Parking restrictions put into place at Horseshoe Bend Overlook due to overcrowding

Congestion and safety concerns at the parking lot of the Horseshoe Bend Overlook have prompted temporary restrictions, Page, Ariz., date not specified | Photo courtesy Page Police Department, St. George News

PAGE, Arizona — Congestion and safety concerns at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook parking lot have prompted the city of Page Police Department to implement temporary parking and safety restrictions.

The view of Horseshoe Bend, located five miles south of Glen Canyon Dam along a 16-mile undammed stretch of Glen Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Ariz., Jan. 2, 2018 | File photo by Reuben Wadsworth, St. George News

Over the last several years, visitation to Horseshoe Bend Overlook has increased dramatically, according to a joint statement released June 21 by the Page Police and the National Park Service.

Horseshoe Bend is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is managed by the park service. The parking lot for Horseshoe Bend is located in and managed by the city of Page.

A parking control employee will be posted in the parking lot daily during the busiest hours. Page Police will continue to assist with parking control as needed. The Page Public Safety Mobile Command Center has been placed at Horseshoe Bend and will be used by city employees and public safety personnel.

Although the parking lot has been expanded several times, vehicle congestion still remains a safety issue. Heat-related medical issues continue to be a major concern as well.

To address those issues, the following restrictions are in place until further notice:

  • Tour buses with a carrying capacity of more than 20 passengers will not be allowed to park on site. The buses will be required to unload at the designated area near the trailhead, leave the site and return at a time agreed upon with their passengers to pick them up.
  • All visitors must adhere to the instructions of the parking control employee.
  • Parking is prohibited along U.S. Highway 89. New signs and barriers have been placed along the highway and violators will be cited.
  • If the parking lot is full, visitors will need to return at another time. The best time to find parking is prior to 10 a.m. or between 4 and 6 p.m. On holiday weekends, the parking lot may fill up sooner.
  • Officials are asking that consideration be given to the limited parking and that visitors not linger, camp or picnic in the parking lot. Overnight camping is not allowed. Visitors are invited to enjoy city parks in Page and day use areas at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
  • The half-mile hike from the parking lot to the rim provides little relief from the sun. Visitors should bring water on the hike, wear comfortable clothing and seek immediate relief at the first signs of heat related illness (heavy sweating, confusion, dizziness, weak rapid pulse, fainting, fatigue, headache, muscle or abdominal cramps, nausea vomiting or diarrhea). In the event of an emergency, call 911.
  • The ground becomes very hot in the late morning and afternoon, which could burn feet on visitors and their pets. Visitors should wear appropriate shoes (no sandals) and should not take pets on the hike if the ground is too hot. Pets must not be left unattended in vehicles.

Improvements are underway at the site, including a new American Disabilities Act trail and viewing area, shade structures, a larger parking lot and visitor contact station.

The city plans to start construction of the new parking lot in November with a projected completion date of March 2019. When the new parking area is complete, buses will again be allowed to park at Horseshoe Bend.

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Twitter: @STGnews

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