Railing added at Horseshoe Bend overlook

Not everyone happy with the new development

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 Anyone who has lived in Page for more than five years has watched as the popularity of the Horseshoe Bend Overlook has grown exponentially.

“When I first pulled into Page, the Highway 89 shoulder would be lined with cars and the expected 65 mph speed limits would be exceeded. To me, it was obvious that safety concerns needed to be addressed,” remarked Mary Plumb, Public Information Officer for the National Park Service, about the area near the iconic Horseshoe Bend overlook.

Tourism is a consistent, driving force of development in northern Arizona, prompting the installation of passing lanes on Highway 89 North between Page and Kanab and handrails and trail improvements at Horseshoe Bend. Over 2 million people visit Horseshoe Bend each year, a number that rivals theme parks across the country.  The difference is notable, even National Public Radio cited the growth and largely attributed its origins to the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

The National Park Service closely monitors visitation trends and considers the dynamics when developing management plans for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. At Horseshoe Bend, the plan includes an updated trail layout designed to protect and preserve the natural resource while enabling increased visitation.  Construction beginning, promises a more durable, sustainable and accessible trail for all visitors.

Residents who have occupied the reserved, expansive town of Page for as little as two years, have already seen a substantial increase in visitation. Locals once knew Horseshoe Bend as a casual hangout spot for a spontaneous evening. Today, one can only stand on the edge for the duration it takes to snap a picture before making way for the line of people behind you, waiting to snap their coveted selfie

“Because of social media this place has exploded. Horseshoe bend’s visitor count has increased by 1.5 million and 2 million in the past year,” said Plumb.

The updated trail layout is designed to protect and preserve while allowing for increased visitation. A sturdy trail corridor means that Page visitors can glimpse the Colorado River from a lofty vantage, all the while preserving the landscape for future visitation. The National Park Service designed the new trail corridor with an eye to the future; visitors will soon tread upon a walkway that is more durable, more sustainable, and more accessible to diverse land users.

Many Page residents remember Horseshoe Bend from its years before it was “discovered” as a casual hangout on a spontaneous evening.

The handhold between the increased visitation and necessary safety precautions seems inevitable. Thankfully, Horseshoe Bend, in all its popularity, has the park service and all of its biggest financial and hands-on funders, to help best support its every shape it takes in the near and distant future.