Horseshoe Bend can be visited in your own vehicle anytime between the hours of sunrise and sunset, but just after sunrise tends to be better for ease of parking and cooler temperatures.
If the prospect of spending that much time on the water doesn’t appeal, but you’d still like to get a taste of it, consider “ bundling” your Antelope Canyon tour with a short boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside.
While you are here, you might also consider taking part in some of the area’s famous water-based activities, such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip, or the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. In reality, the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping often to take photos! That’s why we recommend planning to spend 1-2 nights in Page, AZ, for comfort and safety. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page - on paper, anyway. All roads between the Phoenix and Page, AZ, (where Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are located) are paved and well-traveled. That said, it is perfectly feasible to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon from Phoenix by self-driving. It’s totally natural to get overwhelmed when planning a vacation to the American Southwest! There’s so much to see, and if you’re like most people, you don’t have all the time in the world.
