through Zion National Park on the way from Page, AZ to Las Vegas, NV, or drive direct from Page to Los Angeles, although at 9 hours, that would be less than ideal.
Hope that helps!
Have a great trip. Be sure to reserve your hotels and tours well in advance.
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much!
Alley,
You are incredible. I have never seen a travel “site” with such high-quality information. Have you considered providing this for San Francisco or, say, New York? An information-starved nation needs your help.
Awefully,
Jim Dickerson
Richmond, VA
Jim,
Why shucks, sir, you make us blush 🙂
As for the other areas you mentioned, you’ll find great insight on the Travel Forums of TripAdvisor. I myself contribute regularly to the Arizona and Utah forums as a Destination Expert; you’re sure to find tons of people equally knowledgeable about San Francisco and New York on those respective forums.
Thank you again for stopping by and hope you enjoy your travels in the Grand Circle!
Alley
Hi Alley,
I hope you’re well 🙂
Me and my husband are planning our dream trip to USA from GB.
One of our must see points is Grand Canyon. Do you think it will be possible to drive in a rented car up to Horseshoe Bend and explore it on ur own??
Do you know maybe if there’s enough car park for a private vehicles or we’d be better in a tour?
Thank you for your help 🙂
Cheers!
Hi Natalia, I am very well, thanks for asking! 🙂
Hope you are looking forward to your trip to the US and Arizona. Yes, it is possible to drive to Horseshoe Bend in your own vehicle and explore it at your leisure. It is open 24/7, 365 days of the year. The parking area is fairly good sized, although it can get quite full during peak visitation hours, which tend to be from 10:00 AM to sunset. That also depends on the time of year you’re visiting. Spring, summer and fall are tourist season in Page, AZ; winter tends to be quieter.
If you are inclined to leave the driving to someone else, there is a Page-based tour that includes a stop at Horseshoe Bend, and that would be the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tour. This tour takes you to Secret Canyon, one of the many beautiful slot canyons in the area, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon + Overlook Tour
Best wishes and safe travels!
Alley
Hi Allen,
Your response are so well answered, want to thank you for that. I have a question, do i need a permit to shoot engagement photo (not wedding) at Horseshoe bend and antelope canyon? It will be just the photographer and the two of us. thanks so mch
Hi Janelle and thanks for your compliments!
Technically, any time you visit Horseshoe Bend for any purpose beyond the usual sightseeing, you should apply for a Special Use Permit. Since the fee is non-refundable, however, I’d hate to see you waste your money, so you might try contacting National Park Service directly as a courtesy and let them know what you have in mind. The person you’d need to talk with is named Eric Nikkel, his phone # is 928-608-6323, or you can e-mail [email protected]
Congratulations on your engagement and enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂
Hi!
I was looking into coming to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon for my 30th birthday in August. My plan was to fly into PHX on Friday and drive early Saturday morning to Page. Spend the day/night there and then drive back to PHX in the morning to fly home late Sunday night. Is this something that can be accomplished in such a short time?
Dear Carlie,
Hi and thanks for your question. Yes, this can be done in the time you have with a little careful planning. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ – that’s going direct, with minimal stopping along the way. That rarely happens because there’s a lot of great scenery along that drive, including Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff, AZ.
Making your way up to Page in a leisurely fashion, you can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town easily since it’s just South of Page on US89.
Tour Antelope Canyon the next morning, then maybe swing by Sedona on your way back to Phoenix. Just make sure your drive is timed so you’re not driving in Northern Arizona at night. Supplemental/artificial lighting is kept to a minimum here, so once the sun goes down, it gets really dark, plus deer, elk and other wildlife tend to congregate near the roadways posing a safety hazard.
Personally, I’d recommend spending more time here so you could see the Grand Canyon, and maybe spend some quality time in Sedona, but I understand that schedules are busy, so one has to make hay while the sun shines!
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour ahead of time.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Wondering if there is parking for an 18 wheeler. Total combined leght is 63 foot height 13 feet 6′.
Hi Nick,
Depending on the time of day (meaning when no one is around), you might be able to get your rig into the parking lot, but you might have trouble turning it around when you’re ready to leave. As you can (hopefully) see from this satellite map, a lot of people end up parking on the side of US89 anyway.
The nearest place with actual truck parking is Wal-Mart Super Center, about 2.5 miles North of the Horseshoe Bend parking lot. Then it would be a question of how do you get from one place to the other if you’re not inclined to walk?
There is a taxi company called “Buggy Taxi,” but Google reviews are somewhat spotty, plus their most recent one is 6 months old. Their # is 928-645-6664 if you’d like to call them.
Sorry we couldn’t be more helpful! Good luck and continued safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley! Your page is very informative among others and so as your prompt replies, hoping I can receive the same for my concerns. I’ve been dying to know how to get married at the Horseshoe Bend. Do you know the proper procedures for it? Also, can you probably refer a coordinator for an elopement event there? What are tips and advice for this?
Hi Anne, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
Quick answer to “can I get married at Horseshoe Bend?” is “yes, you can!”
Long answser: since Horseshoe Bend lies within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a special use permit from the National Park Service is required. This can be obtained via the following link: https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/management/upload/Special-Use-Permit-Application-2017.pdf
Note that a non-refundable processing fee of $100 is required.
As for professional wedding planners in the area, you might try A Treasured Occasion. I do not have an e-mail address for them, but their phone # is 928-691-0484 or 928-645-0444. https://www.facebook.com/atreasuredoccasion/
Another service you could inquire about is My Arizona Wedding Guide. https://www.myarizonaguideweddings.com/ They are based in Scottsdale, but I know the owners personally and they spent many years in Page, AZ, so they know the area very well. Their phone # is 480-980-8121.
As for tips and advice, the simpler the better – if you’re wanting a big affair with tons of people, Horseshoe Bend is not the place to do it. Also, time your ceremony for earlier in the day, when it’s not as crowded. The terrain out there can be rough, lots of sand and rock, so high heels are not advised.
Hope that helps you get started. Congratulations again!
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much Alley, you’re wonderful.
Just a few more questions since the NPS GLCA haven’t replied to me yet: If ever our permit gets approved, do you think we still need a tour guide to get on the site? Or can we just do it ourselves?
Also, where do we have to present the permit? Just bring it along with us?
Also you have here in this website the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon tour: I’m wondering if it’s apt to us? I’m kinda confused if the tour covers Horseshoe Bend AND Slot Canyon, or just Slot Canyon alone?
Alley,
Thank you for your help! If you don’t hear back from the NPS, is it still legal to have a wedding there? Also, would you say Saturdays are the busiest day/time in the fall?
Hi Katie,
You must get clearance from NPS in order to legally hold a wedding at Horseshoe Bend. If you’ve applied for a permit and have yet to get an answer, give it some time, they get lots of requests for special use permits every day.
As for which days of the week are busier, the weekends definitely see bigger crowds during the fall months.
Alley 🙂
Hello alley I have a question how many miles takes from the parking lot to the next side of the horseshoe bend for a perfect picture I’m going next month!! Sooooo excited !
Hi Gabby,
You’ll be glad to know that the hike from the parking lot to the actual Horseshoe Bend Overlook is relatively short: .6 miles. However, there is a hill you must climb at the very beginning of the hike that may pose a challenge. If you’re in reasonably good health, though, you should be able to manage it. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes for walking and bring enough water for your entire party. This is the desert, after all.
Alley 🙂
Hi, Alley! I have been going crazy with research and reading the questions/responses posted here. I do hope this post finds you well.
I will be driving (2016 Honda Civic Sedan, 2WD) from California through Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming as part of a road trip in a week (July). I’ve never camped before in a tent by myself and I’m very excited. I was looking at staying overnight at Alstrom Point but read the 2WD will only get me to the first overlook. How is that view? My concern is that I can’t get all the way to the edge to overlook the lake as I’ve seen in the photos. Is it worth staying there if I can’t get out that far or is it better to just go down and stay at Lone Rock Beach? I’m a photographer so I’m looking to get great photos! I definitely want to see Horseshoe but wasn’t sure if there are any tent-only camp spots nearby for that. Most of the places I am interested in camping at are first-come, first-serve and I am afraid that once I find a spot and drive to get food or sightsee, my things will be gone. Is that a concern I should have?
From my overnight stay at either Horseshoe, Alstrom Point, or Lone Beach, I will head over to Bryce Canyon. I read the stars are amazing and I would like to camp there. Again, will my things be okay once finding a spot to setup, you think? I would like to explore Bryce and visit surrounding areas like Ruby’s for horseback riding and atv tours but may need to drive to reach this location after finding a campsite. What are your thoughts?
I’m also wondering if there are any waterfalls nearby at any of these locations particularly Bryce Canyon?
Hi Ashley, and thank you for your inquiry.
Your excitement about solo camping is palpable, but unfortunately, I have to throw a potential wrench in the works. It is extremely hot in the Page, AZ area during the month of July under normal circumstances; right now, the area is in the midst of an excessive heat warning. Camping may not be comfortable in light of this.
That said, you can still enjoy the night skies of the area even if you are staying at a hotel by driving a relatively short distance out of town. If you do opt to camp, you should be OK leaving your tent and other items at your campsite while you are out sightseeing. Still, no area is crime free. Use common sense. Don’t leave cash, jewelry or other valuables at your site unattended.
Regarding the drive to Alstrom Point, a 4WD vehicle is definitely recommended to drive all the way out there, but there are still some good views to be had on the paved and graded section of the road, which begins out of Big Water, Utah. If you’re wanting to see some waterfalls in the area, Calf Creek Falls is located approximately 90 minutes East of Bryce Canyon, but requires a 6-mile hike to get to the lower section of the falls. It may not be feasible at this time of year.
Instead of taking on something so ambitious and strenuous, you might try the Hanging Garden Trail. The turn-off is 1/4 mile (0.4 km) east of Glen Canyon Bridge (the opposite side of the bridge from Carl Hayden Visitor Center) on Highway 89 in Page. Trailhead parking is 500 yards (455 m) off of Highway 89.
This hike leads you to a seep that has given rise to a luxuriant hanging garden on the mesa high above the Colorado River and Lake Powell. It is about a 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip walk, and rated easy to moderate.
Hope that helps – safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hey Alley. I was just reading the comments and I was wondering if you can help me with this. I’ll be in Vegas next week so I was planning to rent a car and drive just to the Grand Canyon it says is 4 hours away. So my plan was to come back the same day. Do you think is a good idea? I mean I’ll be leaving at 7Am from Vegas so that way I’ll be driving back not later than 5. I know I won’t have enough time to see the other state parks I’ll be back later. But for now I just wanted to go to the one that is 4 hours away. Is the driving bad in the afternoon?
Hi Mabellyne,
Thanks for visiting our site!
First off, the driving distance from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon South Rim tends to be more like 4.5 hours, and that’s if you drive direct, which rarely happens. Many people like to stop at Hoover Dam, or the Bypass Bridge overlook on the way, plus there’s the inevitable requirement for comfort stops, fuel or just to snap a photo of something that might catch your eye.
With an early enough start, going from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back in a single day is possible, but not ideal. However, if staying overnight at the park is simply not an option, and you don’t imagine getting back to this area in the foreseeable future, then by all means, go for it. As for whether the driving is “bad in the afternoon,” if you’re referring to rush-hour type traffic, yes, it’s horrible in Las Vegas. Local highways should be busy, but not bumper-to-bumper. The biggest danger driving later in the day around here is due to the lack of supplemental lighting on the roads. Once the sun goes down, it gets very dark, plus deer, elk and other wildlife like to congregate near the highways up near the Grand Canyon. That’s the thing you to be most aware of. Yet another reason why spending the night will make for a much more comfortable experience.
Good luck, whichever way you decide to go,
Alley 🙂
Hello, I am looking for information to help me plan a swim around the Horseshoe.
Is there a hiking or bike trail from the overlook to the river? Is there a put in/take out to render the swim a 2-3 mile distance?
What month do temperatures top out upper 70’s and low 80’s? Ive visited AZ in June, July, August and do not wish to do so again, too hot for me! What is the typical water temperature?
From what I’ve gathered, it appears the easiest way to pull off the swim is to take the half day raft trip and swim from Horseshoe to The Ferry. I am not opposed to this but I prefer a swim that is a bit more adventurous. Do people kayak this stretch? Is it as lovely from the water as it appears from the overlook?
Final question, can you think of other epic swims in the area?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share.
Hi Jason,
Your desire to swim from Horseshoe Bend to Lees Ferry is ambitious, and may not be permitted, or even feasible.
First off, there is no hiking trail from the overlook to the river, so you would have to employ a backhaul service to get a kayak, canoe or other watercraft from Lees Ferry to the base Glen Canyon Dam. This service is offered by Colorado River Discovery, the float trip concessionaire.
Second – and most likely the biggest obstacle to your endeavor – is water temperature. The Colorado River in Glen Canyon fluctuates between 42-47 degrees (Fahrenheit) year-round, so without a good wetsuit, you will freeze.
Third, Glen Canyon is under the protection and jurisdiction of the National Park Service. They have the final say on who does what in this area, and there’s a good chance they may not allow you to pursue this activity anyway.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other great areas to swim in Lake Powell. Lone Rock Beach, the beach across from Wahweap Campground near the Stateline launch ramp are easily accessible by vehicle. The Coves is another, but may require some hiking and/or rock climbing to access. If you rent a boat, and venture into any number of side canyons, the sky’s the limit! Another option: a stand-up paddleboard tour. Some of the longer tours allow ample opportunities to take a dip.
As for times of the year when temperatures are cooler, late October through early November is our favorite season up here. March, April and early May also feature cooler weather, but as a transitional period between winter and spring, the occasional storm can put a damper on one’s fun, so to speak.
Hope that helps.
Good luck in your travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
I am planning a cross country roadtrip and will be stopping in Flagstaff Arizona for a day and two nights (Possibly July 24-25, 2017). It was a difficult decision, but I think I would like to spend my time at antelope canyon and horsebend than the Grand Canyon (unless convinced otherwise). Will it be possible to do both the upper and lower parts of antelope canyon (unless you recommend one over the other) and does horsebend require a toured hike or may visitors walk there themselves to enjoy the scenic view? I do enjoy hiking but at the same time I have my irrational scare with heights (only when it comes to jumping across something or climbing up or down rocks) and I was wondering if the routes does not call for arduous or difficult requirement as such?
I was planning to see horsebend near sunset and then spend the following day at Antelope Canyon. If the tours are full, I think I will switch it up and just enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon and Horsebend.
Sorry for the many questions, but any help will be greatly appreciated. This will also be my first time in Arizona.
Thank You,
James Nguyen
Hi James and thank you for stopping by today.
Not sure if skipping the Grand Canyon would be a good idea. Unless you are relatively certain you’ll be back to this area in the foreseeable future, that might be a decision you regret. It really is magnificent and something everyone should try to see at least once in their lifetime! If you prefer to spend the bulk of your time in Page, there is a way you can still do that and work the Grand Canyon into your itinerary: fly over it. Westwind Air Service offers fixed-wing airplane flights over the Grand Canyon from Page Municipal Airport. You can even add on a flyover of Monument Valley if you wish. https://www.westwindairservice.com/tours-from-lake-powell-page/ Otherwise, I’d recommend re-working your itinerary to include at least one day at Grand Canyon South Rim.
As for which order you visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in, it often comes down to convenience. If, for example, you come into Page from the South Rim or Flagstaff, Horseshoe Bend is right on your way into town. As for Antelope Canyon, seeing both Upper and Lower isn’t 100% necessary, but they are different enough in degree of difficulty that you won’t feel as though you’re doing the same thing twice. One factor that could throw a wrench in the works is availability, or lake thereof. Antelope Canyon’s popularity has skyrocketed this year, which has resulted in other slot canyons getting more well-deserved attention. If you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out, consider perhaps touring Cathedral Canyon, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X instead. https://antelopecanyon.az/antelope-canyon-alternative-tours/
You have correctly deduced that Horseshoe Bend can be explored without a guide, at your leisure. As for some of the more arduous requirements, if you’re in reasonably good health, chances are good you can manage it just fine! There is a fairly steep hill at the beginning of the walk, but once you get past that, you should be in good shape for the rest of the trip. If you do prefer the expertise and insight of a trained guide, maybe consider touring Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon and adding a stop at the overlook onto your tour package. https://horseshoebend.com/horseshoe-bend-slot-canyon-tour/
Hope this isn’t “information overload” and that it helps in your planning.
Good luck and happy travels,
Alley 🙂
This is not information overload at all. I am very grateful that you took the time to tell me about all these options! Thank you very much and I will definitely consider adding another day for Arizona. I think I was being ambitious and thought if I were to do one tour early, such as horseshoe bend slot canyon (which I am highly considering), I may have time to do Grand Canyon later in the day, but maybe having an extra will help give me more time to explore.
Hey I’m planning on going to lower antelope Canyon, will I need to reserve a spot for a tour in early July or could I just buy a spot when I get there? Thanks!!
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for visiting our site today! Yes, you absolutely do need advance reservations for an Antelope Canyon tour. Antelope Canyon’s popularity has just exploded this year, and tours have been selling out well ahead of time, even for Lower Antelope Canyon, which never used to happen.
If you find Antelope Canyon tours to be sold out, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that you can learn about on our sister site, https://www.antelopecanyon.az Other slot canyons not listed that you may find availability for are toured by Ligai Si’Anii Tours. Visit them at https://www.hikingslotcanyons.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley
Hi,
Is this a suitable destination for a traveller alone? Will I stand out or look silly? I’m really intrigued to come here!
Hi George!
You absolutely can visit Horseshoe Bend as a solo traveler. You won’t stand out or look silly in the least. In fact, you won’t really be alone. You’ll see many other people from all over the world, some of them traveling on their own, just like you! Who knows, you might make a friend – or a whole bunch of them.
Safe travels,
Alley
Old Chinese Proverb….. If you need to travel fast, travel alone. If you need to travel far, travel with a companion.
Hi, if I’ve 5 full days to spend driving solo from Las Vegas to Page, Horseshoe bend being my priority, what other canyons, photographic places, canyon hiking trails, camping areas, etc. you’d recommend that I go? I heard some canyons in Page only allow guided tours that I can’t go by myself. Please advise? I’m looking to schedule a trip from June 30 – July 4. Thank you.
Hi Patricia and thanks for stopping by.
With 5 days to spend, you can certainly accomplish a lot. We would recommend spending one night at Grand Canyon South Rim, 2 nights in Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) and 2 nights in Zion National Park.
You have heard correctly that many Page area slot canyons require a guided tour to enter. The few that are in very remote areas and have a high degree of difficulty; consequently, we don’t recommend them for first-time visitors.
For more information on camping, scenic attractions and other travel tips, check out this week-long Grand Circle itinerary on our sister site, AntelopeCanyon.az You’ll see that it includes Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon, which you probably don’t have time to visit this time around, but should still give you some good ideas for places to go and things to see! Ultimate 7-Day Grand Circle Tour
Best wishes and happy travels!
Alley
Any areas near horse shoe bend where you can just park and sleep in the back of the truck to star gaze?
Hi Ruth!
Overnight parking is prohibited at Horseshoe Bend Overlook, but fortunately there are many great places to camp nearby. You might consider Lone Rock Beach or Lake Powell Campground. Since these are in Federal Fee Areas, a nominal fee is charged, but the locations can’t be beat. I don’t recall seeing when you were traveling, but keep in mind if you’re visiting during the summer months, nights can still be quite warm. You might be more comfortable in an air-conditioned hotel room! Lake Powell Camping
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley
Hello Alley, your answers are very gracious and informative. I’ve bookmarked your page for future reference. We are planning a RV road trip through Grand Canyon (3 days there) then a stop in Page to visit the Horse Shoe and Antelope Canyon among other sites too. Boondocking at Walmart is a popular thing for RVers. I see on Google Earth plenty of RVs in the outer perimeter of the Walmart parking lot and are apparently boondocking. Some Walmarts invite boondocking, Big city Walmarts do not. My backup plan is to camp at the end of Lone Rock Road and maybe catch a beautiful sunrise over Wahweap Bay with Lone Rock Island in the picture. I would love to hear your suggestions.
Hi Jerry, thank you for stopping by!
As a sometime RVer myself, Wal-Mart has definitely come in handy a time or two, as has Cabela’s and Cracker Barrel (did you know they allow boondockers as well?). According to several recent sources, the Page, AZ Wal-Mart does allow overnight parking as long as the privilege is not abused. No levelers, no grills, no satellite dishes, i.e., no indications that you’re going to set up camp and plant yourself there for several days.
Lone Rock Beach would definitely be a good back-up plan, especially if you wanted to see a sunrise on Lake Powell. Also a good place to catch a dip in the water. Keep in mind it is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and a $25 per vehicle fee is charged. The nice part is, it’s good for 7 days time, and can be used to enter the Antelope Point Marina and Lake Powell Resort Complexes, too.
For more suggestions on other camping and RV options in the Page, AZ area, visit Antelope Canyon Camping and RV Options on our sister site, http://www.antelopecanyon.az
Have fun, and if you stay at any commercial RV parks along your route, be sure to post a review on RVParkReviews.com
Alley 🙂
Is Antelope Canyon and the Horseshoe Bend near each other? We are planning to go in August or November, do you know if these are ever closed off? Thanks
Hi, Samantha!
Yes, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are very close to one another, maybe 7-8 miles apart, a 10 minute drive tops.
They are rarely closed off, Horseshoe Bend almost never, but access to Antelope Canyon has been known to be restricted during Arizona’s monsoon season, which typically occurs in late July through the month of August. During this time period, flash floods can occur as a result of thunderstorms that roll in during the afternoon hours. This can make hiking in any slot canyon or wash extremely dangerous. That would certainly make November an advantageous time to visit, along with substantially reduced crowds. Many Antelope Canyon tours are reportedly sold out during the summer months!
Hope that answers your questions – safe travels 🙂
Alley
Hey I was just wondering if you had made this trip yet? I have some questions about antelope canyon
Hi Alley! I’m planning a graduation trip to Arizona the second week of August. I have a pre-itinerary somewhat planned out but wanted some recommendations on what I should and shouldn’t do.
Monday:
– flying into PHX-Sky Harbour arrival 9 am
– drive to Flagstaff to stay at Grand Canyon International Hostel
– anything I can catch along the way?
Tuesday: Sedona; Devil’s Bridge and maybe a tour?
Wednesday: Grand Canyon
– EITHER Taking a tour with hostel $40 OR I will have a car
– Am I able to drive to the Grand Canyon in the morning & explore on my own? I know the drive is total 2 hours.
Would I be able to see North Rim too? Or should I stick to just Grandview Point and the South Rim spots.
Thursday:
– drive from hostel to Page early morning (2 hours)
– Catch an Antelope Canyon tour in the morning
– Horseshoe bend for sunset
– Stay in page?? Can I camp somewhere with my car & tent?
Friday:
– Lone Rock Beach for the day
– check out Marble Canyon around sunset
– drive down to flagstaff (2 hours) stay the night
I would be flying out Saturday 10:30 am from Pheonix .
Any thoughts or recommendations? Am I doing too much?? Look forward to hearing from you 🙂
Hi Jennifer!
Your plan is ambitious, and for the most part, doable.
If you’ll have a rental car, there’s no need to take tours, with the exceptions of Antelope Canyon and maybe some areas of Sedona that would require a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately a 5 hour drive from the South Rim, so seeing it by car won’t be feasible. One way you can still get a glimpse of it is to fly over it. Daily flights are offered by airplane and helicopter. The flights do not land at the North Rim, but pass over it, enabling you to get enough of a sense of how different it is from the South Rim. North Canyon Helicopter Tour As for the time it takes to drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim, it takes 90 minutes via the most direct route on US180 to AZ64, or 2.5 hours if you go the “long way” round via US89 to AZ64 West. A popular option is to come in via the Southern Entrance and go out via the Eastern route.
Regarding your trip plan in Page, there are several options for tent camping. Be sure you stay in designated campgrounds and obey any signage that prohibits overnight camping. Since you’re interested in going to Lone Rock, you might consider camping there. Page Arizona Camping
As for your final sightseeing day, I would not recommend saving Marble Canyon for sunset. Nighttime driving in this part of the country is potentially dangerous due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting, and the tendency of deer, elk and other wildlife to congregate around the roadways after dark. Go to Marble Canyon during the day, then time your drive so that you arrive back in Flagstaff before dusk. Sunset is at approximately 7:15 PM in August.
Hope that helps and that your travels are safe and happy!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
First of all, I’m so glad I found your website! Your quick responses are wonderful and so informative!
I’ve planned a trip the first week in June and would love your thoughts.
Day 1 – fly to PHX in the evening of June 1 – spend the night
Day 2 – early start – drive to Monument Valley – reservation – The View (1 night)
Day 3 – drive to Zion National Park – reservation – Desert Pearl (1 night)
Day 4 – drive to Las Vegas – spend 1 night
Day 5 – fly home from LAS
Any must do’s along the way? (We’ve already been to Sedona and the Grand Canyon) – considering stops at Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe curve, maybe Lake Powell
Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Carole
Good morning Carole and thank you for visiting our site!
As it stands, your itinerary involves a lot of driving, so stopping off at “must-do” attractions could take a sizeable bite out of an already full schedule.
Be that as it may, on the drive from Phoenix to Monument Valley, stops you might consider making include but aren’t limited to: Walnut Canyon National Monument in Flagstaff, Wupatki/Sunset Crater NM just North of Flagstaff, the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of US89 and AZ64 and the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks just West of Tuba City on US160.
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend can be done en route from MV to Zion, just remember that Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas the Navajo Nation and Utah DO, so you’ll “gain” an hour entering Arizona, then lose it again upon entering Utah. Antelope Canyon tours must be booked in advance. As you head toward Zion after your tour, maybe grab some sandwiches to go and stop at Lone Rock Beach for a picnic, and a view of Lake Powell. Time (and inclination) permitting, once in Utah, you might stop at the Big Water Visitors Center for the dinosaur exhibit, or the Paria Rim Rocks Trail at Mile Marker 19 on US89.
Good luck and safe traveling!
Alley 🙂
Alley
A couple of questions. 1) Is the parking lot big enough to park an RV? 2) Are dogs allowed to hike the trail to see horseshoe bend, or are they only allowed in the parking lot?
Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by ~ Love you guys’ website, and look forward to reading about your adventures in Arizona!
the top of the hill looking down at the parking lot, the lot is fairly good-sized, and has several busses and RV’s parked there, but toward mid-day can get very busy.
To answer your questions:
1. Yes, the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is large enough to accommodate an RV. That said, it’s best to arrive on the early side to snag a good spot. As you can see from this photo, taken from
2. Yes, dogs are welcome to accompany their people to the overlook. However, keep in mind there are no guardrails at the overlook and it’s a 500’+ drop to the river. They must be leashed at all times, plus you must carry out any waste they deposit (take a couple of plastic bags with you). Also, it’s a dry desert environment, so make sure you’re wearing hats, sunscreen, appropriate shoes, etc., and to carry enough water for yourselves, and your dogs.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Is it safe to hike towards horseshoe bend and Antalope with a toddler?
Hi Val and thank you for visiting our site.
It is safe to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon with a toddler, as long as you keep them under control at all times. That’s especially important at Horseshoe Bend as there are no guardrails and it’s a 600′ drop to the river. At Antelope Canyon, there are some low rock overhangs they might bump their head on if you’re carrying them, so caution should be exercised there as well.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley
Hello,
We are in Austin,TX and plan to visit there for memorial day weekend.
What itenary you suggest ? What is nearest airport for visting this place ?
Hi Amit, and thank you for stopping by today. I have family in Austin, TX!
The most popular airports for visitors to Horseshoe Bend to fly into are Las Vegas and Phoenix. Either airport would be approximately a 4.5 hour drive from Page, AZ. Flights are also available into Page, AZ itself, as well as Flagstaff, AZ but would require a connection flight into Phoenix.
As for what itinerary I would suggest, not knowing where you’re flying into and where else you plan to visit makes it a little hard to advise you, but you might take a look at this suggested 2-day itinerary: The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Ryan,
Is this posible,
Monument Valley,
Early morning next day, horsebend sunrise, then antelope, then grand canyon?
Hi Shane and thanks for stopping by.
IMO that’s too much driving for one day.
The drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ takes approximately 2 hours, so if you’re driving from MV in the morning to catch sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, you’ll have to get a very early start. One thing that might work to your advantage is that the Navajo Reservation (where Monument Valley is located) observes Daylight Saving Time, but Page, AZ does not. Therefore you “gain” an hour traveling from MV to Page, so if sunrise is at 5:30 AM Page time, you could feasibly leave Monument Valley at 4:30 AM local time and get to Horseshoe Bend on time. But again, too early in the morning for my taste, especially if I’m on vacation!
You would then have a 2.5-4 hour drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim after touring Antelope Canyon.
Why such a wide range of times? Because there are a lot of places you’ll invariably want to stop on the drive to Grand Canyon.
Long story short, I recommend staying overnight in Page, AZ if you can. Book a hotel in Page, AZ
That way you can wake up at a decent hour, tour Antelope Canyon on your way from Monument Valley to Page, then enjoy sunrise at Horseshoe Bend on your way to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Be sure to reserve your Antelope Canyon tour in advance Antelope Canyon Tour Bookings as well as your Grand Canyon hotel. Grand Canyon Hotels
Hope that helps.
Safe travels to you,
Alley
Hi!
What a wonderful and helpfull site you are having!
Hope, you can help me to with my questions.
I’ll be around Page in September doing a tour around some national parks. And of course want to do all must-see there! I’ll be coming from Zion Park to Page and after(Antelope Canyon, Horseshoebend and Powell Lake) will be going to Grand Canyon. So, the questions:
1) is it possible to have a little swim in the Powell Lake? If yes, where and do I need any permit for that?
2)if I come to Page in the evening and stay there for 1 night what is the best order of sightseeing:Antelope Canyon, Horseshoebend, Lake Powell(with a little swim, if possible)?
3) what time(approximately) do I have to leave Page territory to get to Grand Canyon(enjoying the views on the way:)) and is there a place to stay for a night(a town or smth else) close to Grand Canyon with beautiful views ?
4) what time is it getting too dark to see the views of Grand Canyon?
Thank you in advance!!!!!!
Waiting for your answer!
Hi Svetlana, and thank you for your question(s). So let’s get right to them!
1. Is it possible to swim in Lake Powell? Definitely! Popular swim beaches in the order you’ll find them on your itinerary are:
– Lone Rock Beach, just on the border of Arizona and Utah, making it a convenient stop on your way into
town from Zion
– Across from the Lake Powell Campground at Lake Powell Resort, North of the town of Page, AZ
– Antelope Point, near Antelope Canyon on US98 – as long as you’re a good distance away from the Marina
Safety Tips for Swimming in Lake Powell
You do not need permits for any of these areas, but they are part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so the normal Federal Lands entry fee of $25 per vehicle (or the America the Beautiful Federal Lands Access card) will apply.
2. What is the best order of sightseeing: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell? Coming from Zion, as referenced in the previous paragraph, you can easily stop at Lone Rock Beach for a swim, then continue on into the town of Page, AZ. Or if you prefer, you can pass by Page, AZ and visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook about 5 miles South of town. The next day, you could tour Antelope Canyon in the morning, or visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning, then tour Antelope Canyon afterward. Whichever you decide, Antelope Canyon tours must be reserved in advance. How to book a tour of Antelope Canyon
3. What time to leave Page to get to Grand Canyon South Rim? It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim if you drive directly, which almost never happens because there are many points of interest and beautiful views to stop at, particularly on AZ64 after you enter the park at Desert View Point, so it wouldn’t be unheard of for the drive to take 4 hours factoring in the stops you can make. As for where to stay, there is a complex inside the park (Grand Canyon Village), but hotels there are likely to be full (they tend to book up a year in advance). At this point, book whatever is available. There are several hotels in Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South just outside the park, which would be your next best option. If nothing is available there, then Williams, AZ or Flagstaff, AZ are where you should look. Grand Canyon hotels
4. What time does it get dark? In September, sunset occurs at about 7:00 PM in the early part of the month, toward 6:15 PM in the later half of the month. You should plan to be on the canyon rim about 30 minutes prior to sunset, then remain until about 30 minutes after to experience the full range of light changes.
Hope that helps you start planning.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
I am staying in flagstaff in a couple weeks for a day and am going to the Grand Canyon for my first time. I’ve seen pictures of the horseshoe bend and have always wanted to see it. Do you think I can make it there from flagstaff and still have time to go to Grand Canyon Village in the day that I have?
Hi Mark and thanks for stopping by.
IMO that’s an awful lot of driving to do in a day. It takes 1.5-2 hours to drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim, and another 2.5-3 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Horseshoe Bend. It would then take 2+ hours to drive back to Flagstaff from Horseshoe Bend.
So, you’re looking at a bare minimum of 6-7 hours behind the wheel. If you start super-early, you can theoretically pull it off, but if you possibly can, tinker with your schedule so you can stay overnight in one or both places. You’ll have a much better time that way!
Good luck and have fun,
Alley
Hi,
we’re a group of 5 with a RV, we’ll be there on 2nd of June, for the sunrise we’ll stop to see the Horseshoe Bend. After we wanna do a tour of Antelope Canyon at 11.30/ 12 during the best time for take pictures, I found online a website to book it for 57$ each. I would know if you have any suggestion to book this tour from website or other contacts.
Thank you!
Hi Giulia,
Thanks for stopping by! We recommend booking your Antelope Canyon tour directly with the tour outfitter. There are several to choose from for both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Seeing as though you are wanting to go to Horseshoe Bend, then tour Antelope Canyon, we recommend going directly to the Tribal Park entrance on Highway 98 and picking up a tour from there.
If Upper Antelope Canyon is the one you wish to see, book your tour in advance at NavajoTours.com
If you prefer to tour Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two outfitters to choose from:
Ken’s Tours http://www.lowerantelope.com or Dixie Ellis’ Tours http://www.antelopelowercanyon.com
Again, be sure you book your tour in advance, as well as an RV camping site in the Page, Arizona area.
Best of luck and have a great trip!
Alley
Hi, can i spend a night on Horseshoe Bend in a tent? And do I need a permit and where to get one?
Hi Tomas,
Overnight camping of any kind is not allowed at Horseshoe Bend, but there are a number of developed and primitive campgrounds in the Page, AZ area. Read this for more information ->: Camping & RV Options in Page/Lake Powell, AZ.
Thanks for stopping by!
Alley
Can you walk down to the river from anywhere in that general area?
Hi Cal,
Great question ~ I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember those “Active Listening” classes from the 1980’s, but they were always getting on people’s case about answering questions with a “yes, but…” I say those instructors never worked in the travel/tourism industry, because we’re always saying “yes, but…” and the answer to this question is no exception!
While you cannot walk to the Colorado River directly from the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, there are a couple of areas nearby from which you can. One is at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam a short ways upstream from Horseshoe Bend, and here’s where the “yes, but” comes in: you must be on a guided raft trip in order to access the river from this point. These excursions, called the Colorado River Discovery Float Trip will take you 15 miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, and is a wonderful family activity. You should definitely consider adding it to your Page, Arizona vacation plans!
If you pass on that trip, you can also drive down to Lees Ferry yourself and park nearby the river. This is a fascinating area to explore, where the remnants of a ferry boat and the Historic Lonely Dell Ranch still stand. The adjacent orchard still produces delicious fruit that visitors are welcome to pick (in reasonable amounts) in the fall. You can also hike up to the confluence of the Paria and Colorado River if you desire. The drive from Horseshoe Bend to Lees Ferry takes approximately 45 minutes, but plan for at least an hour so you can stop off at “The Cut,” Navajo Bridge, and the balanced rock garden near Marble Canyon.
Have fun!
Alley
Thank you so very much for your reply. I will consider the options.
Cal
Hi Alley,
Me and my husband are going to Las Vegas on the second week of May and i’m planning for a day trip to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe bend.
Do you think this itinerary is possible for a day trip?
Las vegas to Horse shoe bend
Horseshoe bend to South Rim just before sunset
South Rim back to Las Vegas
Thanks,
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Yikes! That’s way too much driving for one day. First off, it takes approximately 4.5-5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Horseshoe Bend. Then it takes another 2.5 hours to drive from Page, AZ (where Horseshoe Bend is located) to Grand Canyon South Rim, then another 4.5-5 hours to get to Las Vegas. That makes for 12-14 hours behind the wheel! I don’t know about you, but that’s not my idea of a vacation.
If you only have one day to spare, I strongly recommend that you choose which park you want to see, and if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that’s the one I’d pick (strange as it may sound from a site devoted to Horseshoe Bend!). If for some reason you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, and wish to come to Horseshoe Bend, read this page for tips on how best to get here from Las Vegas and make the most of your day.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley
Hi Alley,
We have an upcoming 3N4D trip celebrate our 45th anniversary (May 9-12) to see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend. Driving from Phoenix and staying in Flagstaff during the entire time, already booked a 8:30 tour to Antelope. Appreciate your help to maximize our time there.
Cindy
Hi Cindy and congratulations on your 45th anniversary! Thank you so much for stopping by our site today.
To maximize your time here, I suggest you cancel those reservations in Flagstaff and overnight in Page instead. The reason I do so is because it takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Flagstaff to Page one way. Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip will mean 5 hours spent driving – that’s almost half of your day! You’ll have a much more relaxed experience by staying closer by. Page has a variety of hotels, from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between, as well as vacation rental homes in a wide range of sizes and amenities. Between the two, you’re bound to find something to suit your taste and budget. For Page hotels, visit https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/ and scroll down to the paragraph heading Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim For vacation rental homes, visit https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/arizona/canyon-country-northeast/page
Other activities you might consider to round out your vacation include, but aren’t limited to: Lake Powell boat tours, the Colorado River Discovery Smooth Water Float Trip and scenic airplane tours and helicopter flights.
Hope that helps – have a wonderful anniversary!
Alley
Hi,
I’m playing a trip to the Grand Canyon this September with a few friends and we will be staying at the Mather Campgrounds.
What is a good way for us to plan a trip to Horseshoe Bend and are there any fees we’d need to pay to see the sites?
How is the weather in September?
Where would we go to begin our hike?
Hi Marisa,
Thanks for visiting our site today!
Yes, September is a wonderful time to visit the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Daytime temperatures tend to run in the 60’s at the Grand Canyon, 10-15 degrees warmer in Page, AZ. That’s Fahrenheit, of course 😉
As for planning a day trip to Horseshoe Bend from Grand Canyon, it takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from the South Rim to Page, if you were to drive straight through, which people seldom do. There are many beautiful overlooks of the Grand Canyon you can stop at along the way, as well as points of interest in the Navajo Indian Reservation, such as the Cameron Trading Post, which you’ll also pass through. An early start from Grand Canyon is recommended so you can get to Horseshoe Bend during the mid-morning hours when lighting is best, and so you can visit Antelope Canyon, another “don’t miss” attraction in the area, which is best seen at mid-day.
At the present time, no fees are required to visit Horseshoe Bend. You simply proceed to Mile Marker 545 on US 89 just 5 miles South of Page. The overlook is very clearly signed from the highway.
If you wish to tour Antelope Canyon, you are required to go with an authorized guide and/or tour company. The price for the basic sightseeing tour of Upper Antelope Canyon is $45/person. Touring the Lower section is slightly cheaper, but requires a bit more effort in the form of stair climbing and a little boulder scrambling. For more information on both options, visit https://antelopecanyon.az/how-to-book-a-tour-for-antelope-canyon/
Good luck and have a great trip!
Alley
Hi, Our family (2 adults, 2 chd 10 yrs) are planning a visit to the Grand Canyon on Sep 2017. We will arrive to Phoenix on Sep 23 and I need advise on teh following queries:
1-We will drive and our goal is to go to the South Rim, is it a good idea to overnight at Sedona on the 23rd, so that we can take a highlight tour on the morning of the 24th and then continue to the South Rim?
2-We have 4 to 5 nights to spend at the Grand Canyon, right now we have reservations at the Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, we were not able to get reservations inside the park. (We were&are trying to get reservations at El Tovar, eventualy, is it a good lodging choice?)
3- As far as we have researched, we would like Sunrise/Sunset experiences, the helicopter ride(not the 15min. one) Desert View, Smooth pontoom water trip (I believe this will be done at Page), Horseshoe bend and Antelope (don’t know exact location and don’t know how can it be done)
4-I know the girls (and my husband and I) would love to take the Grand Canyon Railway, but it leaves from Williams, any suggestions about how to include it (since we are havine a rental car, will we have to make the Railway round trip)
5-Any important spots/stuff we are missing?
6-We will drive from Grand Canyon to Las vegas and spend a couple of nights, it is really not the highlight part of the trip, but of course we would like to go to Hoover Dam and Route 66, are there any suggestions as for where to stop and what to visit on our way to Vegas?
So sorry for so many queries, but it has been our goal to travel to Grand Canyon and we want to have the most of it ! Many thanks in advance and best regards
Dear Andrea,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site!
To answer your queries in the order posed:
1. Is it a good idea to overnight at Sedona? YES! It takes about 2 hours to drive from Phoenix to Sedona, and there is a lot to see and do in that area. For suggestions of activities and attractions, visit The Top Things to Do in Sedona on TripAdvisor. Instead of just a single night, I would recommend spending 2-3 nights, and contrary to what you might think, you do have that option (see my answer to your next question).
2. “We have 4 or 5 nights to spend at the Grand Canyon.” That’s way too long! Most families find 2 nights tops to be plenty of time to experience and enjoy the Grand Canyon fully. Unless you’re a hard-core hiker and have plans to occupy every single day with a specific and different hike, I can almost guarantee you’ll be ready to move on after a couple of days. Give 1-2 of those nights to Sedona, or 1 to Sedona and 1 to Page, AZ. For more detailed information, take a look at this video: Other Things to See and Do in the Grand Canyon Area.
As for lodging, the Grand Hotel is perfectly fine, in fact it’s one of my favorite out-of-park hotels because it blends old-style architectural touches with modern amenities. El Tovar is amazing, but hard to come by, but by reducing your stay to 1-2 nights, you’ll have a better chance. Also, keep in mind the hotel was built in 1905 and so the rooms are quite small. For a family of four, you’ll need at least a deluxe room or suite to not be stepping all over each other.
3. Grand Canyon and other touring experiences: for the helicopter ride, shoot for a morning departure for better light and less wind. They start running at 8:00 AM. If possible, take the 45-minute flight aboard the Eco-Star helicopter.
For the Smooth Water Float Trip, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you can easily partake of these activities by driving yourself to Page, AZ and staying there for a couple of days. Another option is to take a tour that originates at Grand Canyon South Rim, the Canyon River Adventure. It’s a really good tour that includes a scenic flight (airplane) over the Grand Canyon East Rim, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam and part of Lake Powell, a jeep tour to Antelope Canyon, and the Smooth Water Float Trip. It’s a 12-hour tour, so you should stay at Grand Canyon at least 2 days to have sufficient quality time at the Grand Canyon as well.
4. The Grand Canyon Railway – personally, I’d recommend skipping it. It doesn’t pass by the canyon or offer anything of particular significance as far as scenery. It’s more of an “Old West Historic” experience than anything else. The attraction of the train is the train itself. If you’d like to see the train, it arrives at Grand Canyon South Rim near the El Tovar Hotel at 11:30 AM and departs from there at 3:30 PM.
5 & 6. Other stops/where to stop on the way to Las Vegas: Seligman, Arizona. It is an old Route 66 stand-by and was the partial basis for the fictional town of “Radiator Springs” in the movie “Cars.” It still retains its kitschy, “frozen-in-time” look and feel and makes for a relatively short detour on the way to Las Vegas. Be sure to grab lunch at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In.
It’s a legendary fixture of the old “Mother Road!”
Hope that answers your questions – and no apologies necessary for so many.
Alley
Dear Alley, Hi !
As Nina said, your website it’s just spectacular!!
I can’t thank you enough for your WONDERFUL and so clarifying answer !!!
We will take into account each of your professional advice and when we have ready the new day by day itinerary, we’ll check back again 🙂
Many thanks and have a great day !!
Counting the days for our trip 🙂
You’re welcome, Andrea! Have a wonderful time 🙂
Hi
is it still ok to go and hike with dogs?
Thanks
Hi Theresa,
Yes, dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed at all times. Believe me, you want them leashed: there are NO guardrails at the overlook and it’s a 700′ drop to the Colorado River!
Thanks for visiting and happy traveling,
Alley
Hey there!
I am going to be flying out from Detroit Michigan, DTW Airport and want to see both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I don’t mind renting a car upon arrival.. I am just wondering the closest place to fly in to? It was saying I should stay in Flagstaff?
Thank you for you help!!!
Hi Sierra,
This is a great question!
Most visitors to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend fly into either Phoenix, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. Either airport is 4-4.5 hours from Page, AZ. Though Flagstaff, AZ is closer, geographically speaking, you’re not likely to save time or money by flying into this airport since you would have to connect in Phoenix anyway and still deal with the logistics/inconvenience, etc. of getting a rental car. Most people who fly into Flagstaff end up wishing they hadn’t done it.
As for staying in Flagstaff, I wouldn’t recommend doing that unless you absolutely had to, for example if all Page lodging was booked or you have hotel points you can only redeem in Flagstaff. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Flagstaff to Page one-way. Besides, there are plenty of places to stay in Page, from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between. To check availability of Page hotels, click this link and scroll down to the paragraph headed “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim” – >: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
Hope that helps. Happy traveling!
Alley
Hi,
I’m so glad i found your site while researching about my trip. It’s amazing!!
I plan to go to Vegas on mid June and I am thinking to go to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe bend due to its popularity.
Since i’m on a tight schedule, my initial trip would be like:
Leave Vegas at 7am, arrive at Antelope Canyon at 12pm and join the 12:30 tour. Then continue driving to Horseshoe bend, arrive there at 3 or 3.30pm. Spend an hour there (is it enough?), and leave at 4.30pm back to Vegas.
Do you think my plan is possible or would it be too tiring?
If indeed i have to stay 1 night, where do you suggest i should stay? Also which attraction could i add to my itinerary? I am thinking about adding lake powell or grand canyon sky walk or grand canyon south rim if i get to spend 1 more night in Arizona.
Please feel free to suggest any itinerary you think suits best.
Many thanks in advance for your help 🙂
Hi Nina and thank you for visiting our site!
As you’ve gathered, it takes approximately 5 hours, one way, to drive from Las Vegas to Page. Going there and back again in the same day is no fun at all, plus we don’t recommend driving at night in this part of the country due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the presence of deer, elk and other wildlife that may collide with your vehicle.
Page, Arizona has a variety of good hotels that run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between, so you’re bound to find one that fits your taste and budget. Click here for more information and scroll down to the paragraph heading “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim” ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
If you do stay an extra night, we would recommend adding activities such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip or a Lake Powell Boat Tour. If you choose to go to Grand Canyon South Rim, it’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Page, then 4 hours to get from the South Rim to Las Vegas, so you should plan on spending a night there, too.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located at Grand Canyon West, a totally different area from the South Rim that’s actually closer to Las Vegas.
Hope that helps in your planning!
Happy traveling,
Alley
I really appreciate how interactive you are with the comments! Thanks for taking time to answer! I’m sure its time consuming. What do you think about this?
How long do we need to leave between a tour of Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope Canyon, and then Horseshoe Bend? The Upper Antelope Canyons tours are only available at 2:45 or 4:00. We want to do Horseshoe Bend last and possibly see the sunset. But I’m struggling to figure out what time we should book the Lower Antelope? Also we chose Antelope Canyon Tours for the Upper Antelope and Ken’s for Lower. Are these wise choices? We will have a rental car, and staying the night before and after in Page.
Thanks for any insight and helpful info!
Hi Diane, thanks for visiting out site, and for your compliments! Time consuming? Maybe, but it’s a labor of love nonetheless 😉
To answer your queries, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and Antelope Canyon are about 7 miles apart. The entrances to Upper and Lower Antelope are about 1 mile apart. Therefore, I’d advise allowing at least 30 minutes between Antelope Canyon tours. Since Horseshoe Bend is open 24/7 and doesn’t require a guide to enter, you can go there pretty much whenever you want. I wouldn’t advise going there at night, though. It’s really dark and it’s a long drop to the river. LOL
As for the companies you’ve chosen to tour Antelope Canyon, they are all good reputable companies whose tour offerings will be very similar right down to the footsteps. Since you have your own vehicle, I’d double-check that your tour outfitters depart from the canyon entrance on Highway 98 and NOT from the town of Page.
I don’t recall seeing what time of year you’re visiting, but have you also considered taking the Glen Canyon Float Trip, or a boat tour on Lake Powell?
Hope that helps in your trip planning. Have a wonderful time!
Alley
Hi-
Regarding the upper vs lower antelope canyon tours— any preference? I have 2 daughters (13 & 15) with the 15 year old really into photography.
Also, my plan is to leave early from the South Rim in order to make a 10:30am tour of the canyon. Stop by horseshoe bend. Then drive on to overnight in Sedona (hopefully taking in the sunset). Feasible?
Thanks! Great website, by the way! A lot of good information!!
Hi Denise, thank you for visiting our site, and for your compliments!
As for a “preference” for Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon, we really don’t have one as they are both beautiful. The choice for most visitors comes down to whether they have their hearts set on seeing the light beams – a phenomenon limited to Upper Antelope Canyon during the late spring-early fall months – and how much effort they’re willing to expend on their trip. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy, flat walk of 100 yards. Lower, however, requires climbing a few staircases and navigating around a few boulders. If you’re in reasonably good health, you should be able to do it. If your daughter is that much into photography, you might want to splurge and take the photographer’s tour, which is a little longer, and yes, costs more, but well worth it for those who want to take home good quality pictures.
As for your trip plan, keep in mind it takes 2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, if you drive straight through. That’s not likely to happen because there are many beautiful viewpoints you can stop at along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, plus the Cameron Trading Post. I recommend getting as early a start as possible so you don’t feel rushed. Plus you’ll need to check in for your tour 30 minutes prior to departure. The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is approximately 5 miles outside of town, so it makes for an easy stop on the way in.
The drive back to Sedona also takes about 2.5 hours. Make sure you start back before it starts getting dark. Artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum on the roads up here, plus deer, elk and other animals like to congregate near them at night. Hitting a deer is the last thing you want to do!
Happy traveling,
Alley
Hi, I’m planning going to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend the first week of April. I would like to know what would you recommend to do, I am going with my parents and my mom has a bad knee, so she is not doing great with stairs. We are going from San Diego, CA. We are going 4 days, as your previous recommendations I’m planning to drive the first and last day, so we have two full days to enjoy. Also what is the best option , hotel or rent a house?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi Karla and thanks for visiting our site,
Regarding Horseshoe Bend, your mom may want to take a pass on it. Though the trail is relatively short, the uphill grade from the parking lot to the trail head can be a bit much for someone with bad knees to take on. I know, when I visited with my mom (who also has bad knees) a few years ago, she took one look at it and said “no way.” Fortunately, it doesn’t cost anything to go to Horseshoe Bend, so you won’t be out anything if you go to the overlook then decide to pass on it. Another option if the walk is too much to handle is to see it from the air. Small airplanes depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport. Click here for more information ->: http://www.horseshoebend.com/see-horseshoe-bend-air/ Or.. see it from the river on the Colorado River Discovery Float Trip ->: http://www.horseshoebend.com/see-the-canyon-from-the-river-colorado-river-discovery/
As for where to stay, you can choose from traditional hotels or vacation homes in Page. For house rentals, visit VRBO.com
Good luck and have a great trip!
Alley
Hi there,
This will be my 2nd time visiting AZ with my family. Last year we visited the South rim of the GC; and this year we plan to go back, stay in Williams 04/8-04/10 to see the North Rim. We’d also like to visit the crater in Flagstaff, Oatman, Horseshoe bend, and Kingman. Any suggestions on the best itinerary?
Thank You
Hi Endri and thank you for visiting our site.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the North Rim of the Grand Canyon won’t be open at the time of year you’re visiting. It doesn’t open to the public until May 15th, so unless you want to skip the Grand Canyon entirely, it looks like you’re limited to going back to the South Rim, or visiting Grand Canyon West and going on the Skywalk. Since you’re wanting to go to Kingman, Oatman and Williams, it wouldn’t make for too much of a detour. You could then stop at Oatman on your way back to California, if that’s where you’re heading.
As for Horseshoe Bend, it’s located approximately 2.5 hours North of Williams just South of the town of Page, Arizona.
Good luck and happy traveling,
Alley
Thank you for all the helpful information. I currently live in SoCal and was planning on driving up to Horseshoe bend end of this month. I was going to take a day to drive as it is 7 hours and spend the night (not sure where?) and then go to horseshoe bend in the morning. I see there are tours from Sodona and Flagstaff. Just not sure what is the best way to see horsehoe bend. I would like to hike some of it too. Plus last year I did a tour through anteloupe Canyon but can’t remember if it was upper or lower and would rather not repeat the same tour as there is so much more to see. So just looking for information really to try and plan a trip and figure out the best place to stay. I would spend the night and then drive back to SoCal the following day – so it will end up being three days. Is there anything else I should definitely try and see while I am at horsehoe bend? I have been to Zion but not Bryce. Any recommendations would be great. Thanks so much for your help.
~Kourtney
Hi Kourtney,
With only one night to work with, I wouldn’t bother taking a tour. If you’re willing to drive the 7 hours from LA, you can drive yourself to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyons. As for where to stay, the town of Page is the best, closest option. There are quite a few hotels in the area, ranging from Motel 6 to Marriott quality and everything in between, so you’re bound to find one that fits your budget and taste. Visit this link and scroll down to the paragraph headed “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim” ->: http://www.grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
As for seeing Bryce Canyon National Park while you’re here, you’re really not going to have enough time. In fact, I would recommend rethinking your whole plan because it’s awfully rushed. Try to free up at least 2-3 days in order to enjoy this area and everything it has to offer.
Thanks again and happy traveling,
Alley
We have a pass but what else/if anything, is needed to go and see it? Also, if we want to camp near by what would be a good place? Last question, what is a good trail for a couple teens and young adults for experience, nothing super hardcore lol..
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for visiting our site!
At the present time, it does not cost anything to visit Horseshoe Bend. However, if you have a National Park Pass, you can use it to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and any other National Park or Monument in the U.S.
As for camping, it is not allowed at Horseshoe Bend, but there are many options nearby, either in the town of Page or on Lake Powell. Read this article for a full list of RV and tent campgrounds in the Horseshoe Bend area ->: https://antelopecanyon.az/camping-and-rv-options-near-antelope-canyon/
For suggestions of some good, easy hikes in the area, visit this site ->: http://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm One hike I enjoy that that site does not mention is the Page Rim View Trail. It’s not easy if you take on the whole thing (it’s 10 miles long), but hiking a small section can reward you with some great views of Lake Powell. http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/page-rimview-trail
Good luck and happy travels!
Alley
Visiting this area in a couple weeks. My mom really wants to see Horseshoe but has a bad hip and walks with a cane. Is the trail very sandy or are their any handicap considerations? Thinking of renting a mobility scooter but unsure of terrain.
Hi Erin and thank you for visiting our site.
Though the trail to Horseshoe Bend is relatively short, the uphill grade from the parking lot to the trailhead can be hard for some people to manage. In fact, when my own mom (with bad knees) came to visit me a few years ago, I proposed visiting the overlook, but one look at the trail and she had to decline. A mobility scooter probably wouldn’t help matters because the trail is very sandy. If sand got into the gears of the scooter, that could result in mechanical problems, and costly repairs for you.
Since there is no cost to go to Horseshoe Bend Overlook, you can always go to the parking lot and judge on the spot whether your mom could handle the walk. If it’s already sounding like a no-go, consider taking another approach: flying over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport (weather permitting) and cover many other beautiful sights in addition to Horseshoe Bend. For more information, click here ->: https://horseshoebend.com/see-horseshoe-bend-air/
Good luck and happy traveling,
Alley
Hello. My family of 5 (kids 14, 12,12) will be traveling from Grand Canyon South Rim to Bryce in mid June. On the way to Bryce, we plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend before our tour at 10:00 am for Antelope Canyon. We were thinking of leaving the Grand Canyon at 6:30 am with the hopes of arriving at Horseshoe Bend around 8:30 am. That would give us about 30-45 min at the site. How is the viewing at 8:30 am and do you think I’m giving us enough time? After our Antelope Canyon tour, I was thinking about hiking waterholes Canyon. What is your opinion of hiking waterholes with my family? It would probably be around 11:30 am. From my research, not many visitors here. Other than the heat, is there anything we should worry about (i.e. rattle snakes)? Thanks in advance for your time and answers.
Hi Seth, and thank you for visiting our site!
First of all, the drive from Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend usually takes a little over 2 hours if you drive straight through. However, that is not likely to happen since there are many beautiful canyon viewpoints along the way. No doubt you’ll find yourself stopping. Don’t forget as well to visit the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of Highway 64 & 89 – great collection of Native arts and crafts, and Navajo tacos in the restaurant!
Assuming you actually hit Horseshoe Bend at around 9:00 AM, that would give you a nice view, but most people end up spending 1.5 hours when factoring the hike to the overlook and back.
As for hiking Waterholes Canyon, your kids would probably enjoy it, and so would you. However, keep in mind that only the section closest to Highway 89 is open to independent hikers now. Also, a permit from the Navajo Tribal Parks office is required before entering. These can be purchased at the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park entrance gate (it’s included in your Antelope Canyon tour price, just save your receipt). Snakes aren’t seen too terribly often. They’re around, but they want as little to do with us as we want with them! Bring plenty of water and make sure to use toilet facilities before your tour as there are none at the canyon sites.
Hope that helps. Have fun!
Alley
P.S. Here’s a video of a family hiking Waterholes Canyon to whet your appetite for your trip! https://youtu.be/Ef-XKP6ONkI
Hi, We are planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, Horshoe bend, Glen Canyon. I know, we have to book a guided tour for Antelope canyon, but can we do Horseshoe bend and Glen Canyon on our own? Once we pay the $8.00 park entrance fee along with the Antelope canyon tour, do we have any more entrance fees, parking fees etc to pay for Glen canyon and Horseshoe bend? Also, do you have a suggestion for the best tour company to go with for the Antelope canyons?
Thanks,
Madhumati
Good morning Madhumati and thank you for visiting our site.
In regards to entrance fees, you do not have to pay one to go to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. If you wish to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to see Lake Powell or take a boat tour, you do have to pay an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle, which is good for 7 days’ time.
If you plan to visit other National Parks in the Southwest US, such as Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, etc., consider purchasing an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time (Native American Tribal Parks such as Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon West not included). For more information, visit https://store.usgs.gov/pass
As for which Antelope Canyon tour outfitter to choose, visit this page for more information on local tour companies that tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if we can be of further assistance and visit our Facebook page for more information! https://www.facebook.com/horseshoebendaz/
Happy Travels,
Alley
Hi there,
I’m planning to do 2D1N trip:
Day 1: From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim and proceed to Lake Powell to join their 5pm boat tour, and stay in Page for the night.
Day 2: Join Antelope Canyon morning tour, proceed to Horseshoe Bend, and drive back to Las Vegas.
On the 2nd day, is it possible to make it back to Vegas by 6pm?
Is there any Horseshoe Bend tour when I reach the parking lot? How long is the hike?
Thanks so much!
Cheers!
Hi Tess, and thank you for visiting our site.
I’ve got 3 words for your itinerary on Day 1: too much driving! The trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South rim takes 4.5 hours minimum. Tack another hour onto that if you want to stop and see Hoover Dam. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page takes 2.5 hours, but there again, it rarely ends up being that length of time because there are many beautiful viewpoints one can stop at along the way. Then, you’ll need to get to the marina by 4:30 PM at the latest in order to check in for the Lake Powell Boat Tour. Depending on where it’s taking place from (Lake Powell or Antelope Point Marina?), it’s anywhere from 15-30 minutes drive from the town of Page itself.
As to your itinerary on Day 2, it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Page to Las Vegas via the most direct route. At Horseshoe Bend, there is no tour that takes you up to the overlook, you just go at your leisure. The hike is approximately 3/4 of a mile each way. Because Horseshoe Bend is located 5 miles South of the town of Page on Highway 89, you might be able to stop there on your way to town prior to arrival, depending, of course, on how good of time you manage to make.
But again, that first day’s itinerary, in our honest opinion, is a little too ambitious.
An alternative you might consider is simply staying at Grand Canyon South Rim for 2 days’ time and on your second day, take the Scenic Canyon River Adventure tour. Consisting of an early morning flight over the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, a jeep tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, and a half-day float trip through Glen Canyon, this 3-in-1 combination tour includes all round-trip transportation, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery. After all, isn’t that what coming here was all about? For more information on the Scenic Canyon River Adventure, click here ->: https://horseshoebend.com/scenic-canyon-river-adventure/
Good luck and happy travels!
Alley
I will be staying at the Lake Powell Resort as part of a tour, so I will not have a car but I will have free time. Is there any transportation that I could take to Horseshoe Bend?
Hi Diane,
Horseshoe Bend is approximately 10 miles from Lake Powell Resort & Marina, just South of the town of Page. There is no mass transit or bus service in the area, but there is a taxi service called Buggy Taxi. Their phone # is 928-645-6664.
Another option is to reach out to your tour company. Many tour companies recognize that the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is a “must-see” attraction for many Lake Powell area visitors. They may already be planning a stop there.
A third option is to fly over Horseshoe Bend with Grand Canyon Airlines from Page Municipal Airport. The airline may be able to offer a pickup for a small fee. https://horseshoebend.com/see-horseshoe-bend-air/
Hope that helps!
Alley
Can you take an RV to the parking lot of the horseshoe bend?
LA,
Hello and thank you for your question. RV’s can be accommodated at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook parking lot. However, do not be surprised to find it full during peak travel periods and popular viewing hours, which are between 9 AM and 5 PM. You might be pleased to know that there are restrooms available at the parking lot should you need them. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes for walking and to carry water as this is a dry desert environment.
Hi Ryan,
We are planning to drive to Arizona during Feb 2nd- Feb3rd week. We plan to visit (5days trip)
Monument Valley
Antelope Canyon
Horshoe Bend
The Wave
Zion
Can you please help us how we should plan. I am looking at information regardin any tours that would allow us to see them all and how long do you think would it take to visit each place.
Thanks in Advance
Dear Chandra,
Hello and thank you for your inquiry. Knowing a little more about your overall trip plan would help us advise you best. For example, are you coming to the area from Las Vegas or Phoenix? Since Las Vegas is a popular “staging” city for vacationers to this area, I’ll assume that you’re coming from there.
In which case, I would advise this:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park (approx 3 hours), stay overnight
Day 2: 2nd overnight in Zion National Park
Day 3: Drive from Zion NP to Page, AZ (approximately 2.5 hours) in the morning, visit Antelope Canyon at mid-day (approximately 2 hours), Horseshoe Bend Overlook in the afternoon (approximately 1 hour), stay overnight
Day 4: Make day trip to Monument Valley (2 hour drive each way), 2nd overnight in Page.
Day 5: Drive back to Las Vegas (5 hours)
Notice I have not included The Wave in this trip plan. That’s because this area requires a permit to visit, and they are extremely hard to obtain.
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to comment again if you have further questions.
We will be in Vegas in feb for a few nights. I wanted to drive to HOrsehoe bend and back. Would you recommend that or would you suggest staying someplace on the way?
Dear Rondi,
Hello and that’s a very good question! It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas, Nevada to Page, Arizona, where Horseshoe Bend is located. Due to the distance, you’ll have a better quality experience if you plan to stay overnight in Page, AZ. Page, AZ has many hotels to choose from in a variety of price ranges from budget (Super 8, Motel 6, Econo Lodge, etc.) to higher end properties (Hampton, Marriott). For more information on lodging in the area, visit this page and scroll down to the section on Page, AZ. https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
Good luck and have fun!
I am planning on making a trip this weekend to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, would you agree that the weather should be ok? And do you have to go on a tour in order to see Antelope Canyon or can you go on the hikes alone?
Hello Christy, How was your trip?
How far is Horseshoe Bend from either Quartzite or Yuma . We are going from Amarillo . which would be better to do first .
Hi Irma, thank you for your question. Quartzite is closest to Horseshoe Bend – if you can call a 6-hour one-way drive “close” LOL Map ->: https://goo.gl/maps/cxpz3mRqbhq
Due to the distance, we recommend staying overnight in Page, AZ, the town where Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located. There are many hotels to choose from, ranging from economy class (Motel 6, Super 8, EconoLodge) to higher end (Marriott, Hampton, etc.) and everything in between. For more information on lodging in Page AZ, visit this link and scroll down to the section on Page, AZ hotels ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
So are you going to Quartzite for the rock and gem show? Have a wonderful time!
algemeen I geen leren bericht op blogs, echter maar ik wil zeggen dat dit schrijf-up zeer druk te checken en doen it! Uw schrijven stijl is verbaasd verrast me. Dank, zeer groot artikel .
Translated by Google Translate
Dank u voor uw bezoek aan onze site vandaag – hebben een mooie reis!
Hi,
I am trying to plan a trip to Horseshoe Bend, and will be traveling with my dog. Is this trip doable with a dog? I would hate to come all the way up and not be able to see anything because I have her with me. And what other attractions are dog friendly?
Thanks!!
Kelli
Hi Kelli, that is a really good question! Yes, dogs are allowed at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. They must be kept on a leash and you should be prepared to bring water for your dog as this is a dry, desert area. If you’re visiting during the summer months, the sand can get very hot, so if your dog exhibits signs of discomfort, you should be prepared to get her out of the area. There is a nice fenced dog park at Golliard Park next to the Page Municipal Airport. You might also take a walk along the rim trail which circles Manson Mesa and has some great views of Lake Powell. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/page-rimview-trail If your dog likes to swim, I would recommend taking her to Lone Rock Beach, which is near the Arizona/Utah border. Again, dogs must be leashed in all of these areas.
Hope that helps – have fun!
Is this a good place to visit during winter? My husband wants to visit next weekend but I see that Page is supposed to get some snow the day he wants to be there.
Hi Jessie, how was your visit?
Hi,
I have family coming to visit at the end of January, and we were hoping to make a roadtrip through Arizona. The plan is to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and stay the night in Williams, then visit Horseshoe Bend and stay at Page City for one night, and then finally visit Antelope Canyon before driving to St. George for one night. From there we would head back to Las Vegas. Do you know what the road conditions are like for our route around that time of the year? Will we need anything special like snow chains? Also, I’ve read that visitors to Antelope Canyon need to have licensed tour guides to enter, is this true? Thanks for your help!
Hi Betty, apologies that we were not able to respond to your inquiry sooner. We hope you had a fun trip in the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell area.
For those contemplating wintertime visits to the Southwest US, especially Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, snow is a very real possibility at this time of year. Though road closures do not occur often, they can be expected in the middle of an active storm pattern. As for whether you’ll need snow chains, rental car outlets forbid customers from using them. If you’re driving your own vehicle, it’s not a bad idea to have them, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. If not, don’t bother. Just be prepared to shift your trip plans if you get detoured or delayed by bad weather. Check http://www.az511.com before setting out.
Regarding Antelope Canyon, yes, a licensed guide is required for entry. Tours are offered from the town of Page, AZ, or can be obtained at the Tribal Park entrance gate on Highway 98.
Have fun!
Hi i am planning to do a GC, HorseShoe, Antelope and Zion. I want to start from Las vegas (start Tuesday morning) and drive back to LA (by thursday night) covering above points. I have booked 2 night stay at south rim (in one of the lodges there). WHat should be the ideal itinerary?
I am thinking: Tuesday morning start from LV -> drive to Antelope/HorseShoe and then back to south rim
next day start from south rim to sedona/zion and back.
Thursday afternoon start from southrim back to LA. ( got a good deal at the lodge at the rim hence booked two nights).
Is that an optimal itinerary? anything else, i could cover in these days?
Hi Jay, thanks for writing!
With only two days to work with, this itinerary is extremely rushed. It’s going to have you doing a lot of driving and very little enjoying of the attractions you wish to see. You’re going to need to trim your “wish list” down, and I suggest starting with Zion and Sedona. You simply don’t have enough time to include them.
What I would recommend is focusing your energies on enjoying Grand Canyon South Rim, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Hang on to your two nights booking at Grand Canyon National Park Lodges. Get an early start out of Las Vegas on Tuesday morning. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. After getting checked in at the hotel, utilize the free shuttles to explore Grand Canyon Village Historic District and the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. Perhaps enjoy dinner at the El Tovar Hotel (reservations required) or the Arizona Room (first-come/first-served).
The next morning, get up nice and early and get ready to experience the Canyon River Adventure tour! This exciting all-day tour begins with a scenic sunrise flight over the Eastern portion of the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Upon landing at the Page Municipal Airport, you’ll then be picked up by safari jeeps for a 90-minute tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, after which you’ll be dropped at the offices of Colorado River Discovery for a 1/2-day Smooth Water Float Trip through beautiful Glen Canyon! At the conclusion of the float trip, you’ll be transported by coach back to Grand Canyon National Park Airport. For more information on the tour, click here ->: https://horseshoebend.com/scenic-canyon-river-adventure/ ***The Canyon River Adventure is offered March 1st through October 31st***
Good luck and have fun!
Alley
Hi,
Are pets (dogs) allowed in the Antelope canyon?
Hi Pragya, sorry, but dogs are not allowed at Antelope Canyon (with the exception of ADA-certified service dogs). However, dogs are allowed at other Page area attractions, such as Horseshoe Bend Overlook. They must be kept on a leash and you should be prepared to bring water for your dog as this is a dry, desert area. If you’re visiting during the summer months, the sand can get very hot, so if your dog exhibits signs of discomfort, you should be prepared to get her out of the area.
There is a nice fenced dog run at Golliard Park next to the Page Municipal Airport. You might also take a walk along the rim trail which circles Manson Mesa and has some great views of Lake Powell. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/page-rimview-trail If your dog likes to swim, I would recommend taking her to Lone Rock Beach, which is near the Arizona/Utah border. Again, dogs must be leashed in all of these areas.
Hope that helps – have fun!
Me and my husband are planning to visit Horse Shoe Bend this Christmas day. So, just wondering are these places Horse Shoe Bend, Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon open on 25th December?
Dear Dee,
Merry belated Christmas!
All National Parks and Monuments are open on Christmas Day, however, Antelope Canyon tour operations may be closed so the employees may enjoy the day with their families.
Hope that helps,
Alley
Is there an address to put in my gps so that I could be directed to horseshoe bend?
Hi Brooke – GPS coordinates for Horseshoe Bend Overlook are 36.879207, -111.509923 And check out this photo of the latest improvements to the area!
Hello,
We are planning to see the New Year festivities in Vegas. Our plan is like this, We want to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon and then head to Vegas. We are planning to finish the AZ places and reach Vegas by 30th December afternoon. Hence what are your suggestions??
We are a group of 4 coming from Anaheim, CA.
Coming from the Los Angeles/Anaheim area, you can enjoy many attractions in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah depending on the time of year you’re traveling and the number of days you have to work with.
We suggest starting with Grand Canyon South Rim. It is possible to drive there in a day from Anaheim, but it takes about 7 hours. If you wish to break the drive up, perhaps consider overnighting in Las Vegas on your first day. You’ll want to stay overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim to enjoy sunrise and sunset on the rim.
Then plan to head to Page/Lake Powell from Grand Canyon South Rim via the Desert View/East Rim Drive. There are several beautiful viewpoints you can stop at along the way. Plan to visit the Cameron Trading Post for at least a bathroom break, but if you have more time, enjoy lunch there! About 5 miles South of the town of Page, you’ll find the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the left hand side of the highway. Stay overnight in Page, then after a leisurely morning, take a tour of Antelope Canyon.
If you have time, plan to visit Zion National Park in Utah upon leaving Page. It’s a big park, so it warrants 2 days of your time at the very least.
From there, Las Vegas is an easy 3-hour drive.
Have fun!
Alley
Are either of these power wheelchair accessible?
Dear Phyllis,
Thank you for writing, that’s an excellent question.
If you’re referring to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you would probably want to have someone handy to assist you as the trail to Horseshoe Bend especially has a short uphill incline at the beginning, and can be quite sandy in some areas. Ditto for Antelope Canyon. Regarding Antelope Canyon, you would want to experience Upper Antelope Canyon as it is a relatively short and flat trail. Lower Antelope requires navigating some stairs and around a few boulders. We would also recommend contacting the tour operators in advance of your arrival to let them know that you have a power chair so they can accommodate you accordingly.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley
Hi, Ryan
Thank you so much for such wonderful tips.
We are planning a trip of 7 days to vegas in the third week of december
2 nights – Las Vegas
3rd day- Zion national park then Bryce canyon(sunset and overnight in Kanab)
4th day- Antelope canyon then Horseshoe bend(sunset and overnight in Page)
5th day- Grand canyon south rim(overnight?)
6th day – West Grand canyon Skywalk and back to vegas in evening
Could you please suggest if you think this plan will work.
Could you please also suggest if December is a right time to visit Lake Powell and if we can fit it somewhere in our plan?.
Also, if you have any suggestions where to stay 5th night.
Please feel free to suggest any other plans.
Thank you so much for your time and help ! 🙂
Hi Shruta –
Your ideal itinerary requires a little modification.
First of all, trying to experience Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon in a single day is a bit too much to take on. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon, then a further 3 hours to drive from Bryce Canyon to Page. That doesn’t allow enough time to enjoy either area in earnest, especially during the month of December when days are so short. Plus, Zion is a really big park and warrants at least 2 days time. I know that’s not always manageable, but I recommend at least taking Bryce off the table.
Regarding the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim (and yes, we suggest overnighting there, see here for hotel information ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/ ) to Las Vegas via the Grand Canyon Skywalk, here again, you’re looking at a LOT of driving. It takes about 5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Grand Canyon West, then another 2 hours to drive from Grand Canyon West to Las Vegas. If you’re really wanting to see the Grand Canyon Skywalk, I’d recommend doing a tour from Las Vegas during one of your days there. This can be done in just half a day’s time with a tour such as this one ->: https://grandcanyon.com/tours/west-tours/grand-celebration-skywalk-and-boat/
Have a great trip!
Alley
Hi there, Planning going to AZ 3 weeks from now for 5-6 days.Landing in Phoenix driving straight to either sedona or flagstaff.Haven’t decided which one to use as a base will like to do some hiking before GC. Then go to GC and horseshoe/antelope and maybe go to Utah if possible coral pink sand dunes.For the antelope canyon it can only be tour with a company or can it be self guided?Also any idea what else to do besides sand dunes once in Utah close to border of AZ?thanks!!
Hi Al, you can call me Al, too 😉
With 5-6 days to work with, I strongly advise dialing back your itinerary just a bit. First off, I don’t recommend using one place as a “base” if you can possibly help it. Due to the driving distances involved, you’ll want to transition every couple of days for the best quality experience.
If you want to do some hiking before Grand Canyon South Rim, Sedona is a good place to do just that. There’s a lot to see and do there, so I recommend devoting at least 2 days to it.
Then, head to Grand Canyon South Rim for at least one night, then Page/Lake Powell for 2 nights. With an early enough start (it takes 2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon to Page), you can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, then take a tour of Antelope Canyon later in the day.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is up near Kanab, UT. If you stay for a second night in Page, you might be able to manage it, but it is about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way to get there.
It then takes about 4.5 hours to drive from Page to Phoenix.
Good luck and have a great trip!
Alley
Can mobility scooters be used for viewing horseshoe bend?
Hi,
I want to stay in Page and like to visit upper antelope, lower antelope and horseshoe band in a single day and then back to Las Vegas to catch our flight at night. Does it sound like feasible plan
I saw few tour operator cover upper antelope but not horse shoe band and lake powell and lower antelope.
If they are covering all these places it is either from sedona or flagstaff not from page itself.
Can you give some on how to cover all these places.
Dear Purbali,
If you absolutely have to visit Horseshoe Bend, plus Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, and head back to Las Vegas that night, I strongly recommend getting a very early start on your activities. It takes fully 4.5 hours to drive from Page to Las Vegas and for your safety, we do not recommend driving at night.
The reason you do not see tour operators doing this itinerary out of Page is because most visitors drive here in their own vehicle or by rental car and all of these destinations are within relatively close proximity of one another. There is no bus or train service to Page, so if can’t get here by car, you’ll have to sign on with a tour company that offers multi-day tours such as this one ->: https://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Vegas/3-Day-National-Parks-Camping-Tour-Grand-Canyon-Zion-Bryce-Canyon-and-Monument-Valley-from-Las-Vegas/d684-5602GCZMV_3D
Good luck!
Alley
we are visiting Las Vegas around thanksgiving this year and wanting to drive to Grand Canyon, after doing some research it looks like South Rim is pretty much our only choice. But found Horseshoe Bend and wondering if we could do Horseshoe and then on to the South Rim in time for sunset? my husband and I have been to the GC but friends traveling with us really want to go as they have never been. we have never been to Horseshoe Bend and thought it would be nice to go straight there and then on to GC but not sure how much time it would take including drive time. if need be we will just go to GC this trip and do the Horseshoe on the next one.
Hi Casey,
I think that sounds like a lot of driving if you are trying to do it as a day trip. Horseshoe Bend is about 2.5 hours from the South Rim. Many people will do it as a loop from Las Vegas, going from Vegas to Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon, then Zion then back to Vegas.
If you really wanted to, you could drive 4.5 hours to Horseshoe Bend, hike it, and then go to the South Rim, but that is a lot of driving. I think you should either do one or the other, or stay an extra night.
I hope that helps!
Ryan
Hi! I would like to save money & see if I can take a family trip to go see antelope canyon & horseshoe bend from Las Vegas.
Can you suggest a cheap tour guide for the antelope canyon?!
Will it be safe for my 6, 3 yr olds & 7 month (w/ carrier) old?
Does it matter if I start w/ upper/lower canyons? I have a fear of heights… (Will the drive make me crazy?)
Is there a trail at the horseshoe bend where we are close to the lake? Water surrounding it?!
Thanks for your help!!!
Hi Gia,
The tours are roughly the same price, since they are all operated with permission from the Navajo Nation. The first thing you should look for is which company is going during the time spot you want. Each company is assigned different times.
Antelope Canyon is very safe, but if you are carrying a child it would be easier to do Upper Canyon since it does not have any stairs. Lower Canyon might be difficult because of that.
There are no heights on the drive, other then driving across a short bridge if you cross the canyon.
Horseshoe Bend is less than 10 miles from both Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. However, Horseshoe Bend is south of Glen Canyon Dam, so it overlooks the Colorado River not Lake Powell which is formed by the Colorado River backing up against the dam. If you wanted to overlook the lake, just a few miles north is the Carl Hayden visitor center which is a great overlook and has some fun activities for kids. They might also enjoy the tour of the Dam.
I hope that helps!
Ryan
Thank you for your thorough response!!! Best!!
Hi:
I’m coming from Hollywood, Los Angeles and was planning for labor day sept 2016 driving out to Page Arizona to see the horshoe bend and the antelope lower canyon. I’m planning to spend the night so which one should I drive to first?
Hi Gigi,
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are only about 10 minutes from each other so they are logistically very easy. If you are concerned with photography, you should look at this page that shows how Horseshoe Bend looks at different times of the day. If photography is not the primary concern, I would do Antelope Canyon first and then Horseshoe Bend, because the tours for Antelope Canyon stop early afternoon, and sunset is a little cooler in temps for Horseshoe Bend.
Antelope Canyon will be about 10-15 degrees colder than the temperature outside the canyon.
Hope that helps!
Ryan
Hi!
How are Ubers and Lyft services in Page? Can I take one from my hotel to horseshoe bend and then another to antelope canyon and back? Will they be available?
I would also like to plan a trip with my mom from Page to Grand Canyon south rim. Problem is I do not drive, are there round-trip shuttles or tours I can look into?
Hi Steph,
Services such as Uber and Lyft are nonexistent to unreliable at best in this very remote area. The only shuttle service I am aware of at the present time is National Park Express. Operation of this service may be limited to certain days of the week and/or seasons. For more information, visit NationalParkExpress.com
Another option would be to charter an airplane through one of air tour operators at the Page Municipal Airport, such as Grand Canyon Airlines (702) 638-3300 or Westwind Air Service (928) 645-2494. Granted that would be very expensive, but possibly worth checking out.
As for getting to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, there is a tour that covers both attractions, but hotel pickup is not normally offered. You would have to call the tour company to see if they can pick you up, or be prepared to walk to the meeting location.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We are wanting to visit the Horseshoe bend for our son’s 11th bday we would like to rent an affordable cabin where would you suggest us to for cabins or recommend any nice reasonable hotels we planning on visiting in September
Thanks!!
Hi Jennifer,
The 3rd and 4th week of September is traditionally a slower time of year. Prices can be lower during this time.
There are no cabins in Page, but the city approved vacation home rentals a few years ago and it can be a great option if you are travelling with more two people or would like a kitchen and living area. Check out vrbo.com for local homes available for rent.
Most of these are tour brokers but if you find the tour operator then you can get a much better deal. We used ->http://www.grand-adventures.com and booked directly with them. The price was a lot cheaper.
Hello! I am looking for a top line tour of the Grand Canyon. Beginning from 11a – 11a next day. I want to see as much as I can but have no idea where to begin. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Hi Salina,
Before advising you where to begin, we need to know where you plan to begin your trip from. Las Vegas? Phoenix? Los Angeles?
A number of companies offer these, but probably not in the timeframe you’re looking for. The majority of them pick up at 6:00-7:00 AM and last about 36 hours, such as this one from Las Vegas ->: https://grandcanyontourcompany.com/nightbus.htm Others require 2-3 days if beginning from Los Angeles like this one ->: https://www.viator.com/tours/Los-Angeles/3-Day-Las-Vegas-and-Grand-Canyon-Tour-from-Los-Angeles/d645-3357GCNBUS
Hope that helps. Thanks for visiting our site!
Alley
Does the trail extend to allow you to walk around the north and/or south sides of Horseshoe Bend?
At the end of the trail, it becomes slick rock and you can easily navigate north and south to get different viewpoints of the Colorado river and Horseshoe Bend. Most people will just stay around the apex, so it is worth it just to get some space.
How do I travel to horseshoe bend from Los Angeles in october 2016? Can we explore the horseshoe bend on our own without a guide?
Los Angeles to Horseshoe Bend would be about a 9-12 hour drive, depending on where in LA and traffic. You could also fly to Las Vegas and rent a car, or fly directly to Page via Phoenix. You could also take a train to Flagstaff and rent a car.
Horseshoe Bend is a free self guided hike.
Hope that helps!
Hi! What would you think about a hike like this.. leaving vegas at 7am – arriving for a 1:30pm tour at the antelope canyon.. then getting to the horseshoe bend around 330/4 (spending like an hour and a half there) then going to the south rim for the sunset. do you think we would make it? thanks!
Hi Hazel,
That itinerary is very possible, but it is a lot of driving. It would wind up being about 7-8 hours of driving. Depending on the time of year, sunset at the South Rim may or may not be possible.
I hope that helps!
How many hours drive fromLas Vegasto Horseshoe bend?
Hi Kristina,
Locals will drive it in about 4.5 hours. Make sure the GPS doesn’t try and take you through Zion’s, as that will add at least an hour because of the tunnels.
Hi,
I google map but it shows 7 hours drive from LA to Horseshoe bend. Am i missing something?
Hi Sue Ann,
I think so – it actually takes about 8-9 hours to drive from LA (using LAX as a starting point) via the shortest route, which is through Las Vegas, NV, St. George and Kanab, UT.
How far is the hike from horseshoe bend to antelope canyon?
Hi Jack,
To answer your question in a word… ok, two… TOO FAR!
It is 7 miles from the Horseshoe Bend Overlook to the entrance of Lower Antelope Canyon. https://goo.gl/maps/Dweiy63fwZP2
Your best bet is to drive from one to the other, or for Antelope Canyon, catch a tour from the town of Page, AZ. Click here for a current schedule ->: https://antelopecanyon.az/how-to-book-a-tour-for-antelope-canyon/
Alley
Can you hike with dogs?
Yes, you can hike with dogs, but there is no guard rail, so best to keep them under control near the edge!
Is it possible to cover these points of attraction 2D1N from :
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Overnight in Page
Continue next morning to Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon + Monument Valley
Back to, Las Vegas?
Hi Tjia, the second part of your probably too tough. If you did Horseshoe Bend and Antelope, it would be difficult to leave Page before 10am-noon. From Page to Monument Valley back to Las Vegas would be about 8 hours of driving, not including the time you spend in Monument Valley. You might consider adding Zion instead of Monument Valley, because it is on your way back to Vegas.
Hope that helps!
Is there a park entracne fee to Horseshoe Bend?
How much per family?
Thanks.
Joe,
Horseshoe Bend is technically part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but at this time they are not collecting fees.
Ryan
Thanks for this information!
no park entrance fee, just bring water and a hat.
Hello. You’ve been so helpful with your recommendations. I’d like to get your input regarding our trip to Arizona flying in and out of Phoenix.
Arriving on March 13th – heading to flagstaff where we’ll be staying for a week.
Mar 14th to GC west rim for a skywalk tour then to LV for a night
March 15th from LV to flagstaff
March 16th Wednesday headed to GC south rim and do a helicopter tour then head back to Flagstaff
Mar 17th Thur stay in Flagstaff/ Sedona
Mar 18th upper Antelope tour @ 1145 then to Horseshoe bend then head back to Flagstaff
Mar 19th fly out from Phoenix at 1045pm.
Thank you in advance for your assistance .
We’re not sure if this is a good plan /IT. Thank you again.
Hey Boots, and thanks for the compliments!
Your trip plan sounds pretty fun. The two days I have a big concerns about is when you propose to travel from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, then on to Las Vegas that same night. Ditto for your Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend day.
You’re looking at doing ~6-7 hours of driving all totaled that day, and in March, your days are still relatively short. Sunrise takes place at around 6:50 AM and sunset occurs just before 7:00 PM. The drive from Flag (that’s what we call it around here) to the Skywalk will take you ~3.5 hours, then the drive to Las Vegas will take ~2.5 hours. Make sure you time the trip at the end of your day so you’re getting into Vegas before sunset, or close to that time. You want to at least avoid driving the stretch between Grand Canyon West and Dolan Springs in the dark. That road isn’t too brightly lit, and animals might be hanging around. You don’t want to risk a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service might be spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
On your day that you visit Page, AZ, you’re also looking at a lot of driving, ~6 hours round-trip. You’ll need to allow at least 90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend, including the time it takes to park, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. Your Antelope Canyon tour will also take at least 3 hours, factoring in advance check-in time, transit time, possible delays (which are common in the later afternoon hours, plus you’re traveling during spring break). Plus you’ll probably want to grab lunch at some point unless you pack some sandwich fixings or snacks to bring along with you; that could save you some time, money, and hassle what with restaurants still experiencing staffing problems. In Arizona, sunset will occur a bit earlier, around 6:30 PM, so I’d recommend being “wheels up” out of Page, AZ, no later than 2:30-3:00 PM.
Hope that helps! If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected]
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much. Do you recommend doing GC skywalk and GC South rim for a helicopter ride on a different day? Or just one of them is enough?
We appreciate your taking time helping out with our visit:-)
Boots
Hi Boots,
Yes, you would pretty much need to hit both areas on separate days as the driving distance from Grand Canyon West to Grand Canyon South Rim is ~5 hours.
Have fun!
Alley
How far is the walk to Horseshoe Bend from the parking lot?
Jim,
It’s just over a .6 mile walk…but it’s posted as a 3/4 mile or .75 mile walk.
Enjoy,
Karlyn