Horseshoe Bend
HORSESHOE BEND
Near Page, AZ
Horseshoe Bend is not like any other place on earth. It’s one of those amazing places where pictures simply don’t do justice to the reality. When you first walk up to the rim of Horseshoe Bend you cannot believe how unbelievably large the bend is, and it takes you a few minutes to wrap your mind around what is in front of you. The horseshoe shaped river sits 1,000 vertical feet directly below you and the bend is over a mile long.
It is understandable why thousands upon thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this location each year. And from a photographic standpoint, it should be a must for your portfolio. You will not be disappointed.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 1.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to Horseshoe Bend is a moderate .6 mile hike (100 ft elevation) on a well maintained crushed gravel trail. It will take you about 10 - 15 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the overlook.
The ledge on the rim is 1,000ft. straight down to the river. A fall would be fatal, so always be careful.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
4,200ft Elevation
Google Earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the Horseshoe Bend trailhead parking lot.
The closest town to Horseshoe Bend is Page, AZ (2 miles south). From the US-89 circle in Page (in front of the McDonalds), head south on US-89 for 2.3 miles. Turn right into the Horseshoe Bend parking lot. Follow the well-marked trail to the rim of Horseshoe Bend. Pick your composition and enjoy one of the wonders of the world.
Photography Tips
As mentioned, the scale (height, depth, and width) of Horseshoe Bend is larger than you can imagine before visiting. Trying to compose is difficult to impossible without an ultra wide lens.
For sunrise, the best light lasts for only a few (30 or so) seconds after the sun hits the back walls of the Vermilion Cliffs. If the sunrise it blocked, it is dead shot and you will have to try again another day. However, if you catch this just right, it can make for a stunning image. The differences in dynamic range are extreme, so you may need to blend multiple images together or use HDR software.
For sunset, in the spring/summer months, the sun will set directly in front of the river bend. From a photographic standpoint, it is always best with clouds or a thunderstorm. If you get lucky and hit the right conditions, you can get a GREAT image.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 16 mm
Exposure – 30th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Jan 22nd
Time – 6:49 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
The two primary times to shoot Horseshoe Bend are sunrise and sunset.
For sunrise, you need to arrive 15 minutes before sunrise to compose and set up, as the scene lasts for only a few seconds after the sun hits the back walls of the Vermilion Cliffs.
Best Time of Year
For sunset, the best months are April through September, as the sun sets directly in front of the bend.
For sunrise, I like the winter months, as the sun rises from the left and illuminates (just for a few seconds) the pink sandstone walls of the Vermilion Cliffs.
Lens(es) Needed
You need an ultra wide 11-16mm lens to capture the full view of the scene. Without an ultra wide lens, you will have to stitch multiple shots together.
Permits
There is a $10 parking fee for Horseshoe Bend.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is west around 280°.
Equipment Needed
Other than a tripod, there is no need for any special photography equipment unless you plan on doing a panoramic shot.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Hundreds to thousands of tourists and photographers visit Horseshoe Bend each day. At sunrise, you will normally have 5-15 photographers with you. At sunset, it is a MADHOUSE! On busy days you could share the location with up to 500 other visitors.
Weather
Page, AZ, is an arid climate at over 4,000ft. above sea level. The temperatures range from 95° in the summer to below freezing in the winter.
Cell Service
I use Verizon, and the full cell service at Horseshoe Bend.
Overnight Camping Options
Page, AZ, is nice town with plenty of lodging and places to eat. The only campground/RV park in Page is the Page Lake Powell Campground. It is a very nice facility with good Wifi, laundry, and showers.
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Page Lake Powell Campground - Page, AZ
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Hampton Inn & Suites
(928) 645-0075
294 Sandhill Road, Page, AZ
Holiday Inn Express
(928) 645-9900
643 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ
Courtyard
(928) 645-5000
600 Clubhouse Dr, Page, AZ
Nearby Restaurants
I really enjoy the town of Page, AZ. It is a nice place with friendly people along with some good restaurants and watering holes. My two favorite places to eat and relax after a long day in the canyons are the Dam Bar & Grille or El Tapatio. The Dam Bar & Grille has a good menu, tasty food, cold brew, and a fun sports bar. El Tapatio is a nice family restaurant with excellent Mexican food and LARGE margaritas. For lunch, the Birdhouse has a nice selection of fresh chicken, wings, sandwiches and salads.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
Dam Bar & Grille
(928) 645-2161
644 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ
El Tapatio
(928) 645-4055
25 Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ
Birdhouse
(928) 645-4087
707 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ
Area Guides and Workshops
None