Horseshoe Bend Trail,
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
One of the most popular places to photograph in the Grand Canyon area, along the Colorado River and within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is the Horseshoe Bend. The Horseshoe Bend trailhead is located off highway 89, just 1.5 miles south of the highway 98 junction in Page, Arizona. The parking lot is difficult to miss — there are often several large tourist buses parked at the trailhead. The trail begins with a short uphill hike, and then gradually descends to the edge of the canyon where the Horseshoe Bend is visible. Be careful — there are no guard rails at the viewpoint. On sunny days, as the river flows, the water sparkles and shines in varying shades of blue and green. Visit Horseshoe Bend early in the morning and you can beat the heat and the tourists that flock here in the afternoon.
Elevation
The Horseshoe Bend Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,366 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,221 ft. and an elevation range of 145 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.5 mi | 4,221 ft | 4,366 ft | 145 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 14 min | 4.5 | 54 ft | 141 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 15 min | 11.8 | 141 ft | 54 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Horseshoe Bend Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Big Water, UT
- North Topo Map: Lone Rock, NV
- Northeast Topo Map: Warm Creek Bay, UT
- West Topo Map: Water Pockets, AZ
- Topo Map: Ferry Swale, AZ
- East Topo Map: Page, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Navajo Bridge, AZ
- South Topo Map: Lees Ferry, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: White Dome, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Horseshoe Bend Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Horseshoe Bend Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) or 1,150 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Horseshoe Bend Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 14 minutes in one direction and in 15 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.