Let’s face it, any Northern Arizona vacation planner would have to have been living under a rock for the past year not to know how hairy the parking situation has gotten at Horseshoe Bend. It’s hard for us locals to believe that in the space of less than 20 years, what was once an obscure but stunning overlook that the majority of visitors passed by on their way to bigger things (namely, the Grand Canyon), has risen to the #1 position on TripAdvisor’s list of 15 Best Things To Do in Page, Arizona.
Fortunately, the City of Page constructed an expanded parking area in 2018 with designated parking spots for the hundreds, sometimes thousands, of family cars, RV’s, and tour buses that visit the overlook by on a daily basis. Other improvements included public restrooms, a small shade pavilion, and a safety platform with railings. Since the new Horseshoe Bend parking lot opened and began charging entrance fees, there has been a substantial reduction in traffic accidents, and fewer calls to the local police department to ticket folks that park on the shoulder of US89 illegally. Still, the Horseshoe Bend parking lot does fill up from time to time. If that’s the case at the time of your visit, you’ll be asked to come back later. If a space doesn’t free up when you do, you’ll be asked to come back later – again. Wash, rinse, repeat.
If this doesn’t sound like your idea of a vacation, we don’t blame you in the least, and are happy to report that there are alternatives that will save you time and hassle.
Flight tours over Horseshoe Bend are offered daily from the Page Municipal Airport in both fixed-wing airplanes and state-of-the-art Eco-Star EC-130 helicopters, expressly built for aerial sightseeing. In about 30 minutes time in the air, you’ll see a ton of incredible scenery in addition to Horseshoe Bend, including:
Want to take the “wow factor” off the scale? Ask about adding a landing on top of Tower Butte to a Horseshoe Bend Helicopter Flight! An air tour is a wonderful way to not only gain a truer understanding of Horseshoe Bend and how it relates to the surrounding landscape, but also for getting a feel for how huge Lake Powell really is, and how the works of Nature and Man can create something amazing together.
Tip: book your flight for the earlier morning hours for optimal lighting conditions and less wind.
What trip to the American Southwest would be complete without taking a horseback ride? Now, you can saddle up and ride a gentle trail horse to the very edge of Horseshoe Bend instead of wasting valuable vacation time competing with other like-minded visitors for a parking space. Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides is a newly established tour outfitter situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, which share a common boundary with National Park Service land on the Southern side of Horseshoe Bend Overlook. No previous riding experience is required to take part in this one-of-a-kind, Navajo-guided excursion, but age and weight restrictions may apply. Please contact the tour company for more details on these. Standard tour length is 2 hours, and group sizes are limited to 10 people, so advance reservations are recommended.
Tip: ask about Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides’ exclusive hiking tour of Wind Castle Slot Canyon.
Tip: Ask about upgrading to Horseshoe Bend Tours’ “Trifecta” package, which includes a tour of Secret Antelope Canyon, a visit to Horseshoe Bend, and a half-day smooth water raft trip through Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon!
Have you already been to Horseshoe Bend, or are so averse to dealing with its crowds that you’re willing to sacrifice it altogether? You don’t necessarily have to. There’s another bend in the Colorado River, literally located next door to Horseshoe Bend, that feels more like Horseshoe Bend used to be. It’s called Waterholes Bend, and can be visited by prior arrangement with the tour company who now manages Waterholes Slot Canyon, Waterhole Canyon Experience LLC. So, the $64,000 question is, does Waterholes Bend look like Horseshoe Bend? Not so much. Waterholes Bend doesn’t boast the almost perfectly symmetrical shape that Horseshoe Bend does. It would bear more of a resemblance to a “lopsided heart” if you were to look at it from the air, plus the hike to it is a bit more involved. You would also have to make advance arrangements to tour this section of the Navajo Reservation, but many people find the added “inconvenience” – if you can call it that – to be more than a fair exchange for experiencing one of the few remaining “hidden” gems this part of Northern Arizona. Tip: Skip overcrowded Antelope Slot Canyon, too, and tour Waterholes Slot Canyon instead.
If there’s no talking you out of visiting Horseshoe Bend in your own vehicle and on your own terms, one way you can avoid most of the crowds is by visiting the overlook just after sunrise. During the summer months, you’ll consider that a blessing in order to avoid the oppressive heat, which can exceed 110℉ in the afternoons.
No matter what time you visit, be sure to bring plenty of water for your entire party, and to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Closed-toed shoes are also recommended on summer days, as the sand gets hot enough to melt flip-flops.
We’re not kidding.
98 Responses
Was wondering if there is any way to photograph Horseshoe Bend at night. I’m actually interested in shooting a Timelapse from day to night and would need to be there around 3pm to 9pm. I’ll have my own car but I don’t think there is any parking outside of the gated parking lot. Any work-arounds or intel I should know about to do this legally? I get being in the park at night is fine (no camping), but the parking situation throws a wrench into things? Appreciate any assistance you can offer. I’m going there for a few days in March 2024.
Thanks.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The Horseshoe Bend parking lot is managed by the City of Page, so if any exceptions are to be made to the “sunrise to sunset” rule, they would be the ones to make it. Please contact the City offices (probably after the holiday weekend would be best) at 928-645-8861.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Alley
How can I photograph a sunset at Horseshoe bend if parking lot closes at Sunset?
David,
Please contact the City of Page as they are responsible for enforcement of the parking lot hours. 928-645-8861
Alley
it’s just two miles from Walmart in Page, you can simply park there and hike there any time…
Sorry to re-ask, so you could park at Walmart and walk to Horseshoe Bend only 2 miles?
Hi Javier,
I would not recommend it. The trail is not formally established, better known as a “social” trail. It’s unpaved, unmaintained, and traverses some potentially dangerous terrain. We can’t in good conscience recommend that anyone risk their personal safety trying to get to Horseshoe Bend in this manner.
Sorry 🙁
Alley
Hi Alley – Thanks for your time and insights on Horseshoe Bend. I am planning a trip mid-April and wanted to go for sunset hike as sun is setting around 7pm. I see in one of your comments that the parking lot closes at 7pm. Does that mean I need to be out of the parking lot by 7pm? Is it impossible to get parking around 5pm in the lot? Besides the shuttle service which ends at 4pm, are there other options to get to and from the Horseshoe Bend?
Hi David,
Unfortunately, sunset is closing time for the parking lot. If there are any other ways to get out there after sunset, I am not yet aware of them (readers, if you care to chime in on this, feel free!). As for how easy or hard it is to find parking around 5:00 PM, it varies from day to day, but I will speculate that since mid-April is around Easter, and Spring Break holiday for many U.S. schools, it’s bound to be busy. My advice would be to visit the overlook just after sunrise (which is just before 6:00 AM during the month of April). A morning visit offers two distinct advantages: cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I have very important documents on that phone. What had happened was that I thought I put my phone in my hoodie pocket but missed and fell. Please say you can help me. Please:(:(:(:(
Dear Ari Jae,
So sorry to hear that you lost your phone at Horseshoe Bend! I would recommend contacting the City of Page Police Department since they are the agency charged with looking after the parking lot. Hopefully they can keep an eye out for it should anyone turn it in. Their phone number is 928-645-2463.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
I am going to Las Vegas in January for a week and we’re taking 2 nights And staying at the Grand Canyon will it be easy to go to the horse back Bend and antelope Canyon before going to the Grand Canyon also do we have to pay for the horseback band I know you do for the antelope CanyonPlease need help thank you
Hi Edward,
“Will it be easy to go to the HorseSHOE Bend and Antelope Canyon before going to the Grand Canyon?”
No.
It takes roughly 5 hours to drive to Page, AZ (the nearest town to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon). It then takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend, then another 90 minutes-2 hours to tour Antelope Canyon. After all that, you’d then be facing another 3 hours minimum to drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, which you’d be doing at night, which is strongly discouraged. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate tactic for preserving the natural darkness of the night sky. Another risk is encountering deer, elk, and other large animals such as free range cattle and wild horses. Additionally, daylength during the month of January is very short: sunrise occurs at about 7:30 AM local time, and sunset occurs at around 5:30 PM. So, you have 10 hours of daylight to work with, 8 hours of driving, and 4-5 hours of sightseeing. Hopefully you can see that that math doesn’t add up.
If you wish to visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon, a better plan would be to spend 1 night in Page, AZ, then 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim.
To answer your other query, yes, you do have to pay to park at Horseshoe Bend Overlook. For most standard passenger vehicles, it’s a one-time fee of $10. Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot Reopens, Parking Fees Implemented
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Arrived in Page yesterday for my second trip. Love it so much the first time I had to come back, esp to see Horseshoe Bend and Photograph it again. Sadly I see that there is a $10.00 parking fee (on each and every entry). I have no problems in paying the fee, but if you are wanting to return several times over several days it makes it a rather expensive task. Hopefully those fees go directly into recovering the area. I had heard that there was a fee and went to scope out the area, what I thought was a turn around point wasn’t actually that and had no option to enter through and pay. (again I have no problem with this even though it wasn’t my intention to park and view). Sadly there is no option to bulk purchase over several days for multiple viewing even though NP and rec areas seem to have a few days coverage. I walked to short easy walk down to the bend and see some improvements from the last time. I also saw the railing which I have no issues with. What I did see was a expansion of erosion from foot traffic that has now further spread out each side, trees trampled etc. Pretty sad to see. Coupled with a few arrogant and almost aggressive tourists, jostling to get their favourite image it no longer provides a relaxed feeling . I know that tourist behaviour (including myself) is hard to control and always try and treat people how Id want to be treated, but it seems like common place in several NP that I have recently visited.
Hi Geoff,
The parking situation at Horseshoe Bend is less than ideal, and your complaint is certainly not the first of its nature to cross our desk. It is admittedly a work in progress, and a necessary step to maintain some semblance of control of traffic at the overlook. Unfortunately, as a privately owned site, we’re not in a position to do much about the present arrangement (lack of multi-day pass, monitoring tourist behavior) save for voicing our concerns to the entity responsible for fee collection, namely the Page Police Department. If you wish to do the same, their phone number is 928-645-2463.
Thank you for visiting us, and hope you give it another chance.
Alley
If we come on the Friday morning after Labor Day weekend, what are the odds the parking lot will be full? We are also doing a slot canyon tour at either 9 or 9:40 am that day, so we can either do Horseshoe Bend first (but then it seems shadows might be an issue?) and worry about getting back in time, or do the canyon tour first and then have a greater chance the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend will be full. Any advice? After finishing we are heading back toward Las Vegas so late afternoon is out. Thanks for answering everyone’s questions here!
Hi Rachel,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. Being Labor Day weekend, I, too, was traveling!
Honestly, it’s hard to say whether the Horseshoe Bend parking lot will be full at the time you visit, but if you try and hit it between the hours of 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, chances are good that it will be. I’d strongly recommend hitting it just after sunrise so you can enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people. Yes, the ‘Bend will be in shadow, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You’ll still be able to get good photos. Sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM at the time of year you’re visiting.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I’ve planned a trip to Horseshoe Bend on Tuesday, August 27th. My flight arrives to Las Vegas, which then we are driving from Las Vegas that same morning (which is about 4.5 hour drive I believe), and probably won’t arrive there until 12:00-1:00pm. Considering this is a week day, do you think we’ll be able to get a parking spot? And if the lot is full, are we able to wait until another car leaves to take their spot? This will be the only day I will be able to hike the horseshoe. How far is the parking lot to the start of the Horseshoe bend hike? How long is the hike up to the peak of the horseshoe bend (I’m a pretty good shape)? If the weather forecast shows that it’ll be raining, will Horseshoe Bend be closed? Will it be posted on the sight prior? Sorry I’m asking a lot of questions. I just want to be fully prepared for my trip.
Hi Monica,
Since you are traveling during peak vacation season, whether you arrive on a weekday vs. the weekend will make no difference. It will still be busy here, especially seeing as though your visit is planned right before the Labor Day weekend, when families are trying to get in that one last trip before kids get back in school. Long story short, there’s no guarantee as to whether or not you will be able to find a parking space. Unlike the local shopping mall, you won’t be allowed to “circle” the parking lot until you find a space. Once the parking lot fills, the on-site monitoring staff will close the lot, and direct people to an alternate parking area, where a bus stands by to shuttle people to the overlook.
As to the distance from the parking lot to the trail, it’s not very far. From the parking lot to the overlook, it’s .6 miles one way. The overlook will not close on account of bad weather.
By the way, the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, normally takes ~4.5 hours, but it might take a bit longer at the time you are visiting due to construction taking place on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We are making a trip to AZ in August. We will be staying two nights in the Grand Canyon, and then driving to Page to take a tour of the lower Antelope Canyon. All tours were booked during the late morning, early afternoon. We were able to get a 3:45 slot. Is this a good or bad time for lighting? Also it is on Aug 18th, I read somewhere that it can sometimes close due to heat. Does that happen a lot? I am wondering if we should book something the next morning for 7:30? (Or would the lighting be bad that early?) We also want to see Horsehoe Bend, however reading all the commentary, I am worried about being able to find a parking spot! Initially was thinking of doing the Antelope Canyon tour in afternoon, and the next morning doing the Horsehoe bend (very early). Or should we swap this? Or even try to see Horsehoe bend before we get to Antelope Canyon. I would love your thoughts on what we should do first.
Kris
Hi Kris, and thank you for your inquiry!
You are 100% correct to be concerned about heat in mid-August. Another consideration at that time of year is flash flood danger: August typically falls in the middle of Northern Arizona’s monsoon season, when afternoon thunderstorms pose a significant safety hazard in areas like slot canyons, ravines, dry washes, etc. Between excessive heat and flash flood warnings, Antelope Canyon tours scheduled for later in the afternoon do tend to be cancelled quite frequently in August. Booking your Antelope Canyon tour early in the morning will go a long way towards ensuring that you do not endure this inconvenience, or encounter these hazards. The light in the canyon is perfectly fine for photos, the tour companies would not offer these early morning departures if that were not the case. If you find that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out at your desired time/day, consider alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful, but less crowded.
As for when to visit Horseshoe Bend, the second phase of the parking lot has just opened. I hear from a reliable source that these extra parking spaces have helped the congestion considerably, but the hours between 10:00 AM and sunset are still quite crowded. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at ~5:45 AM. The parking lot typically opens about half an hour before. Depending on the company you go with for your Antelope Canyon tour, check-in is required 30-60 minutes prior to departure, so a sunrise visit to Horseshoe Bend might cut it a bit close for a 7:30 AM Antelope Canyon tour.
Long story short, my advice is check things out at Horseshoe Bend on the drive in from Grand Canyon South Rim. If the parking lot is full, then plan to come back right at sunrise the following morning.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley!
Tommorow, we are passing by Horseshoe bend on the way to Waterholes, at around 9am. I read about parking lot being under construction. How is the situation now? We want to stop by, don’t mind paying 10$ fee, walk there and back and then continue to Waterholes, we just don’t have time for shuttles or distant parking lots. Thanks.
Andy
Hi Andy,
The new parking lot is complete, as to whether you’ll be able to find a parking space when you arrive, that remains to be seen. Keep in mind that the hours between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM are the busiest times of the day, and you might encounter a lot of competition for parking spaces. If you can possibly get there earlier, it can work to your advantage.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Hoping you can help…we’re doing a coach tour and will be staying at the Lake Powell Resort for two nights in mid July. We have half a day’s free time on our second day (a Thursday) and would love to do an afternoon Slot Canyon Tour and know we have to pick these up from Page. I know these tours usually have to be booked in advance and am aware that Lake Powell Resort runs a shuttle service to Page, however despite contacting them several times for the shuttle schedule, they have not been very helpful. The last thing I want to do is pay for one of these tours and then not be able to get there and I have also been advised by several of the tour companies that a taxi can be booked in advance through Buggy Taxis but that it would cost in excess of $100 return…do you know of anywhere that I can find the shuttle schedule? I’ve already tried the Resort’s website, local Page information sites and Trip Advisor without success. Thanks, Lyn.
Hi Lyn,
Unfortunately, Lake Powell Resort is the best source of information for the in-town shuttle schedule. I’m sorry to hear that they’ve been less than helpful. The reason they may not be that forthcoming with it is because, in years past, it has simply operated on an “on-demand” basis, while at other times, it ran on an hourly schedule. I am curious, though, if you’ve been in contact with the local staff at the resort, or with ARAMARK’s corporate offices in Phoenix? If you’ve been in contact with the latter entity, their staff is not on-site at Lake Powell Resort, and hence may not be knowledgeable about the day-to-day operations. I’d suggest calling the front desk locally. A number I have from past contacts is 928-645-1111. If for some reason that’s not the right number, they should be able to transfer you.
Good luck,
Alley 🙂
Thanks, Alley. Unfortunately I did contact the resort direct. They said they were going to email me a copy of the shuttle schedule but there was no attachment and when I contacted them to ask for it to be sent again, they just gave me the shrug off. But I didn’t think of the Corporate Office, so thanks for that tip, I’ll give it a go and see how I get on.
Regards,
Lyn.
Hey Lyn,
I’m so glad you wrote back, I was going to contact you, but you beat me to the punch.
I was able to get in touch with a Page, AZ, resident with relatives that work at the resort. They told me the shuttle runs once an hour between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Also, the # I had was wrong, it is 928-645-1030. Ask for Dee if she’s there.
Good luck!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
Just wanted to confirm. The parking lot at HB does open at 5pm. Be sure to pull in at that exact time. It fills up quickly. Crowd was big.
Thanks,
Joe
Hi Joe,
Thanks for sharing your experience with the parking situation at Horseshoe Bend. We hope it wasn’t too inconvenient.
For future visitors, “semi-official” notice of the parking lot closure hours was recently posted as being from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but as Joe observed, the situation can be quite fluid. If you don’t want to mess with all that hassle, ways to avoid it are:
Taking a scenic flight by plane or helicopter
Taking a horseback ride
Taking the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours shuttle that accesses the overlook via private property on the Navajo Reservation; you can also dovetail this onto the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tour
Good luck and safe travels to all,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I went hiking around the main “touristy” area of Horseshoe Bend and May have dropped my wallet either on the path or down by the “viewing area.” I already contacted the Page area police to give them a heads up. Is there I number I can call to either the parking booth or a lost and found that someone may have turned it in?
Thank you,
Jackie H.
Hi Jackie,
So sorry you lost your wallet! You’ve already taken probably the most effective step by contacting the local police department. They keep in close touch with the staff that mans the parking lot, so your report has almost certainly already been passed on. Other than that, you might try posting a call-out on the local Facebook group, Page Arizona Community Bulletin Board (it requires you to join first).
Good luck, and hope you enjoyed your visit – and that you find your wallet!
Alley
Hi Alley,
We’ll be staying in Page one night, in a couple weeks. Driving over from GC. Just wanted to confirm, parking lot is open before 10am and after 5pm, correct?
Thanks,
Joe
Alley,
First off, thank you so much for all of your great advice. It is so kind of you to offer your advice so freely and it is much appreciated. I have a big road trip planned for my family in June. We plan to leave Kansas City and head to San Diego in a 12 passenger Transit Van and a mini van. Ten adults under 50 and 2 toddlers – 1 year old. We have reservations at Mather campground at the south rim, then heading to San Diego. After a few days there we will leave early and arrive in southwest Utah in the evening, I think we have found an Air BNB near La Verkin that we will stay in for Thursday night, then off to explore southern Utah/Northern AZ Friday. We looked at the Narrows but might be a tough hike with two toddlers, right? So any suggestions for beautiful scenery – I’d like to drive thru the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to Kanab (my daughter wants to see the caves). We would like to see Horseshoe Bend and maybe the Upper Antelope Canyon, though I have seen some age restrictions and wonder if we can do much with the little ones? A raft ride would be neat, or the horse trail rides at Horseshoe Bend, but again, with the little ones, not sure what is available. Oh, and most of my passengers are on a budget! We will probably find another place for Friday night near Page or wherever we end up before heading to 4 Corners Saturday and into Colorado for one more overnight, then back to Kansas City. Just looking for suggestions with the size and ages in our group. Thank you again for your help.
Hi Nikki, and thank you for your acknowledgements!
With 2 little ones in tow, you’re going to be limited on what you can do and where you can go. You must let them, and their endurance level, set the pace for your daily activities, unless your group is willing to split up in order to let some of the “grown-ups” accomplish some of the items on their wish lists.
For Antelope Canyon, young children are best off sticking to Upper Antelope Canyon. At only 100 yards in length, it won’t be too big of a stretch for them to manage. The hardest part of that tour is probably the buckboard truck ride down the 2-mile dirt track leading from the Tribal Park Entrance to the mouth of the canyon. The raft trip is out; children must be at least 4 to take part in that. Unless, again, if your group is willing to split up for half a day’s time. Ditto for the Horseshoe Bend trail rides (age limit is 5 IIRC).
Other activities you might consider for your time in Page, AZ, include, but aren’t limited to, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, touring the Glen Canyon Dam, cultural programs at the Navajo Village Heritage Center, and the scenic Lakeshore Drive Loop along Lake Powell.
As for Zion National Park, depending on where Page, AZ, falls on your itinerary, you should be able to do the Mt. Carmel tunnel drive, if it is open at the time of your visit. That area has received a huge amount of rain of late, which has resulted in a lot of the in-park roads being closed. As of right now, vehicles such as RV’s and buses are prohibited from driving this section of the Zion Scenic Drive. By June, things will hopefully change, but I’d recommend monitoring the park website to keep abreast of any developments with the repairs of the road.
Hope that helps for now. With a group your size, I strongly recommend making reservations for any guided tours, and campgrounds, well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Do you know if HB is open before sunrise? I’m looking forward to taking pictures as the sun comes up. I’ll just have to figure out, how to get s ride out there so early.
Thanks,
Joe
Hi Joe,
Yes, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is technically open 24/7, so you may visit at sunrise in your own vehicle. If you are visiting between now and mid-April, keep in mind that the main parking area is closed between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and a shuttle is provided for $5/person.
Regarding your comment re: “figuring out how to get a ride out there so early,” that begs the question of how are you getting to Page, AZ? There is little to no mass transit available in this part of Arizona, save for commuter flights from Phoenix and Las Vegas, so if you’re not going to be renting a car, and not traveling with a tour company, you’re going to have a hard time getting to Page, AZ, in the first place.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
do you have the temporary parking lot address?
Hi Ben,
I don’t have the exact address, but frankly, you don’t need it. There is ample signage to direct you to the temporary parking lot, which is just around the corner from the main parking area of the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. For a Google Earth rendering, visit Lake Powell News Network.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
I’m looking to get some good photos right before sunset but I noticed the shuttle does not start until 9 am. Am I able to park in the lot if it is before or after shuttle hours or do I need to visit between 9am-4pm?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I wish I knew when your visit was planned for, that would really help me advise you best. Right now, the Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot is closed between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and shuttle service being offered during that time, so construction crews can complete some projects that are running behind schedule. This is expected to continue until at least mid-April.
If your visit is planned for after that time, then you would theoretically be able to park in the parking lot anytime during the day that you could find space. The main thing is not to park on the side of US89. You will get a very expensive ticket for that.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
I’ll be visiting Page, AZ with my family on April 18-20th. We’re planning to visit the Horseshoe Bend, but a bit unsure how to get there. I’ve read on this website that there’s a shuttle, but it says it operates from January to April 15th. What happens after April 15th?
What would you say is the best way to visit?
Thanks,
Nuno
Hi Nuno,
The parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is subject to temporary closure during the hours of 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in order to facilitate the completion of some long-overdue construction projects. April 15th is the projected completion date, but as to whether that will materialize remains to be seen. Personally, I have my doubts that will happen because this winter has delivered abnormally high snowfalls, which never bode well for construction.
If you find the parking lot still closed when you arrive here, you should plan on taking the shuttle, or utilizing one of several alternate means of including the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in your plans, including horseback rides, or scenic overflights.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thanks so much for the advice Alley!
Hi, what’s the snow situation in the area and in the bend specially? Also, are there any roads closed on the way from flagstaff?
Thanks!
Hi Jim, and sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry. I hope you were able to find the information you were looking for.
For those of you considering wintertime travel in Northern Arizona, please note that winter of 2019 has delivered higher than normal amounts of snow, which can affect your travel plans. Before setting out to Horseshoe Bend, the Grand Canyon, or points North, please check local road conditions at http://www.AZ511.com
Best wishes for safe travels to all!
Alley 🙂
Have a trip planned in Page, Arizona for March 22nd to March 29th. This will be our first time in Arizona, and I have done a little research, but I need advice on weather. I am coming from Wisconsin where it is obviously still chilly in March. I don’t want to bring too much warm or cold clothes, what is the appropriate attire during our stay? Thank you so much!
Hi Tiffany,
We have actually had a wetter and colder than normal winter in Page, AZ — so far, anyway. As for what March will be like, that’s too soon to call. Normally, March can be sunny and brisk, or you could get a late season snowstorm or two moving through. My advice would be to start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you travel. Since you’re spending a week out here, I assume you’re also planning to visit Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, etc.? Since the altitudes of those parks can vary widely, be sure to monitor conditions at all of them. Plan to pack layers that you can easily remove and/or put back on while you’re out sightseeing. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear for walking are recommended at all times of the year.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Planning a trip to Arizona mid July. Will be driving from Western Oklahoma. 4 adults, 2 college kids. I am thinking of renting a house in Page, arriving on Friday, July 19. Saturday, July 20 do the Lower Antelope Canyon tour morning and then either Kayak Antelope Canyon or Glen Canyon raft trip (which would you suggest)? Sunday the 21, 1/2 day private fishing trip on lake Powell (any suggestions)?. Monday morning leave Page and head to Grand Canyon, spend 3-4 hours and then head on to resort in Sedona (is that too much for one day and absolutely don’t want to drive in the dark anywhere out there)? Would it be better to leave Page on Sunday morning and drive to resort in Sedona (realistically how long is that drive) then and take a bus day trip on Monday to Grand Canyon? Plan to stay a couple days in Sedona (nothing else planned so far any suggestions welcome) and then on to Cibola Vista Resort in Peoria, AZ for a few days (nothing planned as yet any suggestions welcome). I have read your forum and am impressed with your practical advice to assist folks in making informed decisions.
Hi Jan, and thank you for visiting our site!
With a party your size, a vacation home rental is a sensible solution. Most “traditional” hotels limit the number of people in one room to 5, plus a vacation rental usually comes with a fully stocked kitchen, so you can cook your own meals instead of eating out all the time. For more information on Page, AZ, vacation rentals, visit VRBO, Air B&B, Flipkey, Homeaway, TripAdvisor, or your own personal favorite vacation rental site.
For a water-based activity, the kayak tour is certainly fun, and more of a “hands-on” experience, but if you want to get a taste of scenery that is somewhat different, the Half Day Float Trip will take you through the last remaining intact section of Glen Canyon, and give you a better sense of Lake Powell’s importance in the grander scheme of things.
On your departure day, going from Page to Sedona via the Grand Canyon can be done, but IMO is too much driving for one day. It takes ~3.5 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon. I know Google maps gives the time estimate as 2.5 hours, but that rarely materializes since the drive is very scenic and you’ll be stopping to take pictures. Not to mention the inevitable bathroom breaks, meal stops, etc. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona would then take ~3 hours. You’d also run the risk of having to make part of the drive to Sedona at night, and yes, that’s something that really should be avoided. The section of the drive from Flagstaff via ALT89 is very windy, and throw in a stray deer, elk, or free range cow, and you have a potential recipe for disaster.
If you still have the option of modifying your trip plan slightly, I’d recommend spending the night at Grand Canyon South Rim. There are no rental homes in the immediate vicinity, so you’d have to go the traditional hotel route, but a sunset and/or sunrise on the canyon rim really is a sight to behold!
As for things you might do in Sedona, there’s no shortage of options. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is generally regarded as a “must do,” as is a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, taking a dip at Slide Rock State Park, hot air balloon rides… just to name a few. For suggestions, visit http://www.VisitSedona.com: 100 Things To Do in Sedona, AZ
In the Peoria, AZ, area (which is really a suburb of Phoenix), here again, you’ll find a lot of things to see and do, but one thing to keep in mind is that you’re visiting during the hottest time of the year. Any outdoor activities should be done first thing in the morning in order to avoid the 120+ mid-day temperatures that are typical of July. Art museums and shopping centers would probably be a safe bet for things to occupy your time, in air-conditioned comfort! Your concierge at the Cibola Vista would probably be a good source of information, as would the official tourism website for the city of Peoria .
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
I did not see any public parking lot for Horseshoe Bend either.
There does exist one near the entrance, but people standing at the entrance said “keep moving” and did not let me in.
So I parked as other people did at the off-shoulder highway and got a parking violation ticket from Page Police…
Any suggestions on how to deal with the ticket? (not a small amount….)
In addition, where to park for visiting Horseshoe Bend in the future?
Hi Alexa,
So sorry to hear that you received a parking ticket during your visit to Page, AZ. The Christmas and New Year’s holiday weekends were busier than everyone expected and the government shutdown didn’t help matters either. I can’t promise this will help, but I would suggest addressing your concerns to the local entities entrusted with managing the area:
National Park Service, (928) 608-6200 (who won’t be reachable until the shutdown is over)
Page, AZ, Police Department, (928) 645-2463
Page, AZ, Tourism & Economic Development Office (928) 645-4310
As for where to park in the future, improvements are underway to expand the existing parking lot significantly, but this may be a case of “too little, too late.” Our best advice right now is to visit right at sunrise. The overlook is usually not as crowded then.
Thank you for contacting us,
Alley
Hi Alley,
we’ll be over in Page July 14 and 15, 2019. We already have visits booked in the lower and upper Antelope Canyon, and wanted to visit the Horseshoe Bend on the 14th. We have a 30ft RV, guess not very handy to drive there and find a parking spot… But it turns out that the shuttle does not go on the Sundays. Would you have any advice how to get there? We’ll be driving from Grand Canyon, so assume later afternoon, early evening would be ideal for us, if possible at all? I have reservations at Lake Powel campingsite.
happy 2019!
Ron
Hello Ron, and Happy New Year!
At the present time, improvements to the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend are underway, which includes a few spaces designated for larger vehicles, such as buses and RV’s. Work should be complete by April. If you still encounter a full parking lot, you might consider rescheduling your visit to Horseshoe Bend for sunrise the following morning. Another option worth considering would be an airplane or helicopter flight over Horseshoe Bend. A little more expensive, certainly, but you’ll get to see a lot in addition to Horseshoe Bend, in a relatively short amount of time. These depart from the Page Municipal Airport and should be reserved in advance.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Is this a National Park that is closed right now? And is there snow at this time?
Hi Kristy,
Although Horseshoe Bend does fall within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area boundary, the State of Arizona has provided emergency funding to keep it open to visitors. Snow is present right now, but is expected to melt within a day or two. Still, caution should be exercised near the canyon’s edge. Be aware of the parking situation and the need to be flexible if you encounter a full lot. Shuttles are available from town that can help you avoid these problems.
Safe travels and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley!
I am visiting with my parents the grand canyon only for a couple of days! I have one option but wanted to ask you some help:
1- We are visiting on Feb 22nd the South Rim part – do the dessert view drive. we have our own car. if we start early in the day, do you think we can still do the antelope on Feb 22nd afternoon? or is it better to do on 23rd?
I have read that is better around 12 pm because of light. is this true?
2- Also, if we do on Feb 23rd the antelope, we still want to see the horseshoe bend (we will overnight from 22nd to 23rd in Page). But I see is hard because of parking, etc. Can we easily get the shuttle? come and back? do we need to book in advance?
Do we have time to do both antelope and horseshoe bend if we do all this on the 23rd?
Thanks!
Ana
Hi Ana,
Factoring in stops on the Desert View Drive, the trip from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, can take as long as 4 hours. With an early enough start, you could easily tour Antelope Canyon that same afternoon, and hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town (parking permitting). If you are unable to visit in your own vehicle, the shuttle from Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours is a good alternate option. Tickets should be purchased in advance.
With a full day, you can tour both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Antelope Canyon tours take anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours; 60-90 minutes are recommended to visit Horseshoe Bend.
Happy New Year and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley!
I have some vacation time to burn (December 27th to January 1st) and I would like to visit the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. Is that a terrible idea this time of year? I saw the temperature will be in the 40-50’s which doesn’t seem to bad, but I’m worried about rain and snow.
I’m from Reno, NV. Would you recommend flying into Las Vegas and starting the trip from there to the Grand Canyon, then to Page, AZ to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend? How would you spend your 5 days of vacation in that general area?
Thanks for any recommendations!
Yenh
Hello Yenh,
There’s no such thing as a bad time of year to visit the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area! Yes, rain and/or snow could be a factor, but unless a storm dumps a really huge amount of snow, it typically doesn’t result in anything as severe as road closures. Naturally, it’s too soon to call, but I’d recommend keeping an eye on the weather starting about 2 weeks before your vacation.
Yes, flying in to Las Vegas would be the best way to start your trip. Depending on when your flights arrive and/or depart, however, you might need to use one or both travel days to overnight in Las Vegas. This could potentially whittle your actual “vacation” time down to 3-4 days. So, with that in mind, here’s what I’d recommend:
December 27th: fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas.
December 28th: drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, with optional stopover at Hoover Dam. Drive time 4.5-5.5 hours. Overnight at Grand Canyon
December 29th: drive to Page, AZ. Drive time given on Google Maps is 2.5 hours, but it ends up being more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours due to the number of Grand Canyon scenic overlooks and other sights you can stop at along the way. The Cameron Trading Post is a great “brunch” stop. Hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town (parking permitting), or first thing the following morning. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon if at all possible. Overnight in Page, AZ.
December 30th: drive from Page, AZ to Zion National Park (~2-2.5 hours), stay 2 nights in Springdale, UT.
January 1st, 2019: Drive back to Las Vegas (~2.5 hour drive from Springdale), fly home. Time/inclination/weather permitting, you might make a detour to the very cool Valley of Fire State Park.
If you manage to get another day to work with somewhere, I’d recommend either visiting Bryce Canyon (between Page, AZ and Zion), or adding another night onto Grand Canyon South Rim.
Anyway, hope that helps. Here’s wishing you safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
Thanks so much, Alley! You’re the best. I appreciate the time and details in your response! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!
Alley,
Your responses are so incredibly helpful. They feel like a warm hug to someone who is currently trying to make the most of a last minute trip and feeling overwhelmed– I just got a new job, and I have a few days in between — so we just booked our flight out to Las Vegas planning to do SOMETHING. I had my heart set on an overnight mule ride down to Phantom Ranch at the Grand Canyon but of course it was booked up. We arrive in Las Vegas late Tuesday Dec 4th and have a hotel room there. The only other thing we have set is a hotel room in Vegas Friday night to leave Saturday morning on a 6:30 AM flight.
Everyone I know has done these magnificent Grand Canyon experiences (overnight guided camping, a week of rafting…) so I was hesitant to book 2 days there with no special event planned… I might also still be reacting to the disappointment of the mule ride not being available (I had to wait 3 days to find out because they were closed for Thanksgiving and my hopes got way up). So we thought to ourselves that maybe we would do Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend with our 2 days so that we can check those off our list and save the Grand Canyon for a really well planned and special trip one day. I say this to people and then I see your responses (and my own brother’s comments) that the Grand Canyon still blows the other options off the map.
Oh Alley, what should we do?? I am also seeing the tours you recommended in Page (the boat trips, dinner cruises etc) are not available in the winter. We love to hike but I really like to feel like I am well prepared on a trip, I research like crazy and want to feel confident that we are making the best choices possible in a place we may never get back to with our time and money. Any and all guidance you can give would be so deeply appreciated. I know that all of these places are wonders of the world and there should be no disappointment involved, I just need someone who has been to all to tell me what’s up. Should we go to Page and save the Grand Canyon for another more prepared, special trip? Or should we just get a room on the Grand Canyon and see as much as we can?
Thanks again,
Laura
Hey Laura, thank you for visiting, and for your kind compliments!
As you’ve seen, many activities are on seasonal hiatus, and the Phantom Ranch mule ride is crazy-popular (not to mention they only allow 10 riders per day, which makes it even more difficult to get on). Still, you can definitely have a wonderful visit to Northern Arizona, with plenty to see and do.
With 2 1/2 days to work with, here’s what I’d recommend:
Wednesday, December 5th – drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South rim, with a stopover at Hoover Dam, if desired. Drive time: 4.5-5.5 hours. Overnight at Grand Canyon
Thursday, December 6th – catch sunrise at Grand Canyon South Rim (occurs ~7:30 AM), then head for Page, AZ. A good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will actually occur on this leg of your trip since it takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives. You’ll exit the park at Desert View Point, entering the Navajo Indian Reservation, where there are other attractions you might hit as well, including, but not limited to: Chief Yellowhorse’s curio stands, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (good “brunch” stop!), Chinle formation views, and the “Cut” Overlook. Driving direct, this trip typically takes ~2.5 hours, but due to the scenic nature of the drive, a more accurate figure ends up being around 4 hours. Do an early afternoon tour of one of Antelope Canyon or Waterholes Canyon (not necessary to tour both in order to have a fulfilling visit) OR take a horseback ride to Horseshoe Bend (see what I did there?). Overnight in Page, AZ.
Friday, December 7th – If you decide against the Horseshoe Bend Trail Ride experience, then go to the overlook in your own vehicle first thing in the AM. If you opted for the trail ride the previous day, then do an early slot canyon tour, then head for Las Vegas. Going direct, the drive there takes ~5 hours. Optional “upgrade/detour:” go through Zion National Park. This will add another 60-90 minutes onto your drive. You could also do a detour to the very cool (and very hot in the summertime) Valley of Fire State Park if you prefer.
Of course, you always have the option of concentrating on one destination for now and saving the rest for another time. But if this trip is a possible “once in a lifetime/blue moon” event, then I agree with you that making the most of your time/money is the wisest move. If you ever make it back to this area, plan to spend at least a week — better yet, make it two weeks!
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂
My son and dsughter in law visited Horshoe Bend this past Sunday, Nov, 18. Last night my son realized he may have left hi go-pro camera in a bathroom there. Where would be the best places (email addresses) to check for lost items if someone was kind enough to turn it in to a lost and found? I’d appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you.
Hi Jeff,
So sorry to hear that your son misplaced his GoPro! Horseshoe Bend is managed somewhat jointly by the National Park Service and the Page, AZ Police Department.
The Page, AZ Police Dept can be reached by phone at 928-645-2463 or by e-mail at [email protected]
For the National Park Service, contact information is phone: (928) 608-6200 fax: (928) 608-6259, or if you prefer to e-mail, visit their contact page for Glen Canyon at https://www.nps.gov/glca/contacts.htm
Good luck and hope he finds that camera!
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season,
Alley 🙂
I would like to visit page for a day doing the kayak tour, seeing the bend and canyon x or lower antelope canyon. Is that possible?
I am flying into Vegas and would like to see the Grand Canyon viewpoints, then 1 day at Page, a stop at monument, 1 day at the arches park, 1 day at Bryce Canyon, 1 day hiking the kanarra canyon 1 day at Zion then back to Vegas in 7-8 Days. Does that sound feasible?
Hello Kate, and thank you for visiting!
With 7-8 days to work with, you can certainly accomplish all your goals, but be advised that you’re looking at some long drives to do so.
The drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, according to Google Maps, takes ~4.5 hours. However, that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens anywhere around here because all routes are extremely scenic and you’ll undoubtedly be stopping to take pictures. It’s a good idea to pad given drive time estimates by about 20% in order to factor in the inevitable bathroom breaks, meal stops, and “oh wow, look at that!” moment.
The trip from GC South Rim to Page is ~150 miles, which, under normal circumstances, takes 2.5 hours or so to complete, but this drive is anything but normal! There are over half a dozen named overlooks of the Grand Canyon you can stop before you exit the park, then another half a dozen or so points of interest on the Navajo Reservation, which you’ll be on for another 120 miles before you get to Page. With all there is to see, it’s not unusual for this 2.5 hour drive to turn into 4 hours.
Page to Monument Valley is a 2.5 hour drive, then going on to Moab is another 2.5-3 hours – here again, these are “bare minimum” figures. Moab to Bryce is roughly 5 hours, Bryce to Kanarraville Falls is 2 hours, then it’s a little over 1 hour from there to Springdale, UT, where you’ll most likely find your lodging for Zion.
At this rate, you’ll be packing up and driving to a new location every single day of your trip. IMO, that doesn’t sound like much of a vacation. You should at least allow for some unstructured “downtime” so you can relax and enjoy yourself.
So… as much as I hate to suggest it, I’d recommend taking Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) off the itinerary. Don’t get me wrong, this area is incredibly beautiful, but requires at least 3 days to fully explore, plus, is crazy-crowded in the summer months. Instead, I’d suggest doing something more like this:
1 day at Grand Canyon
1 day at Monument Valley
2 days at Page (you really do need that in order to do a water-based activity in addition to slot canyon tours and visiting Horseshoe Bend)
1 day at Bryce
1 day at Cedar City (for Kanarraville Falls – by the way, this hike requires a permit)
2 days at Zion
If you have more time, you could add another day to Grand Canyon or Zion. If you have to trim off a day, then drop Monument Valley and consider taking a scenic flight over it from the Page Municipal Airport, or drop Kanarra Canyon.
Hope that helps. Be sure to book all lodging and guided tours well in advance of your trip.
Good luck, safe travels, and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley!
Thanks for all the great info! We are planning a family trip in our RV up to the Grand Canyon and Page next week (Thanksgiving week) from Phoenix . Horseshoe Bend is definitely on our list so I’m wondering what tourism is like this time of year. Are this spot and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon still pretty busy? Also any info on Lee’s Ferry camping? TIA!
Hi Mimi and thank you for visiting.
Thanksgiving week is unfortunately one of the busier times of year in Northern Arizona, so the normal rules about travel in the summertime still apply: make all reservations for campgrounds and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Horseshoe Bend doesn’t necessarily require a tour, but you might consider one in light of the fact that RV parking at the overlook is limited, and the parking lot can and does fill up. Since Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, a tour with a licensed company is necessary. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon What To Do If Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out
As for camping at Lees Ferry, there is a campground situated there, however, it has no electrical hook-ups. That’s something you’ll probably want to have because it’s starting to get cold up here. Nighttime lows are dipping to around freezing in Page, AZ and they’re well below freezing at Grand Canyon South Rim. A managed campground with more amenities would probably be more comfortable. These would be the Wahweap Campground inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, or the Page/Lake Powell Campground in the town of Page, AZ. Camping and RV Parks Near Horseshoe Bend
At Grand Canyon South Rim, you’ll want to look at Trailer Village, which has utility hook-ups. It is managed by Delaware North Corporation and should also be reserved in advance.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂
This is very informative, thank you. Unfortunately, Shuttle services on Oct 19-21st are not available to book online. We’re planning to head early morning close to 7.30-am. So hope fully we’ll find parking there.
Hi Rajeev,
Sorry about the troubles with booking the shuttle to Horseshoe Bend. You might check back online periodically to see if any cancellations have occurred, or phone them at (435) 275-4594 when your trip date gets closer.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi
We are a group of 14 people (age 12-75) from Denmark visiting the west coast in juli 2019. Our vacation ends in Las Vegas where we have 8 days. We are planning a boat tour at horseshoe bend or in the area (max. 2 hours) + to see Antelope Canyon. We will have one night in Page. We are planning to make a stop at Skywalk on our drive back to Las Vegas.
What is the best way to do all this – do we have enough time ?
What are the prices ?
Thanks
Hi Rikke and thank you for visiting our site.
Only allowing 2 hours for a boat tour in the Page, AZ area does limit your options, but they are available. The Antelope Canyon waterside tour from Antelope Point Marina lasts approximately 1 hour. One of my personal favorites is the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise, a scenic 2-hour cruise from Lake Powell Resort around Wahweap Bay, complimented by a delicious meal with your choice of beef, chicken or fish entree.
If you can set aside more time, though, I recommend the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. It’s a 4-hour trip that ranks among the top of Page’s “must-do” activities. On this family-friendly trip, you’ll float through the only remaining intact section of Glen Canyon, including Horseshoe Bend, from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. In July, the morning departure (7:00 AM) is best for passenger comfort.
Regarding the Grand Canyon Skywalk, I think you might be basing your plans under a slight misunderstanding of where this attraction is located. Situated Southeast of Las Vegas, it is more convenient to visit Grand Canyon West on the way from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Even so, you’ll be looking at a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West, then another 4-4.5 hour drive from Grand Canyon West to Las Vegas. That’s a lot of driving for 1 day. You might consider taking one of many Grand Canyon West day tours out of Las Vegas , or overnight somewhere in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Unfortunately, lodging choices aren’t too numerous until you get to Kingman, AZ, ~90 minutes South of Grand Canyon West. Refer to the map below to see what I mean.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
These are my plans for October 11. We will be staying in Sedona and have reservations for the Upper Antelope Canyon for 2:30 that afternoon but need to be there 45 minutes prior. We want to do Horseshoe Bend prior to the Antelope Canyon tour. What time would you recommend leaving Sedona to get to Horseshoe Bend and is Oct. 11 a popular time of year that we should anticipate large crowds? Or would you recommend going to Horseshoe Bend after the Canyon tour?
Hi Patti and thank you for visiting our site.
It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Sedona to Page, wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the drive is quite scenic, and you’ll no doubt be making a few stops. Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments are right on your way and should not be missed. The two areas are close to one another and connected by a convenient loop drive. The Cameron Trading Post is another cool stop, if not for a quick leg stretch/bathroom break, then for brunch in the restaurant and a little shopping beforehand and/or afterwards.
Depending on your timing and the parking situation, you can hit Horseshoe Bend either before or after your Antelope Canyon tour. At the time of year you’re visiting, however, it will still be busy. Whether or not the parking problems discussed in this article will “spill over” into autumn remains to be seen, but if they do, be prepared to enlist some of the alternate means of getting there that we mentioned, such as the shuttle service offered by Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. Better yet, instead of driving all the way back to Sedona, spend the night in Page, AZ, so you can visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, when it’s least crowded. If you’re not locked into your hotel reservations in Sedona, that slight change of plans is definitely worth considering.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi!
If there is any possibility to get tickets for the upper Antelope canyon sightseeing, when will we arrive in the morning?
September 28
Hi Kaspars,
Advance reservations are strongly recommended for Antelope Canyon. If you have not already made them, there’s a strong possibility that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out already. If that is the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but far less crowded.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
What are good trails or canyons to bring dogs? I’ve seen photos of them but no location names, hurray for Instagram (dripping with sarcasm, it’s probably the reason why Antelope and Horse Shoe are so crowded…all for that Instagrammable photo) The legend is you can swim up to the back side of the Antelope Canyon and bring your pups along. Is this legend true? I live in Prescott so I’m a local adventurer.
Happy Adventuring!
Chicky
Hi Chicky,
Dogs are welcome on many trails around Lake Powell, as long as they are leashed and/or under your control, they have adequate water and food for the hike, and that you pick up after them as needed.
For example, they can be brought to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook anytime, but keep in mind the overlook is largely unfenced, and it’s a 700′ drop to the river. You can also bring dogs on many trails in the Paria Canyon area, such as Wire Pass, Buckskin Gulch, and the White House Trail. Dogs may also accompany their people to Coyote Buttes North and South, but a permit is required for the “humans” first. How To Get A Wave Permit
Many easy day hikes in the Lake Powell area are dog-friendly, including The Chains, the Hanging Gardens and the “New” Wave.
Antelope Canyon is a “certified service dogs only” area. As for swimming to the back side of Antelope Canyon, I’ve never heard of that being done, personally, but kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding is another matter. There are several outfitters in town who rent the equipment you would need, or could take you on a guided tour. We recommend Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Planning a trip for first week of November. What should we expect for weather conditions, temperatures?
Hi Sandy!
You’ll find most days in November to be sunny but brisk, however, that time of year is also when the first winter storm of the season might roll in. That typically implies snow for the higher elevations, such as Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, cloudy skies and rain for those at lower altitudes, such as Page, AZ. Pack a few items of warmer clothing, just in case and start monitoring Page, AZ weather about 2 weeks before start your trip.
Be sure to book all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival as well.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I will be in Monument Valley on Nov 8 after a week of photographing various locations in southern Utah. I was planning to leave on the 9th to drive back home (Kansas City, MO). A friend suggested I take a day or two in Page and check out area since I would only be couple of hours away. So I’m considering it. I think I will try to get to Horseshoe Bend, and maybe Antelope Canyon. Not sure if I’m going to be car-camping or staying in some more traditional lodging. Is there anything special I need to plan for while there that time of year?
Hi Mike and thank you for your visit and inquiries.
Your friend was right to suggest you take some time to explore Page, AZ, this area has a lot to offer!
First off, it takes ~2 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page. Since Antelope Canyon would be right on your way into town, it makes the most sense to hit that attraction first. You would need to decide whether to tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon (Lower = longer and more physical w/steps and ladders to manage; Upper = easy, 100 yards, flat the whole way), then make an advance reservation for a Navajo-guided tour.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is open 24/7, so you can visit it whenever you wish. However, keep in mind that parking has become a huge mess this season (as you’ve hopefully seen on the article you commented on), and there’s no telling if these troubles may carry over into the time of your visit. Keep some alternate means to get to the overlook in the back of your mind, and be prepared to use them in the event the parking lot is full.
Regarding car-camping, you might want to rethink that as well. Nighttime temperatures are getting quite cold at that time of year, even in Page, AZ. Annual climate averages indicate overnight lows sometimes dipping down into the 30’s. You’ll need to pack a good sleeping bag and maybe some of those little pocket hand-warmers if you have your heart set on camping. Start monitoring Page, AZ weather about 2 weeks before you hit the road. That will give you the best idea of what to expect. If you decide to go the hotel route, you’ll find choices from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between in terms of amenities and prices. Page. AZ Hotels If you opt for camping, you’ll find several options available for that as well. Page, AZ RV Parks & Campgrounds One site not listed in that article is the “New” Wave, located just across the highway from the South entrance to the Lake Powell Resort complex. No amenities of any kind, but some neat rock formations to poke around in. It has emerged of late as a popular car-camping spot.
As for “anything special you need to plan for,” hopefully you’ve deduced by now that colder weather is the main contingency to anticipate. But you shouldn’t let it affect your decision to visit Page and enjoy its many sights and activities. One of the “fringe benefits” is that crowds are thinning out, so not as many people to contend with on various tours, trails, etc.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
I’m living at Las Vegas and would like to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon after August. Is it good time/weather to visit there? The Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon is nearby? Is there any campground there? I want to go with my husband and 3yrs old son, is it good for kid? If there is no campgrand, any places for staying there or we should do one day trip?
Thanks!
Hi Esther,
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are located near the town of Page, Arizona, which is about a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas. The best way to see these attractions is to drive to Page, AZ and spend a night or two. As for weather, it’s still warm in September, and prone to occasional rainstorms. October boasts much cooler and more stable weather. If you have a choice of when to visit, that’s the time I’d recommend.
There are campgrounds in the area, both improved and unimproved. The best spot IMO is the Lake Powell Campground, located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Regarding the question of whether Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are good for kids, they are, but definitely require vigilance on your part. For example, Horseshoe Bend Overlook is mostly unfenced, and it’s a 700′ drop to the river. Your child should not be let out of your sight near the edge. For Antelope Canyon, you’ll probably want to tour Upper Antelope Canyon since Lower might be a bit too much for a 3-year-old. Baby backpack carriers are allowed, but you have to navigate some ladders and stairs with them. Whichever you decide, you need to book your tour in advance. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello Alley,
Firstly, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your perfect well-detailed replies. I have planned my trip depending on others’ questions and your recommendations.
I’ll be grateful if you check my itinerary and let me know if there any comments. (Me and my friend, 22 years old, here for summer vacation) regarding that we will start on 16th and we need to be in NYC on 26th (the date of international flight back home)
let’s start:
Flying direct from NYC to Las Vegas on Sunday 16th September and arriving at 9 AM. Renting a car and heading to Grand canyon.
– 16th September:
Spending the day at Grand Canyon South Rim
– 17th September Early morning:
Heading to —> Page, Arizona (3.5 : 4 hours drive) inspired by your comments :’D
On our way ( along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the South Rim, we may stop at the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand, the Cameron Trading Post and Painted Desert Formations.)
The main two attractions we want to see are: (I need your help! where to go first ?)
* Horseshoe Bend (2 hours)
* Lower Antelope Canyon (1 hour and 30 minutes) 40$ I think
* Double Kayaking (4 hours ? somewhere, may be Lake Powell tours ?)
Then,
I have questions here. Will the annual pass work in these places ? and is it enough to get one for both us as mentioned here ( https://store.usgs.gov/pass ).
– 5-hour drive back to Las Vegas! (better not to drive at night I know :’D so should we sleep somewhere on the road to be closer or what do you recommend)
– 18th September:
One day in Las Vegas (I think is enough)
– 19th Early morning:
Heading to San Diego 5-6 hours drive (Spending 19 & 20)
– 20th night or 21st early morning:
Heading to LA 2-3 hours driving
– 21st : 23rd:
Staying at LA
– 23rd night or 24th morning:
Heading to SF and staying there until 26th.
– 26th at 2 PM flying back to NYC.
I didn’t book anything after knowing about this website and reading your comments, I’ll be waiting for your confirmation to PROCEED! ^_^
Again, thank you again for your help and the tremendous effort you are putting to help us.
Have a great weekend!
Hello Alaa,
First off, apologies for the delay in reply. I was unable to attend to correspondence until today.
There are some adjustments I’d recommend making to your itinerary as follows:
On the 16th, the day you fly into Las Vegas, you might want to spend the night just to “decompress” from a 5.5 hour redeye flight, and jet lag. I don’t know how well you sleep on planes, but I never do.
On the 17th, it looks as though you’re planning to drive from Grand Canyon to Page, do a couple of tours, then drive to Las Vegas that same day? If that is what you’re thinking, PLEASE DON’T. It will take you approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, factoring in the stops. Then, you’re proposing to do 3 activities that will take a good chunk of your day, then face a 5 hour drive back to Las Vegas. That’s way too much time on the road to call this a “vacation.” I would strongly recommend overnighting in Page, AZ if you want to do some kind of water-based activity. If you absolutely have to get back to Las Vegas (or close to it), you won’t have time to do a kayak or water-based activity, so cross that off the list. Maybe think about driving from Page, AZ to Springdale, UT via Zion National Park, stay overnight in Springdale, then drive to las Vegas that morning. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Springdale, UT to Las Vegas, NV, longer if you make a detour through Valley of Fire State Park.
As to what attractions to hit first on the drive in to Page, AZ, Horseshoe Bend is ~5 miles South of town, but parking is very difficult during peak travel season, as you’ve hopefully seen from the article you’ve commented on. You might want to book an Antelope Canyon tour first , then go into town and take a shuttle to Horseshoe Bend.
As to where your America The Beautiful Pass will work, it won’t work at Antelope Canyon since that is a Native American Tribal Park. It will work at Grand Canyon National Park, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, as well as Zion National Park. The pass is also ineffective at State Parks, so if you take us up on the Valley of Fire detour, it won’t help you there.
Be sure to pre-book hotel accommodations at every stop on your tour, as well as your Antelope Canyon tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hey there!
I know your trip is coming up soon and not sure how flexible you are but thought I’d tell you about my experience from the summer. I did a similar trip to yours but not including page or San Diego.
First off, our drive to the Grand Canyon south rim took us a little over 4 hours from Vegas. It says less online but that’s not factoring finding your way out of the city and the traffic you can get stuck in. We had left at midnight to be there for sunrise and only just made it in time doing 100mph at some stages. Extremely stressful drive and definitely would not recommend it! So allow maybe 5-6 hours for the drive if you’re leaving at 9.
Second, of course everyone is different but in my opinion 1 day is definitely not enough in Vegas. There is soooooo much to see and do there. Also it is a big place and everything is quite spread out so getting from one attraction to the next takes much longer than you would expect. However if you just plan to stay in the hotel, gamble a bit, use the pool and have dinner at night then yes one day would be fine.
We did not travel from Vegas to SD but straight to LA. First tip, make sure you are staying somewhere close to the city center. We knew we were not so had allowed time for travelling in and out. But it did take us a minimum of an hour to get in and out of the city. Traffic is HORRENDOUS! LA is also huge so the key is to be organised and know exactly where you’re going/how you’re getting there.
The drive to SF- look into it as this may have changed. If you want to drive up the coast part of it had been closed off for quite some time due to damage from mud slides when we were there. We still wanted to drive the coastal road so drove inland for a bit then took a small road over to the coast. It was a beautiful drive but would not recommend it as with a few stops for pics and refreshments we drove for around 12 hours that day. We found SF much easier to get around so I’d say you’re good there. In total we had 1 week in Vegas (including a day to the Grand Canyon) 3 nights in LA and 4 in San Francisco. The second week was too rushed and so stressful it was hard to really enjoy it. Remember as well you will be tired from all the driving and early mornings.
My recommendation, if possible, is cut one of the cities out. You want to spend time exploring the cities rather than rushing in and out of them and spending most of your time travelling in between them.
I don’t know if this has been at all helpful but I know after my experiences this year there are a few things looking back that I’d have done a bit differently to enjoy it more and if anybody else’s holiday can be improved from reading my ramblings then that’s great!
Joanne,
Thank you SO MUCH for your sharing your personal experiences with prospective travelers to our area! We’re confident Alaa will find much usable advice from your first-hand observations. Thank you again, and if you have a minute, check out our companion sites, http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ and http://www.TheWaveAZ.com.
Take care and happy traveling,
Alley 🙂
A friend of mine said that you have to pay, since it is a private property. If this is true, how juch does it cost per person or group? Thanks
Hi Carlos,
Great question!
Horseshoe Bend is actually on National Park land, namely, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. At the present time, if you go there in your own vehicle, you do not have to pay an entrance fee. However, since parking can be so difficult to come by during the mid-day hours, we recommend you consider going by some other means, such as the hourly shuttle from Page, AZ offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours, or the other tours discussed in this article.
If you wish to go on your own, then sunrise is the best time for avoiding the crowds, and hot summertime temperatures.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We’re planning on going May of 2019. Any insight on what weather/temperatures to expect and crowds? Thanks!
Hi Megan and thank you for your inquiry!
In May, weather conditions can run the gamut from brisk to balmy. It depends largely on where you go, and what altitude you’re at. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon, for example, is 7,000′ above sea level and average daytime temperatures in May range from the high 60’s to mid 70’s, with nights dipping down into the 40’s. In Page (where Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon at), you’re at a much lower altitude – about 4,300′ ASL – therefore, temperatures will be much warmer: daytime highs run into the 80’s and possibly clip the low 90’s, overnight overnight lows remain cool-ish in the 50’s.
Since May is still technically in the transitional period between spring and summer, you may run into a stray rainstorm, but these usually don’t produce the volume of moisture that summer monsoonal storms do.
To best gauge how to pack, start monitoring Grand Canyon area weather about 2 weeks before you travel.
As for crowds, they’ll definitely be there. Peak travel season is well underway by May.
Good luck, safe travels, and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂
What time does the horseshoe bend park open? Does the shuttle mentioned above cost anything, and where is the office located? Also, anyone know when the park for antelope canyon opens?
Hi Jaime!
Horseshoe Bend Overlook is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you may visit it whenever you wish. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing so at night, unless it’s a full moon. It’s a 700′ drop to the river. The shuttle service offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours costs $30/adult, $20/child. The tour company’s office is located at the corner of US89 and S. Lake Powell Boulevard, caddy-corner across the street from McDonald’s.
As for the opening time for Antelope Canyon, it depends on the time of year. During the summer months, when daylength is long, tours begin running as early as 6:00 AM. Later on, they’ll start running a bit later. That consideration is almost moot, however, since you are required to visit Antelope Canyon with an authorized tour guide. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
hi ! have address? how to get there?
Hi Julia,
Driving from Grand Canyon South Rim, take AZ64 East to Cameron, AZ. Then head North on US89 following the signs to Page, AZ.
A few miles South of Page, AZ, look for mile marker 545, and there you’ll find the parking lot for Horseshoe Bend.
If you’re coming from Zion National Park or points North, you’ll need to get on US89 heading South at some point, pass the town of Page, AZ, then look for the parking lot to Horseshoe Bend. It’s clearly signed, and there are always a lot of cars there during they day, so you should have no trouble finding it.
How To Get To Horseshoe Bend
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Me and my wife would love to do a road trips on those places like horses shoe bend, monument valley and Sedona by next week and we are from Yuma, any suggestions and tips?
Hey Alan,
So have you been to the Grand Canyon yet? If not, it should take priority over all the attractions you listed. If you’ve already been there, then, the order in which you tour these attractions depends on your preference for doing the longer drive at the beginning of your trip, or the end.
The drive from Yuma, AZ to Page, AZ takes approximately 7 hours. If you don’t relish the prospect of doing that long a drive, then you might hit Sedona first. At 4.5 hours, it is still a long-ish drive from Yuma, so you should get an early start on it, and plan on spending at least 2-3 days in the area.
In Page, activities you should definitely plan on doing are visiting the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, touring Antelope Canyon, and time/inclination permitting, the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip. If you do not care to do the float trip or any water-based activities, you can get by with 1 night in Page. If you want to do the float trip, or perhaps a Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, then plan on staying 2 nights. Whatever you decide, do book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance of your arrival.
The trip from Page, AZ to Monument Valley takes approximately 2 hours. Remember there’s a time difference between one place and the other: Page, AZ observes Mountain Standard Time, but Monument Valley is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, so you’ll “lose” an hour traveling between Page, AZ and Monument Valley, or “gain” an hour if you opt to visit Monument Valley before Page. Stay 1 night in Monument Valley so you can take a guided tour through the back-country. Hotels in the immediate vicinity are probably booked, so you’ll most likely have to stay in Kayenta, AZ or Tuba City, AZ.
Since the drive back to Yuma from Monument Valley is also a long one – ~8 hours – here again, you might consider breaking up the drive with a stay in Wickenburg, AZ or Payson, AZ. Map below:
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to book all overnight accommodations and guided tours before you hit the road.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂