It’s the only place to park to access Horseshoe Bend. The lot is pretty big and has dedicated parking spaces for RVs, but it does often fill up. You can pay the $10 parking fee by cash or credit at the fee booth, but be warned that if you visit on a holiday weekend it’s cash only. While the viewpoint is in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the lot is in Page, Arizona so your America the Beautiful or other interagency pass won’t work here. You won’t need to pay an entrance fee to visit Horseshoe Bend, but you will have to pay to park in the lot at the trailhead. Hiker overlooking Horseshoe Bend at sunrise (Photo: Getty Images) Is There an Entrance Fee for Horseshoe Bend? While the sun will be rising behind you, it bathes the rocks in warm morning light and often leads to a colorful sky. The best time for pretty light and fewer crowds? Sunrise. Plan to arrive early to snag a parking spot. This is the most popular time of day to see Horseshoe Bend, so you’ll have to battle the crowds. You’ll find the prettiest views at sunset, as the viewpoint faces west providing a stunning display as the sun sinks past the horizon. This is a mistake as you’ll experience the hottest possible temperatures and flat light that makes the rocks look dull. Many visitors head to Horseshoe Bend in the middle of the day. Most winter days, you’ll find dry weather with highs in the 40s. The sight of the red rocks covered in glittering white snow is truly magical. While snow isn’t common, it does occasionally happen and rather than let that scare you off, it should encourage you to visit December through February. Winter is the best time to visit as you’ll find fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. How to Avoid Crowds at Horseshoe Bend Horseshoe Bend in winter (Photo: Getty Images) You’re unlikely to be the only one at this Instagram-famous viewpoint, but you can avoid the most common mistake to escape the majority of the crowds, enjoy cooler temperatures and get the prettiest views: don’t visit in the summer, or at mid-day. The mighty Colorado does a full 180-degree turn at this spot in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, forming a perfect horseshoe flanked by striped rock. While you won’t find solitude on this short trail that saw more than 700,000 visitors in 2022, the view itself is, admittedly, spectacular.

Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed spots in the United States.

Eating during horseshoe bend tour