Horseshoe Bend

Green River Oxbow

Weather: Sunny, 39F

Location

Located a scant five miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, you can access the trailhead directly from Highway 89. A 1.5-mile round-trip hike takes you up over one moderate hill and then down to the bend and back. At the overlook, you’ll be soaring more than 1,000 feet above the Colorado River.

When to Photograph

This is obviously a destination for taking photos. Pre-dawn and dawn makes for some of the most richly saturated photos. High noon is lucrative because the deep shadows that the tall canyon walls cast are at their shortest, and, of course, facing sunset over the bend is simply lovely.

Crowds

There are heavy crowds throughout the summer months especially during the aforementioned best hours for photography. Keep this in mind, but don’t let it spoil your experience of nature.

Parking and Regulations

Horseshoe Bend is located outside of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Park at the big lot at the trailhead, right off Highway 89. The parking lot can accommodate RVs, busses and passenger vehicles. Fee charged for admission.

Take caution with children, there are massive cliff drop-offs from the viewing area. Dogs are not allowed here.

GPS Coordinates: (36.878866, -111.510394)