Home AdventuresU.S.A. The Iconic Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon

The Iconic Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon

by Bryan Lor

Adventure Date: 08/04/2024

North of the Grand Canyon is the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Arizona which includes the Glen Canyon Dam and the infamous Horseshoe Bend.

It’s about a 2 hour drive from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and about a 4 hour drive from Las Vegas.  Good for a day trip if you include Glen Canyon or Antelope Canyon in your plans!

We decided to drive up from the south rim of the Grand Canyon as a part of our day trip to the Grand Canyon National Park.  When you reach the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, you will have to pay to park, and then get out to walk about 15-20 minutes down to the viewing “platform”.  There is an area at the end of the walkway with rails to keep you from falling off, but many people spread out along the edge with some even getting a bit too close for comfort with the edge.

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A view from afar of the viewing area at the end of the walkway. You’ll see many people scattered around and some even dangling their legs off the edge.

Once you get a peak over the edge to see the bend for yourself, you’ll either be amazed and in awe or you might yawn and think, “that’s it?”.  No matter what you do, at least you can now tell others you’ve been here!

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The iconic view of Horseshoe Bend.

As you walk to the viewing area, you’ll notice that the landscape is pretty bare, but if you look closely, you’ll notice plants surviving in this barren environment.

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A plant growing on the rocks near the edge.
A flower growing in the barren environment around the canyon area.

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