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Horseshoe Bend is an incredible natural feature on the Colorado River. It’s located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona, about five miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam.
Visiting
The parking situation could be ridiculous once you get there. It was so packed, we had to drive around the lot for a while before a spot opened up. (Note: an expanded parking lot opened in April 2019). Parking was free when we visited, but it’s now US$10 per six passenger vehicles and US$35 for 6-14 passenger vehicles (as of August 2023). There are bathrooms at the site.
Viewpoint
The viewpoint is accessible via a 1 ½ mile round-trip hike from the parking lot. Once you arrive, the scene is breathtaking.
You have to be very careful because the viewpoint sits at the edge of a 1,000 foot cliff. There are no fences or barriers to prevent anyone from falling. I got a little nervous when people approached the edge, especially when they wanted to take selfies. When they got closer on their bellies, I still got nervous but not as bad.
Suggestions
Horseshoe Bend is a great place to visit combined with a stop at Glen Canyon Dam and perhaps a cruise through Antelope Canyon.
