Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Overview
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based and backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, encompassing scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a panorama of human history. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and the creation of Lake Powell contributed to the birth of the modern day environmental movement. The park offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, backcountry hiking and four-wheel drive trips.
Activities
Boating
By far the most popular activity in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is boating. By private boat or by a rental from one of the park's conssesioners, almost two million visitors enjoy the deep turquoise waters of Lake Powell. There are four marinas where you can launch your private vessel. There are fees for your boat to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Bicycling
Riding the backcountry and primitive roads of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a great way to enjoy the scenery of the Colorado Plateau. As more and more people turn to biking as a means to reach these scenic areas, it's important to keep in mind some safe and ethical riding practices.
Area rides include the Wahweap, Bullfrog/Escalante, Halls Crossing/San Juan, and Orange Cliffs.
Auto/Motorcycle
The Burr Trail offers a fabulous scenic drive.
Camping
Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days, 30 days maximum per season. No camping is permitted at Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Campgrounds include the Lees Ferry, Stanton Creek, Hite, Farley Canyon and Dirty Devil, Lone Rock Beach and Glenn Canyon NRA Backcountry campgrounds.
Fishing
Lake Powell Fish species include striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, and channel catfish. The lake straddles the border of Utah and Arizona, so make sure you have a valid Utah and/or Arizona fishing license. Visit Wayneswords.com for fishing regulations and updated information about fishing conditions on Lake Powell.
Different regulations are required for fishing on the Colorado River below the Dam: The area is completely in Arizona and the license requires a trout stamp. Only barbless artificial lures and flies may be used in this area. NO live bait is allowed. NO trout over 12 inches in length may be in possession. Daily bag limit is four trout per angler. Possession limit is eight trout. Possession of live fish is prohibited.
Hiking
Whether you're just looking for a quick walk, a day hike, or a multi-day backpack trip, Glen Canyon has something to offer.
The hikes listed here are only the beginning. If you are out camping on the shores of Lake Powell or anywhere in the backcountry you are welcome to explore the many side canyons, slickrock hills, and passageways through washes into slot canyons or hanging gardens.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed at Glen Canyon, but please be sure to check with park officials for information on seasons, licenses, and other regulations.
Picnicking
Picnic areas are located through the recreation area.
Water Sports
Swimming is a popular activity at Lake Powell, especially in the summer when water temperatures can surpass 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be aware that there are no life guards or designated swim beaches at Lake Powell or on the Colorado River. Swim at your own risk. Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas.
Kayaking is an excellent way to experience Lake Powell and its magnificent geologic wonders. If you have a couple of hours with a whitewater kayak or a couple of days taking a journey on a sea kayak, kayaking will give you a unique approach to get to know Lake Powell.
All launch ramps are welcome to any kind of boat. Kayakers may find it easier to launch at the less congested ramps, reducing the chances of disturbance by motorized vehicles. Downlake, Antelope Point and Stateline ramps have less traffic. Uplake, Halls Crossing may be a better option than the Bullfrog ramp. In addition to the launch ramps, kayaks can easily be launched at Glen Canyon NRA's primitive beach camping areas. Lone Rock Beach is especially popular downlake, and Stanton Creek is the place to go in the Bullfrog area.
Seasonality/Weather
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open year-round. The highest visitation is in the summer season. In the winter months, Glen Canyon's visitor centers and Lake Powell's marinas have reduced services. Operating hours of the "Charles Hall" Ferry, which runs between Halls Crossing and Bullfrog, change throughout the year.
Park Partners
Glen Canyon Natural History Association
The Glen Canyon Natural History Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to education, interpretation and research within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Glen Canyon Dam, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and other federal lands.
Glen Canyon Natural History Association was created in 1986, and provides aid to the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management through sales of educational materials at interpretive bookstores, and to the Bureau of Reclamation by managing the tours of Glen Canyon Dam.
(928) 608-6358Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas offers a variety of visitor services that includes lodging, restaurants, snack bars, boat tours, boat rentals, campgrounds, retail outlets and a full range of marina facilities. These visitor services are offered at Bullfrog, Halls Crossing, and Hite locations at the upper end of Lake Powell and at Dangling Rope and Wahweap/Stateline locations at the lower end of Lake Powell.
(888) 896-3829Directions
Driving
Wahweap, AZ: Three miles north of Page, AZ on Highway 89 is the south entrance and eight miles south of Big Water Utah is the north entrance to the Wahweap district of Glen Canyon NRA. In-park shuttle service is available at Wahweap.
Antelope Point, AZ: Three miles east of Page on Highway 98, turn north on BIA Hwy N22B to Antelope Point Marina and/or Antelope Point public launch ramp. Antelope Point Marina provides shuttle service.
Lees Ferry and Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center, AZ: Located on Highway 89A 45 miles southwest of Page Arizona and 62 miles southeast of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Lees Ferry is located seven miles down the Lees Ferry road from Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center.
Lone Rock Beach, UT: Two miles south of Big Water, UT or 12 miles north of Page, AZ at the Utah/Arizona border on Hwy 89 is the entrance to Lone Rock Beach. There is limited hard-surfaced road, with the majority of access to Lake Powell on sandy roads or beach.
Bullfrog, UT: The Bullfrog Visitor Center is located on Utah Highway 276. Ferry Service is provided from Bullfrog to Halls Crossing. In-park shuttle service is available at Bullfrog.
Halls Crossing, UT: Halls Crossing is reaching by Utah Highway 276. Ferry Service is provided from Halls Crossing to Bullfrog. In-park shuttle service is available at Halls Crossing.
Hite, UT: Hite is located just off Utah Highway 95; approximately 50 miles southwest of Hanksville, UT or 80 miles northwest of Blanding, UT. At this time the Hite Main ramps are open. They are gravel, so launch at your own risk.
Flying
The City of Page is served by a commercial airline. The airport's code letters are PGA. Charter flights are available from Page and Salt Lake City to other areas on the lake. Bullfrog, Hite and Escalante all have landing strips. Cal Black Memorial Airport is located approximately 10 miles (16km) from Halls Crossing. Rental cars are available at the Page Airport.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation service available in Glen Canyon NRA.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(520) 645-0401Links
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Comments
How do I get to the area of the Park for swimming?