Take a scenic ride through the crimson cliffs and high desert as we follow a short but unforgettable stretch of U.S. Route 89 from the southern edge of Page to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend overlook in northern Arizona. Though this route covers just 2.5 miles, it captures the stark beauty of the Colorado Plateau, the geologic might of the Glen Canyon region, and the magnetic pull of one of the Southwest’s most iconic vistas.
We begin our journey at the intersection of U.S. Route 89 and South Lake Powell Boulevard, just outside the heart of Page. Founded in the 1950s as a housing community for workers building the Glen Canyon Dam, Page has evolved into a vibrant tourist hub thanks to its proximity to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante. The town’s grid dissolves quickly as we head south, with the highway rising gently through arid terrain. To the west, you’ll glimpse the edge of Manson Mesa, while the distant silhouettes of buttes and mesas hint at the expansive desert that surrounds us.
As we travel southbound, the road briefly ascends before curving through a shallow rock cut, revealing a broad view of the surrounding escarpment. The landscape here is stark and mesmerizing—layers of sandstone, scrub-covered ridges, and the occasional flash of desert wildflowers after monsoon rains. This is high desert country, and the air feels thinner, drier, and somehow more immense. About halfway into our route, we pass the turnoff for Airport Road, which leads to Page Municipal Airport and scenic flights over Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge.
Just past mile marker 544, a right turn takes us into the entrance of the Horseshoe Bend parking area, now complete with facilities, shaded seating, and a paved trail system. Though the bend itself lies nearly a mile from the highway, the path is accessible and offers sweeping desert views along the way. The overlook—a 270-degree curve of the Colorado River encased in rust-red sandstone—has become one of the most photographed natural sites in the United States. From the rim, you’re standing 1,000 feet above the water, looking down into a canyon shaped by millions of years of relentless erosion. It’s a humbling, timeless vista that bridges the power of geology with the serenity of the river below.
Though the drive itself may be short, this stretch of U.S. 89 embodies the spirit of northern Arizona’s canyon country—where vastness is etched into the stone and beauty lies in every detail. Whether you’re en route to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, or simply chasing a sunset over the bend, this brief passage serves as both a gateway and a reminder: sometimes the most memorable parts of a journey aren’t measured in miles, but in the moments they create.
🎵 Music:
Piano March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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