The colors of sandstone turn from a sun-washed yellow to cool and soft oranges and pinks as the sun is setting. Directions from Page. There were no screaming Chinese tour groups like there were at sunset, although 2 buses full poured in as soon as we were leaving. How Long Does It Take To Hike Horseshoe Bend? In the morning, you have way fewer people there. At or just before sunset, the sun will be in your eyes and the . Thanks to their proximity, you will find many tours that offer outings to both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon thanks to their close proximity. Horseshoe Bend Trail. The best time of day to visit Horseshoe Bend is up for debate. As long as youre well prepared, its an easy hike even for kids. For most photographers, this is the time of day to shoot the canyon. The overlook, where one can view the bend from is 4200 feet above sea level while the river is 3200 feet above sea level. I think it would have been a challenge anyways. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. And thank you for visiting our site! Also, the sand gets very hot in the summer so wear closed-toed shoes and dont wear sandals. See how much higher above the fence level we could go? Best time of year to visit Horseshoe Bend The hottest time of year in Page AZ is June, July, and August when average daytime temperatures reach the 90's (mid-30's Celsius). Our old travel tripod was flimsy and didnt extend past the top of the overlook barrier. Best Western is close to many of Pages restaurants and its higher elevation is complimented by a first floor terrace featuring views over Glen Canyon Rim. Where Is Horseshoe Bend Located? More people arrive between 9-10 AM. Its only a 15-minute drive from Wawheap Marina and Antelope Point Marina, so if youre visiting Lake Powell its easy to make a quick detour to hike to Horseshoe Bend. The very best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona is sunrise or sunset on a weekday in Spring or Fall when you will benefit from the best weather and hiking conditions, pick up a hotel room at a good price and enjoy a relatively crowd free hike. At the intersection with Highway 89, turn left and drive 2 miles and you will arrive at the Horseshoe Bend parking lot. Any later, and the bend will be partially covered in the shade. Crazy, right? However, you have a number of obstacles to overcome. The morning rush crowds wont begin to arrive until at least an hour after sunrise, which means you can access every area around the overlook easily. In any case, check with the Waterholes Canyon tourist agency before embarking on this hike. That is why we love Get Your Guide! Once youve parked your car and read the signs, youll understand that youll have put in some effort to get to Horseshoe Bend. But this is the time to relax after a crowded sunset, pull out your hot chocolate and extra hoodie, wait for the Milky Way to dazzle and fire the camera back up. At the point where the Colorado River meets the mouth of Waterholes Canyon, there is a curve in the river quite similar to Horseshoe Bend, but it is less curvy. Horseshoe Bend is one of many geological formations near Page, Arizona. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer. We talked about it in this article. The colorado bend is created by a meander in the river. Sunrise is the best time to watch Glen Canyon at Horseshoe Bend glow, as the sun will be rising at your back. Spending the night in Page makes life much easier for a sunrise or sunset hike to Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend Hike is a 1.5 mile hike loop. Do not underestimate the need for water! Hi! The hike itself is not hard, it is the heat that will kill you. It's best viewed mid day to early afternoon." How deep is the water at Horseshoe Bend? Between you and the sun are Horseshoe Bend in the immediate foreground and a spectacular flat table-top expanse of rock as far as the horizon, covering your middle-ground and background view. Sunset is especially popular because the sun sets directly behind the bend and like I said earlier, Arizona has some spectacular sunsets. That site will give you a good idea of the photo outcomes based on the time of day. The trail that leads from the parking lot to the overlook is 0.7 miles / 1.12 km (1.5 miles / 2.4 km roundtrip). Horseshoe Bend hike at a glance. Sunset photo taken around 1 hour before the sun set and light beams flooding in from the left side. The entrance fee is $30, however, it's covered under all the Interagency Passes. This allows you to get married at the location & take photos. Owl Canyon - A short 10-minute drive (9 kilometre) from Horseshoe Bend, Owl Canyon is another beautiful hiking region in Arizona. What we can tell you is taking photos of Horseshoe Bend at both sunrise and sunset is among the best things to do in Arizona. Hanging Garden Trailhead - A short 8-minute drive (7,5 kilometres) from Horseshoe Bend, this 1-kilometre loop trail. Where is Horseshoe Bend? Your return trek is uphill. Lake Powell: An amazing lake with endless water activities to enjoy 3. Even worse, at sunset, the bend will be in shadow and the sun will be streaming into your eyes. One final thing dont forget to cheer with everyone as the sun sets on the distant horizon! All the articles on this site are distributed with Creative Commons License. I have been researching trying to figure out the best time for shooting. Youll need to get creative unless you have a tripod with center column reaching high over the barrier to angle down and a wide angle lens (12-24mm). The trail to Horseshoe Bend was recently rebuilt, and fees are now required to hike along this extremely popular trail. The result of water, time and eroding sandstone is a unique postcard-perfect horseshoe shaped canyon with 1,000 ft high cliffs, a man-made viewing terrace and spectacular sunrise or sunset scene to boot. Mid-day This is usually not a good time for photography but at Horseshoe Bend it actually works fairly well. Directions to staging: After Avimore traffic light, after red barn and rodeo grounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Safety reminders on the trail The Trail to Horseshoe Bend. After a life changing and far reaching 18 month honeymoon, we put our careers on hold to do what we love most - help you to travel, hike and photograph your bucket list destinations around the world. This is the perfect time to avoid heavy crowds. Amount of water recommended - 1 liter Also, by the time the glow hit the ground, a lot of the colour disappeared from the sky. Note: If you dont want to stay in a hotel, there are several NPS, private and primitive campgrounds in Glen Canyon recreational area. Not only will this be cooler, but it is also when the Horseshoe down below isn't obscured by shade. We have compared sunrise vs sunset in this guide, but you could also choose to visit during the middle of the day. Visiting Horseshoe Bend between 11am-4pm means you are likely to avoid the worst of the crowds but if the sun is out and there are no clouds, you will see significant shadows inside the U shaped bend. Autumn is the perfect time to explore any one of our five favorite fall hiking trails. Horseshoe Bend is an area of the Colorado River where the river meanders and makes nearly a 180-degree turn. It is said that this natural land bridge stands the tallest in the world. Its open from sunrise to sunset. Lets take a quick look at the best seasons to visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona based on high, low and average annual temperatures in Page. You cant go wrong trying to hike to Horseshoe Bend any time of year. Trail - Sand and . The Horseshoe Bend hike is approximately 1.3 miles round trip in length from the parking lot to the end of the trail (about 0.6 miles each way). You can kayak, paddleboard, or ride a boat up and down the Colorado River. Also, try shooting with a wide angle lens. The first time we visited Horseshoe Bend for sunset, we had an entry level Sony a-6000 and Sigma 16mm f1.4 (24mm for crop). Because of the nearby Lake Powell, the busy season lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the water is warm. The GPS Coordinates to the parking lot are 36.877, -111.5 and thats basically right on route 89 just south of Page. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, you may wish to visit the Horseshoe Bend trail between the months of October and February. Horseshoe Bend Hike is a 1.5 mile hike loop. Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel. In fact, when I visited the bend there were people lining the canyon cliff across the entire brim. Details. There are a lot of beautiful places around the southwest that, as you experienced, are just way too darn crowded most of the time unfortunately. The point where the hike starts is here, and the trail will run all the way along the south side of Waterholes Canyon to the precipice. The busiest periods at Horseshoe Bend are 4.30pm 6.30pm for sunset, but also 9.00am 11.00am in mid morning. . The overlook area will be quiet enough for you to set up your tripod anywhere you like, whether that be in the fenced area or on a boulder to either side. Reservations are accepted. The horseshoe bend is facing west, which makes it a perfect spot to view sunsets, and they are spectacular! The best tip I can give is just to be aware of the different times of day and how it will affect your shot. You will see the river bend that looks just like a horseshoe that has been molded by the Colorado River. However, the cliff walls are entirely shaded. 0 . We can confidently say the negatives at Horseshoe Bend did not outweigh its beauty and we highly recommend sunset as one of the best times to hike the short trail. 2. If yes, plan to visit at sunrise or sunset when light is the best. Over the last five million years, the Colorado River carved this horseshoe-shaped bend into the sandstone walls of Glen Canyon. Tip: Our hugely popular guide on booking cheap hotels might help you save money on your trip to Arizona. Theres no doubt about it. In Utah and Arizona there are a few different but equally breathtaking viewpoints: Dead Horse Point State Park, Goosenecks State Park and other bends or goosenecks (theres one in Capitol Reef too). How do you get there? When youve passed Glen Canyon Dam, continue south for 5 miles and stay on the main road without entering Page. The busiest time to visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook is between 9 am and 6 pm. Since 2014, the places popularity grew so much that due to the huge crowds and the resulting risks I mentioned above it became necessary to impose safety measures, expand the parking lot, build a Visitor Center and pave the trail that connects the parking lot to the edge of the canyon. These times will give you a nice clear view of Horseshoe and the Colorado River's brilliant color as it snakes around the rock formations. The good thing too is that a half-day rafting trip is enough to experience it. At or just before sunset, the sun will be in your eyes and the bend will be in shadow. I wanted to capture some of the early suns glow on the mountains in the background of the bend. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. My only regret after leaving Page was that I didn't hike all the way round to the centre of Horseshoe . The other issue is the strong back light can create all sort of lens flare. The parking lot is huge with plenty of spaces to accommodate tourists. There are no places you can park along highway 89 and walk into the lot. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. What time of day do you think is best for visiting? One of the closest hotels to Horseshoe Bend is also one of the most highly rated in Page, AZ. After having seen so many different photos of Horseshoe Bend that showed different lighting, I knew I wanted to pick a time of day to visit that showed the rocks and river in the best lighting. Depending on if you like crowds or not, the best time to go to horseshoe bend is early morning. try to avoid the mid day hours (10:00-5:00) between Late May and mid September. While it is 1.3 miles round trip, it is now a paved path. The entrance fee for cars is currently $10 and national park passes are not accepted. The 'bend and river are in shadow at other times. It's best viewed mid day to early afternoon." Ive been a fan of landscape photography for a long time and remember seeing some incredible photos of the snaking Colorado River well before I even knew it was a place called Horseshoe Bend. The hike itself is not hard, it is the heat that will kill you. We hope this guide to sunrise and sunset helped you plan your hike to Horseshoe Bend in Arizona! From Horseshoe Bend overlook, you are looking directly West at the bend and sun. "Horseshoe Bend is best viewed late morning or mid day. Horseshoe Bend is an extraordinarily striking 270 degree U-shaped meander in the mighty Colorado River, close to the Northern Arizona border and wildly popularUtah Mighty 5 National Parks. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit to capture the beautiful golden light. there are several NPS, private and primitive campgrounds in Glen Canyon recreational area. Is There an Alternative That is Less Crowded? That depends! Its also paved, so its wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. The best time to photograph Horseshoe Bend is from late morning to early afternoon, because the sun is high and illuminates both the river and the rock. Well, we revisited Horseshoe Bend on our second road trip through Arizona in December 2021, and this time our hike was specifically for sunrise photography in order to draw a sunrise vs sunset comparison. You dont have to wake up early and you can time a sunset visit around dinner in nearby Page. Well, its not quite assimple as you might imagine to capture those images. A gravel . Trailhead:Follow the Lees Ferry access road 5.8 miles (9.3 km) to the boat launch. You have to wake up early and may miss breakfast included with your hotel stay in Page. Then you will take a 20-minute walk before you can enjoy the view of Horseshoe Bend. Level Contributor. It was tough going with deep sand and not accessible. If you're staying in Vegas, one of the best day trips from Las Vegas is visiting Horseshoe Bend. It is just 10 miles away from Antelope Canyon. Tours operate 365 days a year. Youll be pleased to hear there are a dozen or so highly rated hotels offering great rooms for exceptional value in Page. If you want to see two iconic sites in one trip, a day tour from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is the way to go.This small-group tour starts in the early morning as you depart from the Vegas Strip in a luxury bus.Take a brief pitstop in Mesquite, NV, or Hurricane, UT, before continuing . Heres how to capture the full scene as in the photo above (without a wide angle lens): Youll be amazed at how quickly hundreds of people fizzle out to a handful once the sun turns in for the night. Crowd Factor: Moderate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! What is the best time to go to Horseshoe Bend? If you come during peak hour, the parking lot might be full. The best time to photograph Horseshoe Bend is from late morning to early afternoon, when the sun is high and illuminates both the river and the rock. At sunrise, the bend will be in shadow. Its not easy at all, because there is no road that is commonly traveled and the hike is much longer and harder than Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend sits on land that belongs to the Navajo Nation and is managed by the City of Page. Actually, that prompts a question. National Park Service passes do not apply . Route Type. However, when youre there, you wont be able to resist the temptation to look at this natural wonder from multiple angles. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Hotels Near Horseshoe Bend: Where to Stay in Page? These slot canyons are found on Navajo land and can only be accessed by a guided tour. Tour Features. You will first climb a fairly steep, sandy hill and then traverse a more moderate decline to the canyon's edge. Mesa Arch in Canyonlands is one exception to the rule, but almost always sunrise is less stressful. During our first visit in 2019, we walked from the parking lot directly over that very sand dune to reach the overlook (pictured above). Free pickup on the Vegas Strip. The key for photography is to stay for 30 minutes. This means you still have a lot of time to explore other interesting sights nearby. The Horseshoe Bend Hike - Hike to Horseshoe Bend. Accept Privacy Policy, Best Time to Avoid the Crowds at Horseshoe Bend, https://cityofpage.org/official-horseshoe-bend-information, Epic Beach Camping at Lake Powell You Cant Miss, 10 Amazing Things to do in Saguaro National Park, Astonishing Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park, Ultimate Guide to Things to do at Gateway Arch with Kids, 6 Wondrous Joshua Tree National Park Day Trip Ideas, 5 Best National Parks for Kids [picked by kids], Devils Hall Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains You Cant Miss, Lost Mine Trail Big Bend Complete Hiking Guide, Balanced Rock Big Bend Dare to Stand Under, Santa Elena Canyon Hike that Cant be Skipped in Big Bend, Ernst Tinaja Trail an Off-Road Adventure in Big Bend, Complete Hiking Guide for Canyon Overlook Zions Hidden Gem, Your Sneak Peek of the Best Mammoth Cave Tours, Your Ultimate Guide for Collecting National Park Junior Ranger Badges, Michigans Legendary M-22 Scenic Drive That Will Ignite Your Senses, The Most Charming Michigan Beach Towns You Cant Miss, Horseshoe Bend, 1001 Page Parkway, AZ 86040, Visit early in the morning or later in the evening, Take water for everyone Youre hiking in the desert. If you dont have an ultra-wide lens, youll likely need to create a stitch and merge them together in post editing. In addition, there is an interesting package deal that includes a one-day visit to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The dawn images have nice colour to them, but they are lacking that wow factor, I think. So the fees that you pay for parking at the overlook trail go to the city. If youre planning your road trip to Arizona, draw a nice red circle on the map around Page. The crucial part is to have a wide-angle lens. As long your kids are the kind of kids that will listen to you, stay near you, and stay behind the fence without wandering to the edge of the cliff, then yes. Lets dig a little deeper and start with the positives. The trail from the parking lot is only about .6 miles so 1.2 miles round trip. And the truth is, the tourists arent that big of a deal because they come and go and you can slide into their spot for your photos. Of course, the classic wide angle image is cool. Horseshoe Bend Hike and Overlook. There were no exposure issues or need for filters, you could really just shoot it. If youre lucky enough to have clouds in the sky, you might be able to shoot some stunning photographs at sunrise. Here, you can select or de-select the checkmarks to hide or show layers. The 'bend and river are in shadow at other times. This is when serious photographers go. Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon with Horseshoe Bend are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Horseshoe Bend itself is in the park, but the parking lot is on city land. However, it's not for everyone. Another geological phenomenon in Page is Antelope Canyon. Best time of year to visit. All 7 photos. But is there really an alternative? Horseshoe Bend is magical and is one of the most sought-after sites for travelers. Dont forget you can look at more of our USA travel guides to help plan your next trip! The Horseshoe Bend is made up of three rock layers: the bottom is a layer of Kaibab Limestone, the middle is a layer of Coconino Sandstone, and the top is a layer of Hermit Shale. More information can be found on the national park service website. Lake Powell is a large reservoir lake that lies on the border of Utah and Arizona. That is up to you and your lighting preferences. Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend might be the quieter time of day to visit, but what about photography? Just like when comparing sunrise and sunset at Grand Canyon South Rim, we personally preferred sunrise at Horseshoe Bend because it was so much quieter. The small town of Page doesnt emit very much light so the sky isnt polluted, plus the sand dune behind you blocks a lot of the light anyway. If so, you can just park right along highway 89 and walk in from there. I tried to combat the problem by blocking out the sun with my finger, but still didnt have much luck. The light and colors arent as attractive when compared to sunset. We're Mark and Kristen Morgan, two adventure seeking scientists raised on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Many people venture out beyond the fenced overlook for the gram but exercise extreme caution if you do. The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend is in the early morning, around 8 AM. Get to know this 1.5-mile out-and-back trail near Page, Arizona. Subscribe to my Travel Photography YouTube Channel. Rated 4.0 /5 based on 1 reviews 4.0/5 based on 1 reviews Save. With that said, they have recently used the funds to update the fee stations, parking lot, and trail. . If your goal is good pictures, the time before sunset is best. Given the choice of perfect photography conditions at sunrise or sunset at most popular location we would almost exclusively choose sunrise. Looking forward to following you on the rest of your trip through the states. Hike along a glacier fed river which cuts through old growth forest on this simple, straightforward hike near the Mount Baker area. Baymont is located close to Glen Canyon Dam Overlook just a few minutes drive from the restaurants in town. . A couple hours is all you need to take in Horseshoe Bend. That said, my experience at Horseshoe Bend was far better at dawn and then sunrise than it was at sunset. But the busiest time is between 9 -11 am and 4.30 - 6.30 pm. Your email address will not be published. Each of these tour options below combines two or more must-see natural wonders (keep reading to find out what they are), so you get to see what you want without the stress of planning the perfect trip. . Horseshoe Bend is one of those places that looks good at all times of day depending on the weather. I hope I can see this landscape with my own eyes one day. SwimFan2012. Horseshoe Bend has become wildly popular and particularly at sunset. Midday is a surprisingly good time to photograph Horseshoe Bend because the position of the sun high in the sky creates fewer shadows inside the canyon. You will have no problems getting parked for sunrise at Horseshoe Bend during any month of the year. I cant imaging being able to shoot a lens that didnt go that wide and capturing the whole bend and canyon. And, I suppose, a lot of that comes down to personal preference. Hiking at Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. Horseshoe Bend Overlook is open 24 hours a day all year round. The hike is short but in the summer months the heat is grueling and the uphill climbs can be difficult, so it is a good idea to bring lots of water. It sits right on a golf course with a view of Lake Powell. The Colorado River flows through the Horseshoe Bend from east to west. Visiting Horseshoe Bend: a natural wonder near Page, Arizona. Boats rentals are located in Page and at Lee's Ferry. On TripAdvisor, ConnieB, Destination Expert for Utah writes: "Horseshoe Bend is best viewed late morning or mid day. Youll see our old tripod with beginner camera gear struggling to reach over the fenced overlook, so we couldnt get the correct angle of the river bend. To view this map on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click Menu, click Your Places, click Maps, and you will find it there. Remember head torches if you do stay for stars, the walk back to your car is unlit. That will give you plenty of time to hike down, relax, setup a picnic, explore the cliffs, and enjoy the view. The campsites start at $30 per night and have showers, WiFi, and laundry facilities. If you would like to ride the boat too, just jump in your car and turn around and head to the aforementioned Glen Canyon Dam a few miles away. Watch how quickly everyone thins out and misses the best colors in the sky with no shadows inside Horseshoe Bend. But would you believe me if I told you that a few miles from Horseshoe Bend there is another bend that is quite similar, not so beautiful perhaps, but totally untouched and unknown? For many years, it was a local hidden gem. Save Review Directions Add Photo. Added by Tiffany Nguyen. The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is not accessible by car. At the bend itself, you can scatter about quite a bit so the crowds arent as bad as they first might seem. There was no charge for parking or admission. Until a few years ago, Horseshoe Bend was virtually untouched. Heres a roundup of the top rated restaurants in Page Arizona for you to consider: Are you looking for the best hotels in Page Arizona? Admission to the park is free, but you pay for parking (managed by the town of Page), which is mandatory, unless you have the crazy idea to walk about 6 miles from Page along the road! If you can manage to get into The Wave, do that the next time youre in the area. Visiting the spectacular Horseshoe Bend in Arizona is the dream of many a scrolling Instagrammer, and it's not hard to understand why once you see the photos, too. Its relatively affordable but the best part is you can frequently book a room for less than 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, meaning when you sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy credit card you can get 3 free nights! I got a tonne, and it didnt help that I dont have a reverse ND filter. Williams, Arizona. Cars and RVs/campers are $10. It's more of a stroll along a dirt path over a ridge and then down to the edge of the view. This majestic beauty also has a devastatingly dark side to it. Out-and-Back. It's famous view is an overlook 4,200 feet above seal level and 1,000 feet above the Colorado River. However, the new hard path means everyone is able to appreciate the awe inspiring Horseshoe Bend view. Distances and drive times to Horseshoe Bend from nearby cities and landmarks include: The nearest airports to Horseshoe Bend are: If you are flying into the region, our top recommendation is to search for flights using the awesome Skyscanner search engineand hire a car with Rental Cars for best prices and most options.
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