Info wanted: Horseshoe Bend (Arizona) area tours, hikes, etc

MissJR

not in the mood for your shenanigans
Team MTBNJ Halter's
Steve and I will be going out to Sedona for a week and then hitting up a race he signed up for that runs thru the slot canyons near the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint. While he's running, I am planning on hitting up Horseshoe Bend because I've never been but I also want to do an additional hike in the area since it's like 4,000 feet from the parking lot to the HSB view point and I want to see more of the area... BUT the trails in the area are on private land and require a guide (even the Waterhole Canyon Trail in blue below which only has a little disclaimer on trailforks... other trails are specifically marked as private and are not "clickable")

Anyway... anyone ever do a guided tour in this area and with what group? I don't mind spending the money since it's not exactly an opportunity that arises every day. (Of course, this is assuming there's an open spot in a tour I can reserve ahead of time)



1735834112787.png
 
My family did a slot canyon and HSB tour last year that we thought was good. The view for HSB was at a private access area, so away from the crowds but the viewpoint was more off-center. The hiking part was only through the slot canyon, so we were taken in a vehicle to get to it.

 
Quick bump for more suggestions before I book something
 
We did this several years ago, not hiking but a 1/2 day float trip starting at the Glen Dam

 
@rottin' haven't you done this one in the past?
Yes, I have. We did Antelope Canyon (Lower) which is the more northern grouping of the slot canyons. We also hiked around HSB, but just the touristy stuff,.not the longer hike that @MissJR highlighted.

The most amazing thing we did in that area was hike Vermillion Cliffs ...also known as "The Wave" i scored a permit from recreation.gov a couple months prior and we built the trip around it. But they do day of permits one day prior. Totally worth the effort, especially if you get it!

From.The Wave...oh, and antelope canyon and HSBIMG_9036.jpg20220420_182759.jpgIMG_9059.jpgFullSizeR(2).jpgIMG_8601.jpg
 
Yes, I have. We did Antelope Canyon (Lower) which is the more northern grouping of the slot canyons. We also hiked around HSB, but just the touristy stuff,.not the longer hike that @MissJR highlighted.

The most amazing thing we did in that area was hike Vermillion Cliffs ...also known as "The Wave" i scored a permit from recreation.gov a couple months prior and we built the trip around it. But they do day of permits one day prior. Totally worth the effort, especially if you get it!

From.The Wave...oh, and antelope canyon and HSBView attachment 255024View attachment 255025View attachment 255026View attachment 255027View attachment 255028

How many times did you enter the lottery for The Wave before you won a permit? I entered the lottery last month to hike in May and didn't get it. Was hoping to do exactly what you did, hit The Wave and Antelope Canyon in the same trip. Might try again after the summer is over.
 
How many times did you enter the lottery for The Wave before you won a permit? I entered the lottery last month to hike in May and didn't get it. Was hoping to do exactly what you did, hit The Wave and Antelope Canyon in the same trip. Might try again after the summer is over.
@sundaydoug I got it on my second try. Soooo lucky. Many have been trying for years with no success. I scored a Tuesday in April, in 2022 IIRC.
 
@sundaydoug I got it on my second try. Soooo lucky. Many have been trying for years with no success. I scored a Tuesday in April, in 2022 IIRC.
I was thinking chances might be better in the winter. Doesn't cost much to enter, might as well keep trying. I wonder if the odds at getting a day-of permit are any better? I was also considering planning a trip out there for Zion/Bryce and just entering the lottery for The Wave every day I'm out there and hope for the best.
 
Do you have ti pay to enter the lottery each time?
I think like $3 maybe? On that trip we also hit up Zion for a couple days and I did not score a permit for Angels Landing which was a bummer, but hiked up to the ranger who turned us away lol. But trip was still a big fat "W" for getting to the Wave. It was simply amazing.
 
I think like $3 maybe? On that trip we also hit up Zion for a couple days and I did not score a permit for Angels Landing which was a bummer, but hiked up to the ranger who turned us away lol. But trip was still a big fat "W" for getting to the Wave. It was simply amazing.
Is Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and then horseshoe bend all in one day a bad idea?

I have no reference except I hear the sand takes a lot of energy.
 
Is Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and then horseshoe bend all in one day a bad idea?

I have no reference except I hear the sand takes a lot of energy.
Totally doable. They are like 15 minutes from each other, and all of the walks/tours in the slot canyons are guided because they are on Native American land, so there must be a guide. They're all about an hour to 90min IIRC. The tour we did was through Ken's Tours, and it was all walking. The Upper tours you get driven into a slot canyon and then begin to hike
 
Is Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and then horseshoe bend all in one day a bad idea?

I have no reference except I hear the sand takes a lot of energy.
we did exactly this spring 2024, 5 families, 10 adults 10 kids (across grades 5-10)
 
Totally doable. They are like 15 minutes from each other, and all of the walks/tours in the slot canyons are guided because they are on Native American land, so there must be a guide. They're all about an hour to 90min IIRC. The tour we did was through Ken's Tours, and it was all walking. The Upper tours you get driven into a slot canyon and then begin to hike
Yeah, not going with a guide, doing the 70k Ultra so that's the way around the permits/guide. But basically same thing.

I just started getting concerned about a lot of people discussing the sand, especially when there's not a lot of elevation.
 
Back
Top Bottom