The Navajo People
– One of the unique locations on the Navajo reservation is Horse Bend, which is located just a few miles south of Page, Arizona.
Horseshoe Bend is a unique geological marvel formed over millions of years from consistent erosion. The Bend receives 2 million visitors per year and is part of the Glen Canyon Nation Park.
Getting there by car:
From Las Vegas 4.5 hour drive to Page, and the Bend is 5 miles south.
From Grand Canyon South Rim – a little over 2 hour drive.
From Flagstaff, take Highway 89 north about 125 miles then stop at mile marker 544, which is before you enter the town of Page. Look for a parking lot on the west side of the road.
Getting there by airline:
Contour Airlines is only one airline that flys into Page, but only from Phoenix, Ariz.
For summer 2023, the flights are daily flights. Check their website at: http://www.contourairlines.com/
From the parking site to the ledge, it is a 0.7 mile hike. You are not allowed to park on the side of the road or drop anyone off. It is sandy in some spots. Including the hike and viewing, it will take abut 1.5 hours once you get there. There is no wheelchair access. The hike to the Bend is not recommended for scooters. In the parking area, restrooms are available. Tour at your own leisure. Drones not allowed.
Camping:
No camping available at the site. But a campground exists in Page and a few of the locations nearby.
Safety precautions:
Do not go beyond the fence rails. The ledge to the bottom is a 1,000 foot drop, and like the Grand Canyon, some people have fallen from the top due to carelessness and disobeying the rules.
During the summer, be careful of snakes
Dogs allowed with lease
Hours:
open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Most people visit from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for sunset photos. There are less visitors in the early afternoon when it is hot.
Admissions:
None. But the City of Page charges $10 per carload and $5 for motorcycle for parking. There are safety rails that visitors should stay behind. People have fallen to their death some 900 feet below.
Navajos in the News
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late June that Uncle Sam (U.S. government) was not obligated to help the tribe get water from the Colorado River for use by tribal members. Lawyers for the tribe, argued that various treaties and agreements with the federal government, assured them that the government also had a duty to make sure Navajos had necessary water. This news was devastating to many tribal members who took to Facebook and sounded off.
Travel Announcements
July is Monsoon season across the Reservation and travelers are being reminded to look out for flash floods on roads and canyons.
Today in Navajo History
Forty years ago, in June 1983, it will have been six months into the first administration of the late Navajo leader Peterson Zah. In January of 1983, he defeated Peter MacDonald for the chairman’s office.
Things to Do
Several July rodeo events happening across the Navajo reservation to celebrate July 4th activities. Then July 8-9, there is a big bull riding event in Gallup, NM.
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