Visit Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon in One Day
You’ll be in awe of both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, which you can easily visit on a one-day trip to Northern Arizona.
Ideally, I would book a tour for Antelope Canyon midday, and then aim to get to Horseshoe Bend for sunset.
HORSESHOE BEND AND ANTELOPE CANYON IN ONE DAY
Tours to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
If you’re visiting Las Vegas or Phoenix, and don’t have a rental car (or just don’t want to drive yourself) there area number of tour options, which include transportation and guides for both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
One Day Tours of Both sites:
➡️ Click for Tour: Las Vegas to Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon in One Day
➡️ Click for Tour: Las Vegas to Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon & Grand Canyon
➡️ Click for Tour: Phoenix to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
➡️ Click for Tour: Sedona to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
➡️ Click for Tour: Flagstaff to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
What Is Horseshoe Bend?
The Colorado River weaves through Northern Arizona. At Horseshoe Bend, the river almost does a full 360 around the rock walls in this part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Horseshoe Bend has a look similar to the Grand Canyon. In fact, just nine miles downstream from the Bend, the Grand Canyon National Park’s boundaries begin.
Visitors on a day trip to Horseshoe Bend can easily enjoy the quick hike to the iconic viewpoint, positioned high above the Colorado River.
The view changes constantly, along with the colors of the water and the rocks. The position of the sun and clouds will reveal different colors and shades from sunrise through sunset each day.
It’s a $10 fee to park your car, and you do not need to book a tour or go with a guide.
What is Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon is a canyon system, created over millions of years through Navajo sandstone.
Over many miles, the sandy floors in the canyons gradually slope down toward Lake Powell, where water empties during storms.
The light from above filters down through the curves in the walls, revealing lines and curves in the sandstone. The shapes were formed as floods carried debris through the canyon over the years.
You can’t visit Antelope Canyon on your own. It’s on Navajo land, and entry rules are controlled by the staff at Navajo Nation Parks.
While several parts of Antelope Canyon are open to tours, Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope, and Antelope Canyon X are the most popular. They all feature the famous carved brown and orange sandstone walls.
Locations: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
Both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are right outside the small city of Page, in northern Arizona.
For visitors, Horseshoe Bend is conveniently right off Highway 89, minutes from Page.
Geographically speaking, Horseshoe Bend a curve in the Colorado River, a few miles south of Lake Powell’s Glen Canyon Dam.
From here, the Colorado River curves through Northern Arizona, and eventually runs through the Grand Canyon.
Antelope Canyon is a desert wash, which runs into Lake Powell. The entrances to different parts of the canyon you can explore are a few miles east of town.
Page, Arizona
This part of the desert southwest is beautiful, and both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are easily accessible to visitors. But Page is a bit of a drive, no matter where you’re coming from.
The small city is built around the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, which filled with water in the 1960s and (despite the drought) still features all kinds of boating and kayaking opportunities.
The crew at The Page – Lake Powell Hub is full of advice on sites to see while you’re there.
Driving From Las Vegas or Phoenix
Page is the same distance from Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
One-way, the drive is around 270 miles from either city, which will take you around 4.5 hours. It’s doable in a day (or on a tour) if you leave early. I’d definitely recommend staying overnight after your tours of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend!
In the winter, you’ll want to check the forecast for snow storms in the Flagstaff area, if you’re driving north from Phoenix.
During the summer monsoon season, the whole Northern Arizona/Southern Utah area is susceptible to flash flooding from storms.
Flying from Phoenix to Page
If you don’t like driving, you can take an easy 45 minute flight on Contour Airlines from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX – PGA).
I’ve taken the Contour flight from Terminal 3 at PHX a few times. There are usually two flights a day between Phoenix and Page. I love the convenience, but the flights are often delayed, so factor a possible delay into your itinerary.
Horseshoe Bend Advice
It’s so easy for visitors to experience Horseshoe Bend. They’ve really done an excellent job at making Horseshoe Bend “tourist-friendly.”
There’s some “Instagram vs. Reality” stuff here. You’ll encounter a large crowd, which isn’t usually seen in the photos people post online.
Parking and Fees
A few miles south of Page, along Highway 89, you cannot miss the huge parking lot for Horseshoe Bend.
You’ll pull in, and drive up to one of three ticket booths. The entry cost for Horseshoe Bend is $10 per car.
They have plenty of room for parking, plus an overflow lot, and another lot for RVs and trucks with trailers.
One of the staff members working in the booth said when the lot fills up during the high season, there’s often a wait to get in. They also open off-site parking and bus people to the trailhead during the busiest days. I’ve never seen it get that busy on any of my trips.
How Far is the “Hike” to Horseshoe Bend?
The walk down is 0.6 mile, and the entire round trip is 1.3 miles.
I can’t even really call this a hike. It’s more of a stroll, along a mostly-flat, well-groomed path.
The trail to Horseshoe Bend is smooth enough for a wheelchair or a stroller. I’ve seen both down at the viewpoint.
Once you get to the viewing platform, you can actually hike along the rock formations on the cliffs above the Colorado River.
If you’re aiming for sunset photos, I’d suggest arriving at Horseshoe Bend 90 minutes before the sun sets. That will give you plenty of time to hike down, relax, setup a picnic, explore the cliffs, and enjoy the view.
Horseshoe Bend is pet-friendly. They even have a kiosk with free plastic baggies in case you forgot to bring yours!
Get Away From the Crowd at Horseshoe Bend
You’ll see a huge gathering of people on the cramped main viewing platform. Many never stray from its railings.
Walking farther down the rim, you’ll find other beautiful rock formations, so it’s definitely worth spending some time here exploring. We walked only a quarter of a mile, and left literally the entire crowd behind!
It’s worth the hike for some peace and quiet. A couple times I stayed a bit too late after sunset, and stumbled in the moonlight across the rocks to get back on the main path to the parking lot.
Photography Advice
Early morning sunrise photos are beautiful, and you’ll find fewer people at sunrise than at sunset.
Still, nothing beats an Arizona sunset, so it may be worth two stops, depending on how serious you are about the lighting in your photos.
A lot of people come for engagement shoots, wedding shoots, etc…. so it’s worth getting it “just right.”
Sunset is my favorite time to visit Horseshoe Bend. The glow as the sun sets beyond the horizon is beautiful, and clouds in the sky add to the photos!
I’m always confused by people aiming their camera lenses INTO the bright sun, before it sets. Unless they’re looking for a silhouette shot, they’re likely unhappy with their photos with the sun blasting from behind:
Just wait for the sun to go down 😊 ⬇️
Antelope Canyon Advice
Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
The photos above show the main differences between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.
Both are worth visiting, but depending on your situation, one may be better than the other.
You’ll notice: Upper Antelope (on the left above) is darker, with a much wider path to walk on.
Lower Antelope is brighter, with a more narrow path inside. You’ll often have to go single-file on the tour.
Another major difference to keep in mind: Lower Antelope Canyon is full of ladders and steps, so it’s not ideal for some children or seniors or anyone with mobility challenges.
This is the first ladder you’ll encounter at the entrance of Lower Antelope:
Those are the basics of Antelope Canyon.
My blog (CLICK HERE) has a full description of everything you need to know about Antelope Canyon, including accessibility, kids, weather, history, tour options, and guides.
Costs and Different Tour Options at Antelope Canyon
Again, you will have to book a guided tour for Antelope Canyon, whether you want to explore Upper, Lower, X, Rattlesnake, Mystical, or any of the options available.
Only two tour companies have permits to give tours of Lower Antelope Canyon, with the brighter light and more orange walls. Tours of Lower Antelope start at around $50
No matter which canyon or tour you choose, the guides will be very helpful with advice and information about everything from history to photography.
The One Photography Tour Left
The tour companies decided: professional photographers were slowing down the flow of traffic inside the canyons with their tripods, so photography tours at Upper Antelope were canceled.
You can still take a much slower photography tour at Antelope Canyon X, which you can book here. It’s a less-crowded part of the Canyon.
How Far is the Hike at Antelope Canyon
Again, it’s not really much of a “hike” at either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. The walk through is sandy and flat.
The tour of Upper Antelope (the darker one with wider paths) is around a quarter of a mile. Those tours start in Page, and involve an open-air Jeep ride to the parking lot. The entire experience will be around two hours.
At Lower Antelope, it’s a bit longer inside the Canyon: about half-a-mile.
For this option, you’ll have to drive to the parking lot outside of Page, which is adjacent to the Canyon entrance.
The Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Any time of year works to visit both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but maybe these factors will help plan your visit.
It’s relatively mild (usually) in the winter months, with highs in the upper 40s. Still, I’ve seen it snow around here, so there’s always that potential in January.
On the other hand, the crowds at Antelope Canyon are smaller in January, so you’ll have far fewer people on your tour. That’s definitely a benefit!
Spring and Fall are ideal weather-wise, because it’s not too hot or cold.
Summer months, while they can be brutally hot, bring hoards of international visitors.
You’ll be surprised by how many Asian and European tourists will be there with you!
Antelope Canyon is especially well-known these days around the world, partly due to the longtime owner of Antelope Canyon Tours lobbying travel agents in Japan, France, and Germany for years.
A Warning: Summer Weather is Unpredictable
Summer will bring the desert heat, and the monsoon storms.
It’s a gamble. You can be out in triple-digit heat in the day, and then running for cover as a monsoon storm unexpectedly sweeps in.
The tour guides at Antelope Canyon watch the radar constantly, and close the tours if a threat of flooding exists.
A 5:30PM tour we were booked on canceled at 5:00PM, because a small cell was moving off in the distance. They’re very cautious and safety-minded.
In 1997, a group of 11 tourists died in a flash flood inside Antelope Canyon. The storm that triggered the flood was 15 miles away!
The tour companies will refund you or reschedule you for free, if weather impacts your visit.
Hotels Near Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
If you’re doing a day trip, it’ll be a LONG day of driving from either Phoenix or Vegas. Maybe you’ll stay in St. George, Utah, on your way back to Vegas. Flagstaff or Sedona are options on your way back to Phoenix.
Page has a number of hotels and rental options. You can use this interactive map to search around to see what’s available for the dates you’re considering:
I really like Page, and I always recommend people staying at the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell.
The staff is really nice and helpful, and the rooms are large with separate living areas with sofas.
They have an early-morning barista making coffee for pre-dawn departures. There’s also a free breakfast buffet starting at 7:00PM if you “sleep in.”
At night, the kitchen at the Hyatt Place’s restaurant is open late (until 10:00PM, usually) and features great food for post-sunset meals. The patio is a nice option for drinks, too.
What Else is There to do in Page, AZ?
Where do I start?! This area is full of amazing natural wonders!
Lake Powell, despite reaching record-low water levels in 2022, is still a great place to visit for a variety of water activities.
White Pocket is the most jaw-dropping site you can visit in the area (in my mind), but requires a 4×4 Jeep year-round, and an adventurous spirit.
I have a full separate blog devoted to how to get to White Pocket, and what you’ll experience there:
Buckskin Gulch is in the same area (Vermilion Cliffs National Monument) as White Pocket, but far easier to get to. It’s a relatively easy hike, from the Wire Pass Trailhead, which leads to another impressive slot canyon:
I’ll also add: Alstrom Point to the list of sites to see. It requires a bumpy drive to the north side of Lake Powell (in Utah) but the view is stunning. I hope to be able to camp here at some point to see the sunrise:
If you have extra time, it’s worth a two-hour drive east of Page, AZ, to Monument Valley. It’s home to some of the most iconic scenery in the Desert Southwest!
Wrap: Are Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon Worth a Day Trip?
Without a doubt, these are two amazing Arizona gems, well worth visiting. I really enjoy them more than the Grand Canyon.
If you time things out, you can actually visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, PLUS Horseshoe Bend in a day.
We did Upper Antelope in the late morning, Lower Antelope in the early afternoon, and then Horseshoe Bend at sunset.
