To Do in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

(Last Updated On: April 9, 2021)

Anybody will be stunned when stopped in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area beside the highway journey and will be astonished to see its vastness and magnitude. This article will discuss the enchanting ability of the miracle of nature, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

What to Do in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

It covers 1.25 million acres largely in Utah but additionally in northern Arizona close to the Web page. You’ll discover limitless choices for water-based actions, critical backcountry hikes, scenic viewpoints, and distinctive formations.

Throughout our latest go-to, we spent some beautiful time on the water however plan on returning for some hikes since we left a lot of land unexplored.

All opinions are at all times my personal findings on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Learn our full disclosure for more information on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Thanks for supporting the manufacturers that make Native Adventurer attainable.

1. Antelope Canyon Boat Excursions

We went on the Canyon Journey Boat Tour, which took us to Antelope Canyon and Navajo Canyon in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Remember that though that is a part of the identical Antelope Canyon that you would be able to tour on land, this portion of the canyon is crammed with water.

Some companies had been confused between the 2 because it didn’t appear to be the photographs they’ve seen. We additionally bought an opportunity to see Glen Canyon Dam from the water together with different stunning formations.

While you board, they offer you a headset that has pre-recorded information that they play throughout sure components of the tour in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

In any other case, the captain will level our important landmarks and the opposite workers on board will help reply to any questions.

Professional Tip: They solely permit a sure variety of individuals on the highest of the boat, so arrive early if you wish to get a seat up there in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

In the event you don’t get a seat up prime, home windows downstairs do open. In addition, they present water, espresso, and lemonade on all of the cruises, however for those who assume you’ll get hungry, it’s best to pack some snacks.

2. Lake Powell

Rainbow Bridge Nationwide Monument is just 160 acres, making it one of many smallest Nationwide Park models.

However, inside that small piece of land, you could find one of many largest pure bridges on the planet as nicely as different distinctive options.

On this journey, we didn’t make it out to Rainbow Bridge, as a result of we didn’t notice how long it takes to boat on the market. Fortunately, a month later, we had been in a position to hire a ship to do each Rainbow Bridge and Reflection Canyon.

Attending to Rainbow Bridge takes some planning as it may well solely be accessed by water or lengthy hikes. Listed below are your choices while visiting the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area:

Hike the North Path (17.5 miles / primarily by means of Navajo Tribal Lands)
Hike the South Path (17.2 miles / primarily by means of Navajo Tribal Lands)
Take a Rainbow Bridge Tour (tour lasts roughly 6 hours / examine charges & availability right here)
Lease or Convey Your Personal Boat (examine boat leases right here)

A couple of notes if climbing:

Contact Navajo Parks for permits for those who plan on climbing.
When climbing, you are able to do it a method so long as you prepare a decide-up by means of the Wahweap Marina.

Verify the climate – don’t hike if rain is within the forecast.

The right way to Get to Rainbow Bridge Nationwide Monument + Your Important Information to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

3. Take a Float Journey Down the Colorado River

It is great to be a part of Wilderness River Adventures for a float tour down the Colorado River. Beginning on the Glen Canyon Dam, your knowledgeable information will take you down the Colorado River telling you extra concerning the historical past of the realm and mentioning important landmarks just like the Petroglyphs.

The spotlight of this journey was attending to see Horseshoe Bend from contained in the canyon. While you appear up, you could possibly see a crowd of tiny people dotting the sting.

You possibly can even hop within the water, however, remember the fact that not like Lake Powell the place the water will get heat in the summertime, the river says a cool 47 levels all 12 months spherical.

Safety Tips: Do your self a favor and take the very first tour of the day. The morning will begin out chilly on the water so that you’ll wish to carry a light-weight jacket, however, by the tip it is going to be fairly heated. Noon excursions can get sizzling.

Boating is by far the most well-liked exercise in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. In case you have your individual boat, there are 4 marinas with ramps the place you’ll be able to launch a non-public car (click on right here to see the total record)

You may also hire a ship on the Wahweap or Bullfrog Marinas. You have got the selection between a Pontoon Boat, Powerboat, Baja Skit Boat, Weekender Boat, or Jetskis. Throughout our go-to, we bought took a Powerboat out for a half-day rental.

Neither of us has a lot of boating expertise however they walked by means of all of the fundamentals and we went out to discover a number of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on our personal.

Lake Powell can also be a well-liked spot to go fishing! For the reason that lake borders the Utah and Arizona line, be certain you could have a fishing license from each state. Click on right here for extra on fishing rules and circumstances.

Safety Tip: You should definitely make reservations forward of time, particularly through the summertime. We had a number of individuals ask us if we may take them out for a trip since no boats had been left while visiting the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Additionally, arrive 20-30 minutes earlier than your reservation to fill out all the suitable paperwork so you could have the utmost time on the water.

5. Tour the Glen Canyon Dam

The Glen Canyon Dam is the second-largest concrete arch dam within the US. Take the 45-minute lengthy tour to be taught extra about its historical past and the way it capabilities.

Every tour permits most of 20 individuals and you’ll solely make reservations in individual on the Carl Hayden Customer Heart as much as 24 hours upfront.

Tickets costs are $5 for adults 17-61, $2.50 for youths 7-16, free for youngsters 0-6, and $Four for anybody 62+.

Glen Canyon is all concerning the water sports activities. If you wish to see the lake at a slower tempo, hire a kayak or arise paddleboard in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

We noticed a ton of individuals kayaking within the canyons, and in contrast to the boats, they had been in a position to get proper subsequent to the partitions and even pull them up on shore to take a seat out on the rocks.

Safety Tip: Apply a number of sunblocks! Since they’re sit-on-top kayaks, don’t neglect your legs. You may get some gnarly sunburns from forgetting to reapply when kayaking.

6. Spencer Path

Lees Ferry is the one place the place you’ll be able to drive to the Colorado River inside Glen Canyon. It’s the place we ended our float tour and the launching level for Grand Canyon rafting journeys.

Fishermen launch from right here to move upstream for world-class trout fishing, and backpackers finish 4-5 day hikes by means of the Paria Canyon Wilderness Area right here as nicely.

Simply upstream from the Lees Ferry launch ramp, you’ll discover the historic ferry crossing website and some historic buildings. It was the spot the place pioneers, miners, Indians, and vacationers crossed between 1872 to 1928.

7. Hike to Horseshoe Bend

Lake Powell is unquestionably the principle attraction of Glen Canyon Nationwide Park, however, don’t neglect to explore all the gorgeous spots on dry land.

Horseshoe Bend might be the most well-liked day hike by far. We stopped by to catch sundown right here. Listed below are a number of the day hikes you’ll be able to discover:

Web page/Wahweap Space:

Dam Overlook (940 ft roundtrip)
Hanging Garden (1-mile roundtrip)
Horseshoe Bend (1.5 miles roundtrip)
Antelope Point (numerous distances)
The Chains (numerous distances)

Hwy 89 North:

Bucktank Draw and Birthday Arch (4.5 miles roundtrip)
Wiregrass Canyon (6 miles roundtrip)
Cottonwood Road (numerous distances)
Paria Rimrocks (1.5 miles roundtrip)
Pariah Townsite (numerous distances)

Lees Ferry Area

Lonely Dell (1-mile roundtrip)
Paria (numerous distances)
River Path/ Lees Fort (2 miles roundtrip)
Spencer Path (4.Four miles roundtrip)

Bullfrog

Pedestal Alley (Three miles roundtrip)

Climbing Ideas:

Click on right here for instructions to the hikes and extra information.
There’s little to no shade on most hikes and cellular phone reception is spotty.
Convey lots of water and costume appropriately.
Put on sunscreen and keep in mind to reapply.
If there’s potential for flash floods, don’t hike any trails by means of washes.

Professional Tip: In the event, you want exploring on two wheels, there are miles of mountain biking trails. Discover extra particulars right here.

There are a pair of backcountry roads you’ll be able to take for a scenic drive. The primary is the Burr Path. You get nice views of the Henry Mountains and takes you through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalate Nationwide Monument.

You may also drive alongside the Gap-in-the-Rock Street which follows the path of early pioneers from Escalante, Utah to Gap-in-the-Rock.

8. Burr Path

Distance: 67 miles one-way

Roads: Mixture of paved and grime roads. Impassible when moist. The 4-wheel drive required for some sections.

Gap-in-the-Rock Street
Distance: 62 miles one-way
Roads: Excessive-clearance car required. Final 5 miles require 4-wheel drive.

Different Ideas:

Verify with a ranger or name 435.826.5499 for highway and climate circumstances.
Cell service is unreliable. It’s at all times a superb practice to let somebody know your itinerary so that you might be present in case one thing goes incorrect.
Pack out every part you pack in.
Take loads of consuming water and snacks.

9. Get a Totally different Perspective at Muley Level

Muley Level Rd, 84531

Muley Level is on the far nook of the San Juan Arm. From right here you will get views of Monument Valley, Navajo Mountain, and delightful canyons of the San Juan River.

Simply exterior of the park within the Cedar Mesa space, you’ll discover nicely preserved prehistoric archaeological websites within the alcoves and canyons.

Be certain to not contact, lean, or climb on any of the stays to assist protect them while visiting the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

10. Discover the Escalante BackCountry

755 W Most important St, 84726, map

The Escalante space is normally neglected as a result of it doesn’t have a marina or entry to Lake Powell, however, it has a number of the greatest backcountry climbing and tenting in Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space.

Safety Tip: The Escalante Interagency Customer Heart will likely be your greatest useful resource for planning journeys in this space. You possibly can name them at 435.826.5499 to allow information and highway circumstances in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Important Ideas for Your Go to

Greatest Time to Go to Summer season is the busiest time of 12 months as a result of the water is warmest. If you wish to keep away from the crowds, come within the Spring or Fall.

In the event you plan on visiting a number of Nationwide Parks this 12 months, decide up America the Stunning Move.

Try the park’s present circumstances with these webcams.

The park is accessible 24 hours year-round, however sure amenities are solely open seasonally. Verify this web page to search out all these hours.

The Nationwide Park Service is much less prevalent at this park as a result of it’s a recreation space. A number of the companies are run by the third-occasion firm. In the event, you’re searching for a ranger, head to the customer facilities.
In the event, you’re trying to get groceries or decide-up additional provides, head into a Web page and also you’ll discover loads of choices on the principal drag of Lake Powell Blvd.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Entrance Charges & Passes

Car Entrance 1-7 Day – $30
Boating Entrance 1-7 Day – $30
Boating Entrance extra vessel 1-7 Day – $30
Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space Annual Move – $55
Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space Annual Vessel Sticker – $50
America the Stunning Move – $80
Free Days 2019
Jan 21: Birthday of MLK
April 20: First day of Nationwide Park Week / Nationwide Junior Ranger Day
Sept 28: Nationwide Public Lands Day
Nov 11: Veterans Day

11. Carl Hayden Customer Heart at Glen Canyon Dam

Location: US-89, Lake Powell, AZ 84533
Hours: 8am-6pm mid-Might to mid-Sept, 8am-4pm Nov-Feb, 8am-5pm the remainder of the 12 months
Highlights: Bookstore, Excursions of the Dam, Interactive Displays

12. Airstream Tenting

In the event, you’re searching for a novel place to remain, ebook an Airstream at Lake Powell. They all arrange for you and positioned properly within the campgrounds.

We completely liked our Three months residing in an Airstream so after we heard that we may get again in a single, we couldn’t resist. It actually felt like a house.

13. Tenting & RVing

In the event you’re trying to camp, there are a number of completely different choices. The nicest campgrounds permit you to make a reservation, have restrooms, laundry, showers, a retailer, dump stations and potable water. Charges do apply based mostly on the positioning, and you could find all the small print right here.

Wahweap Developed Tenting (112 dry campsites, 90 websites with full hook-ups)
Bullfrog Developed Tenting (78 campsites plus an RV park with 24 websites with full hook-ups)
Halls Crossing Developed Tenting (43 campsites plus an RV park with 32 full hook-up websites)

There are additionally these different choices. Except famous, they’re primitive campsites.

Lees Ferry Campground (no reservations, 54 designated websites, $20 per website per evening)
Lone Rock Seaside Primitive Tenting (no reservations, no designated campsites, $14 per car per evening)
Staton Creek, Hite, Soiled Satan, and Farley Primitive Tenting Areas (no reservations, no designated campsites, $12 per car per evening)
Colorado River Primitive Tenting (six designated areas between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry)

Higher and Decrease Antelope Canyon (16.Four mi southeast / 30 min, map)
Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument (23.Eight mi northwest / 27 min, map)
The Wave at Vermilion Cliffs Nationwide Monument (40.1 mi west / 1 hr, map)
White Pocket (66.Four mi west / 2 hr 20 min, map)
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park (142 mi / 2 hr 45 min, map)
Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park (147 mi northwest / 2 hr 35 min, map)
Hovenweep Nationwide Monument (213 mi / Three hr 40 min, map)
Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument (196 mi / Three hr 40 min northeast, map)
Capitol Reef Nationwide Park (249 mi / Four hr 20 min north, map)
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park (254 mi / Four hr 32 min east, map)

Bullfrog Customer Heart

Location: Freeway 276 north of Bullfrog Marina
Hours: 9am-4pm within the Summer season
Highlights: Geology, Human, & Pure Historical past Displays, Life-Dimension Mannequin of a Slot Canyon
Navajo Bridge Interpretive Heart
Location: 1000 Us Hwy 89a, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036
Hours: 9am-5pm April to Oct
Highlights: Out of doors Displays, Self Guided Stroll Throughout Navajo Bridge, Look ahead to California Condor

Escalante Interagency Customer Heart

Location: 755 West Most important Avenue, Escalante, UT 84726
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm mid-Mar to Oct, 8am-4:30pm Oct to Thanksgiving, 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri mid-Nov to mid-Mar
Highlights: Journey Planning Displays, Ecology Displays, Bookstore, Staffed by BLM, NPS, & Forest Service with information on Escalante Grand Staircase Nationwide Monument, Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space, and the Dixie Nationwide Forest

Other Recommended Reading

Eating places + Greatest Locations to Eat in Glen Canyon

Rainbow Room – Serves a breakfast buffet each morning (with the choice to order a la carte as nicely) and a full menu throughout dinner. It has a spectacular panoramic view of the lake.
Driftwood Lounge – An awesome spot to seize drinks, pub meals, and small bites.
Latitude 37 – A floating restaurant accessible by land or water. They serve sandwiches, burgers, and some different signature entrees.
Wahweap Grill – Seize a burger, sandwich, or pizza at this informal spot. It completely hit the spot after we visited for lunch. We additionally noticed individuals drop by to select up a pizza to go.
Wind – In the event, you’re trying to kill a while when you wait, seize an espresso, wine, or charcuterie plate right here.

Keep on the Lodge

100 Lakeshore Drive

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas are correct within the coronary heart of all of the motion and is among the hottest locations to remain within the Web page Lake Powell space.

Situated in Wahweap Marina, you could have a number of room choices, quick access to eating, and actions proper exterior your door.

Different Housing Choices:

Defiance Home Lodge (North Lake Powell)
Household Models (Bullfrog Marina, Halls Crossing & Hite)
Discover the most effective offers on Lake Powell lodges and lodges close to Web page AZ
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