Seth A.
Yelp
Passing through the desert area of Page, Arizona, I figured why not make a return pit-stop to here at Horseshoe Bend, one of the most photographed canyon landmarks in all the United States.
Reading back my original review...I agree with what I wrote...Horseshoe Bend is just okay.
Reflecting, and now fast forwarding to present day...I wanted that "wow" factor because of the hype and attention Horseshoe Bend gets...and yet still returning left me feeling just alright.
Here are some noticeable details about this recent visit...
- Back in 2016, it was free. Now for September 2023, it's $10 fee per car/trailer/RV. And still, $10 is not going to prevent tourists from opting out of visiting. It was just as busy as I can remember.
- Even for whatever crowds of people were here, there's plenty of spacing along Horseshoe Bend's rim overlook for everyone to capture their special picture moment.
- Interestingly, back in 2016, the most courageous risk takers would stand at the cliff's edge of the rim looking down and doing whatever it took for nailing that special social media photo. The rim's edge is 1000 feet high from the bottom and yet people didn't care.
But now...all those risky sections that folks would climb on and chance it hanging beside the edge is closed off by guardrails.
So...no more crazy shots of people putting their lives on the line for the social media reward, lol.
Regardless, you can still climb on the rocks and maneuver however you may so you get the entire horseshoe within your picture frame.
And that leads me to....
- I suggested this initially, and again, I think you can bring some sort of ladder with you to the overlook. This way you have someone standing high above and looking down on the focus subject for quality picture opportunities.
Otherwise, you're standing at eye level beside the rim and it's tough to get that ideal angle. But this is just good ole me, Seth, being nitpicky about photography, lol.
- It's still 1/2 mile walk to the rim. It's casual, and you're surrounded by a vast desert landscape. For mid September, temperatures were in the 90's, but not overly difficult to handle.
- Lastly, the Horseshoe Bend experience hasn't changed too much in 6 years. It's good for taking a few pictures and hanging out at for 45 minutes - 1 hour. You can take a blanket and pick up groceries in downtown Page for a picnic beside the rim.
In total, the view at Horseshoe Bend is good, but not magical in my opinion. Though, it does fit in well with the attractions around Page including Slot Canyon Tours and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area only a few miles away.