Photograph Horseshoe Bend at Sunset

Itinerary tips

• 1Arrive at least 90 minutes before sunset to secure a parking spot in the designated lot and walk the 1.5-mile round-trip trail.
• 2Pay the $10 per vehicle entry fee at the gate as National Park passes are not accepted at this municipal site.
• 3Bring a wide-angle lens, ideally 14mm to 24mm, to capture the entire 270-degree river bend in a single frame.
• 4Pack a headlamp for the walk back to the car, as the sandy trail becomes dark quickly once the sun dips below the horizon.
• 5Avoid the crowded main platform by walking slightly along the rim to the left or right for unique angles and fewer tourists.
• 6Carry at least one liter of water per person even for this short walk, as the desert heat is intense and there is no shade.