Possibly Arizona’s easiest “hike,” Horseshoe Bend is popular for good reason. Stretching a mile across, this dome in the middle of the Colorado River is stunning to behold. The overlook is 4,200 feet above sea level and the Colorado River is at 3,200 feet above sea level, making it a 1,000-foot drop. The bend is 270 degrees around.

If you are staying in Page, Arizona, it’s easy to find Horseshoe Bend. Parking and admission are free and you don’t need a guide to access the bend from the top. Roundtrip, the walk from the parking lot to the cliff is 1.5 miles. It will take 45 minutes and you need to be moderately fit because you’ll be trudging through sand for part of it and there is a mild incline. Here’s a map and guide.

Once you get the cliff, keep your wits about you because there are zero guard rails, not even a rope. Visitors often sit on the edge, dangling their feet over, but it’s easy to get vertigo if you’re standing up taking pictures.

Check out my posts about the wild and wonderful White Pocket as well as the rainbow mountains of Arizona! If you’re in Page, Arizona, you’ll also want to visit Antelope Canyon.

Is Arizona on your bucket list?