Horseshoe Bend in the United States, a canyon with raw and wild beauty

Western decors make you dream? You will love Horseshoe Bend, one of the many natural sights of the United States!

We give you an appointment this time in the United States, in the arid state of Arizona whose decors are not without recalling those of a good old western. This meander in the desert is located a few kilometers from the city of Page, downstream of the dam Glen Canyon and Lake Powell .

This “secret” destination is a bit special since it has been ignored for years, before becoming one of the most popular tourist sites in Western America. As often, nature does things well and offers us a breathtaking show!

So Horseshoe Bend, what is it? How to get there, when and at what cost? Where to sleep and eat once on the spot? We answer all your questions in this article dedicated to this icon of Arizona!

In the footsteps of Horseshoe Bend in the United States

The old eroded plateau of Horseshoe bend — or the Courbe du Fer à Cheval — owes its name, you will have understood it, in its particular form carved by Colorado. For here, the emerald river that winds through the dizzying walls of the canyon takes a turn at 180°, in the way of a loop. Impressive isn’t it?

But let's start with a brief history of the region. The first sedentary peoples to settle in this territory were the Fremont Amerindians and Anasazi (until about 14th century), to whom the Paiutes succeed, then the Paiutes Navajos and the Hopis (about 1850).

From the 16th century, the Spanish settlers then the government carried out expeditions in the region, before the arrival of the pioneers in the gold rush. From the beginning of the twentieth century, the region is growing and is increasingly frequented by tourists.

But the exceptional landscape of Horseshoe Bend not only attracts tourists, but also filmmakers! One can see his scenery in the film The Planet of Sins (1968) by Franklin James Schaffner.

What's behind Horseshoe Bend in the USA?

A spectacular view of the majestic rock giants of the canyon, above Colorado, this is what awaits you if you stop at Horseshoe Bend! We go there to contemplate its high orange cliffs, whose color varies according to the intensity and inclination of the sun, and the Colorado River flowing 340 metres lower and passes from emerald green to deep blue. How can we not feel anything small in front of this vast expanse?

Since 2010, Horseshoe Bend has been attracting more and more visitors, bringing the authorities to develop the site in order to accommodate them in the best conditions (home to protect themselves from the sun, additional parking spaces, security barriers...). The aspect of Horseshoe Bend is no longer as raw as before, but the good news is that the site is now accessible to persons with reduced mobility .

After a short “hungry” of 1.2 kilometres (2.4 kilometers round trip), you will then access the coveted panorama of the meander from a well-appointed platform. What if we change the point of view? To contemplate Horseshoe Bend from below, it is possible to go for a rafting trip on the Colorado River from the Glen Canyon dam base.

To go

How?

If you’re visiting the west of the United States, there’s a good chance that you’ve opted for a road trip, and so a motorcycle, a car, a van, a camper or even a bus.

From Page, you just have to follow the South direction on the US 89 , turn right about 2.5 kilometers after the crossing US 89 and AZ 98 then follow the signs that indicate the path leading to Horseshoe Bend. Easy, right?

When?

The hottest months of the year are June to September , with an average temperature of 26° — the temperature rises regularly beyond 32° in the middle of the day — while December to February , the average temperature does not exceed 5°.

In the middle of the day, you can enjoy a maximum of light in the bottom of the canyon — the ideal for photography lovers — while at sunrise or sunset the panorama on the canyon is enchanting.

On site, plan an hour to go hiking and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place. Note, however, that the parking lot opens its doors to 5 a.m. and close 20h In the evening.

Finally, avoid peak periods as much as possible because once the parking lot is full, you will no longer be able to park, and therefore access Horseshoe Bend. But no panic, the parking lot has recently been enlarged!

At what price?

Since April 2019, access to Horseshoe Bend has been paid. To access the parking and then to the site, count:

• $10 car/camping car/van
• $5 by motorcycle
• Come on. $35 and $140 for larger vehicles

Note : The parking outside the National Park is not included in the Pass America.

To sleep

On site

The city of Page is only about eight kilometers from Horseshoe Bend and offers several accommodations. The price of one night in a hotel in Page ranges from $30 to $250, or $110 on average.

It is therefore advisable to book in advance, especially in high season, and to use a Compare hotels to find a room with the best value for money. Some accommodations are also available on Airbnb for an average price of $175 per night.

Otherwise, south of the city of Page and less than a quarter-hour drive from Horseshoe Bend, you will find the campsite Page Lake Powell Campground , to $30 about the night, on reservation.

For the anecdote, the city of Page is rather recent since it was created in 1957 to house the workers and their families, who worked on the Glen Canyon dam, on the Colorado .

The nearby addresses

Campsites Lone Rock Beach Campground ( $10 per night) and Wahweap Campground (more equipped, from $30 per night and on reservation) in the Glen Canyon NRA, only available 25 minutes Horseshoe Bend's road and are a very good alternative.

To eat

On site

Although Horseshoe Bend is not particularly well-appointed for this (no shadow, no picnic tables to date...), it is always possible to bring your food on site. In this case, consider making sure that you do not leave any waste behind you in order to preserve this exceptional site.

The nearby addresses

You should find your happiness in the city of Page! Meat lovers will enjoy Big John’s Texas BBQ , in the atmosphere 100% American, including musical background.

Those who would like to taste Mexican cuisine may prefer Fiesta Mexicana or El Tapatio . Finally, to find more known flavors, go to Bonkers Restaurant (Italian-American cuisine).

To take in my backpack

The heat can be overwhelming at some hours of the day, so make sure to have with you these essentials:

• Water in sufficient quantity
• What to cover your head
• Sunglasses
• Solar cream
• A camera (with a wide-angle lens for those who wish to return the entire site in one image)
• Camping equipment if you plan to sleep outside

What I can discover in the region

Enjoy your visit to the Page area to visit Lake Powell (about 10 kilometers) and Antelope Canyon (about 18 kilometers), then continue your road to Lee’s Ferry (about 65 kilometers).

Not far, you can also go to discover the natural treasures of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (about 50 kilometers) and the famous Cottonwood Canyon road that runs through it, or the western city of Kanab (about 125 kilometers). Happy adventure!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Matt415

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Susan Warren Photography