Horseshoe Bend Parking: Fees, Hours, and Tips for Your Visit
Horseshoe Bend parking is the first thing you need to figure out before you see one of the most famous views in Arizona. Just outside Page, the Colorado River wraps around a giant sandstone peninsula 1,000 feet below the rim, and millions of people come every year to see it.
It wasn't always this busy. Not long ago, fewer than 40,000 people a year made the trip, and they parked on the side of the highway. Then social media discovered Horseshoe Bend, and the crowds grew to around two million a year. In 2019, the City of Page built a paved trail, restrooms, and an official parking lot. Here's what to know before you go.
TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF HORSESHOE BEND:
Horseshoe Bend's Emerald Canyon Driving & Walking Tour is a self-guided GPS audio tour that starts in downtown Page, drives past Glen Canyon Dam, and ends with a short walk to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook.
Along the way you'll learn:
How a town was built from scratch to house dam workers
Why the Colorado River runs emerald green here
How a one-armed Civil War veteran explored this canyon by boat
How Horseshoe Bend went from local secret to Instagram superstar
The drive takes about 30 minutes without stopping, plus a short walk at the end.
HOW MUCH DOES HORSESHOE BEND PARKING COST?
Parking is $10 per car, truck, SUV, or RV, and $5 per motorcycle. The fee is per vehicle, not per person. The lot is run by the City of Page, so park passes like the America the Beautiful Pass are not accepted. Fees can change, so check before you go.
WHERE IS THE PARKING LOT?
The official lot is just off Highway 89, about five minutes south of downtown Page. Watch for the entrance on the west side of the highway. Parking on the highway shoulder is not allowed, and cars parked there can be ticketed and towed.
HORSESHOE BEND PARKING HOURS:
The lot is open every day from sunrise to sunset. The gate stops letting cars in at sunset, but if you're already inside, you can stay to finish your visit and walk back.
WHEN DOES THE LOT FILL UP?
In the busy season, from about May through September, the lot often fills between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. If it's full, you may be turned away and asked to come back later. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance at a spot and cooler weather.
TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT:
Use the restrooms in the parking lot. There are none on the trail.
Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. The trail is about 1.2 miles round trip, and there's no shade.
Stay back from the edge. Parts of the rim have no railing, and the drop is 1,000 feet.
Leave the drone at home. Drones are not allowed.
Bring a backup payment. The booth usually takes cards and cash, but it may be cash only on some holidays.
MORE TO SEE NEAR HORSESHOE BEND:
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook—A free view of the dam and bridge from the canyon rim.
Carl Hayden Visitor Center—Free exhibits on how Lake Powell was made.
Antelope Canyon—Famous glowing slot canyons, visited with a Navajo guide.
Lake Powell—Boating, kayaking, and lake views just minutes away.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Want the full breakdown—where to eat, where to stay, and the best things to do in Page, AZ? Our Page and Horseshoe Bend travel guide covers all of it.
Check out our Page and Horseshoe Bend travel guide to plan your trip.
Comments