Travel question - Horseshoe Bend

[RoxMonster]

In a couple weeks, as part of a longer road trip, we're driving from Zion to the East Entrance of the Grand Canyon South Rim. This route takes us through Page, AZ where Horseshoe Bend is. I'm trying to decide if the detour to do it is "worth it."

We would probably be getting to it around late morning, so I'm sure it will be hot. I know the walk out to it is all sun. Online, I've read reviews that the walk is in deep sand and has a steep incline, yet I watched a few YouTube videos of people doing it and the sand looked pretty hard packed and the incline didn't look steep. I was wondering if anyone has done it and can comment on this?

It looks neat and I'd like to see it; I also know mid-day in July isn't ideal but it's when we'd be there. I'm sure we'd only spend about 5-10 min at the overlook. We'd want to get moving to the GC. I don't really mind a 1.5 mile walk in the hot sun if it's not too steep and the sand is hard packed, but walking up a steep hill in deep/soft sand under a boiling sun doesn't sound fun, and if that's how it is, I will probably skip it.

[dirtyred]

Oh yes, Horseshoe Bend is absolutely worth the detour!  It was my husband's favorite part of our trip to Arizona.

[orval]

On the NPS website it says there was an ADA compliant trail built from the parking lot to the viewing area in 2020. So maybe no soft sand? Haven't been there but I want to go!

[rubytue]

I went in 2019, in the middle of chemo, so not in top shape or stamina by any means. They were working on a flatter trail at the time (Labor Day 2019j. I was slower than most others, and took my hiking pole, but it was find. There was a shaded spot to rest with benches and stuff at the top of the hill. Hot and sunny, yes. But doable.

[RoxMonster]

Thanks everyone! So I went to the horseshoe bend site (it wasn’t an NPS one but looked official lol) and that’s where it mentioned the deep sand and steep hill. But after reading here, I also went to Trip Advisor and found a review that mentioned improvements made in 2019 which made it an easier walk. Perfect! This makes me more optimistic about doing it in high heat.

[tripleshot]

We went in July 2019 as part of a big 14 day NP trip. It was worth it but it was crazy hot and I thought I was going to die walking back to the car. We had to stop at a pavilion-type shelter so I could rest and drink some water. Bring cooling towels.

I have to say that Antelope Canyon was amazing and the highlight of our whole trip. If you can schedule a tour, do it. You can’t see it without a tour.

[tripleshot]

[bunnies]

Jul 7, 2021 17:21:12 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

I have to say that Antelope Canyon was amazing and the highlight of our whole trip. If you can schedule a tour, do it. You can’t see it without a tour.

Yes, agreed! Antelope Canyon was awesome! We did both that and Horseshoe Bend in the middle of a big trip back in 2018.

[clairebear]

I just came back from a Grand Canyon/Bryce Canyon/Zion trip and we did spend a day in Page. My husband did the hike to Horseshoe Bend in the middle of the afternoon and really enjoyed it. The path is pretty easy and it only took him 45 mins round trip. I felt like I had gotten plenty of scenic hiking in and stayed inside with AC. I didn't feel like I missed anything, but H was really glad he went.