can you go to horseshoe bend without a tour

Tours offer a whole different perspective on a place. Visiting Horseshoe Bend On a TourĬan you visit horseshoe bend without a tour? Of course you can, but the question is if you want to. From there, just head out onto the trailhead that leads to the overlook point for your out-of-this-world experience, and head back once you’re done. Travel on HWY 89 to marker 545, and you won’t be able to miss it. Once you get to Page, Arizona, there’s a designated parking lot for visitors to Horseshoe Bend five miles south of the city. If you’re wondering how to get to Horseshoe Bend, it’s not all that hard. Sand storms, summer showers, high winds, and intolerable heat are all possibilities, and you wouldn’t want your experience marred by the weather. Wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and a hat, and take weather warnings seriously. Instead, bring too much rather than too little, because it gets hot.Īlso, wear a good pair of covered walking shoes (I love the Tropicfeel Canyon shoes for hiking in as they’re super-comfy and supportive) because the sand gets melt-your-soles hot, and any opened-toes sandals or shoes are sure to invite the wrath of sandy fire upon your feet. There’s no water source at Horseshoe, so bring enough water to keep yourself well-hydrated.

If you plan on going in the hot summer months, please bear the following in mind. Things to Know Before You Go: How to Visit Horseshoe Bend

There’s also a railing at the viewing platform at the overlook for safety after a downhill walk, but you won’t find any other railings along the trail (don’t worry – you really don’t need them, the boardwalk is just to stop you from having to slog through the sand of the Arizona desert). The first part is also uphill, so wear proper shoes and bring lots of water. The hike from the car park to the Horseshoe Bend viewing platform is about 1.5 miles round trip over a well-laid out path.Īlthough it is a very easy hike, there isn’t much shade apart from two designated pavilions. Horseshoe Bend: What Can I Expect on the Hike? You have to do a (relatively short and very easy) hike from the car park to the Horseshoe Bend viewing point – more on that below. The parking area is just outside Page, and the land south of the parking area, trail, and overlook belongs to the Navajo Nation. Horseshoe Bend is a landmark in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near the city of Page, Arizona, about 9 miles ahead of where the Grand Canyon National Park (which has more than its fair share of its own spectacular views) begins.

Can you go to horseshoe bend without a tour