Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Scramble down Cathedral Wash Trail

Follow Cathedral Wash trail as it climbs down to meet the Colorado River on its sandy bank. The 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip challenging hike descend into the rocky wash, traveling through the Kaibab Limestone and Toroweap Formations of the Grand Canyon Group. Some rock scrambling required.

From Your Boat To The Bridge

There is one designated trail within the boundaries of Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It runs the length of the monument, from the boat dock on one side, to the border with the Navajo Nation on the other. We ask that you stay on this trail when you visit Rainbow Bridge for your safety and out of respect for the local Native American tribes that hold this place special to them.

Swimming in Lake Powell

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 officially designated swim beaches at Lake Powell or on the Colorado River. Water Quality conditions can change at your favorite swim areas.

Day Trip or Backpack Hike to Coyote Gulch

Open year-round but most popular in Spring and Fall, Coyote Gulch is a tributary of the Escalante River with several entry points for day hiking or backpacking in the Escalante Canyons of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Staircase National Monument. This is a wilderness area, prepare to pack out everything you bring in.

Off Road Vehicles in Glen Canyon

Off-road vehicle use is allowed in the park only on National Park Service-designated ORV routes and areas, delineated by ORV route maps. Some Shoreline Access Areas indicated on the maps may not be available seasonally, due to changes in lake level. Note: There are 388 miles of Designated Roads of which 304 miles are unpaved.

Driving to Alstrom Point

Drive the semi-improved roads to Alstrom Point, in the southwest region of Glen Canyon National recreation Area along the border with Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument near Big Water, UT. Distance: 46 miles round-trip, about 4 hours if you do not stop to look at the scenery Mix of paved and dirt roads, impassable when wet Four-wheel drive recommended for the final five miles and required at the last parts of the road. No RVs.

Contemplate Your Place in the Landscape At The Big Map

The Glen Canyon and Surrounding Area Relief Map sits in a place of honor at the Powell Museum & Archives next to Glen Canyon Conservancy's Flagship office. Use it to help plan your Glen Canyon adventure, or pretend you are in space looking down at the landscape. Whoa.

Driving the Hole in the Rock Road

The Hole-in-the-Rock road is an historic pioneer trail turned path to adventure. This 62 mile (100 km) one-way section runs from Escalante, UT to the western edge of Lake Powell. This road is rough, impassable in inclement weather, and 4WD only for the last 7 miles. Along the way are quite a few trailheads for the Coyote Gulch and other Escalante River trails in Glen Canyon.

Lonely Dell Ranch Historic Site

Hidden between the shade of trees near the muddy Paria River sits Lonely Dell Ranch. This historic site was once home to those who operated the river crossing at Lees Ferry. Life was challenging on the homestead, but the families who chose to live on this secluded outpost left behind a story of hard work and perseverance.

Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive Camping

"Backcountry" Shoreline camping on Lake Powell can range from toughing out the desert winter from your kayak to "roughing it" in a multimillion dollar houseboat and any level of camping/glamping in between. Enjoy the beaches of Lake Powell the way that best suits you.

Take a stroll to Horseshoe Bend Overlook

Below the rim, the Colorado River makes a wide sweep around a sandstone escarpment. Here at Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River created a roughly 1,000 foot (305 m) deep, 270º horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon. Take an easy walk to look over the edge at this wonder.

Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River

A social media darling, Horseshoe Bend has become one of the most recognized and visited places in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The parking lot and trailhead is located off US Highway 89, approximately 5 miles (8 km) south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.   Changes are underway in this busy and beautiful place, including expanded parking and trail maintenance. Please respect construction closures. Much of the rim remains exposed, so watch your footing and keep track of children. Hiking The hike to the overlook is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round-trip over a hardened path. The trail is accessible under the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are two shade strctures along the length of the trail, but not at the overlook. There are railings at the edge of the overlook's viewing platform, but not along the trail. As with any hike, be prepared with plenty of water, sturdy footwear, sunscreen, and other basic hiking essentials. Know that there is little shade along the Horseshoe Bend Trail. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Where Am I? Horseshoe Bend has been featured as a landmark for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, the Cities of Page AZ, Kanab UT, St George UT, and the Navajo Nation. Boundary lines are very close in some places. Horseshoe Bend itself, and that part of the Colorado River, are a part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. About nine miles downstream is where Grand Canyon National Park begins. US Highway 89, the land north of the trail to the Horseshoe Bend overlook, and the parking area for the trailhead are in the City of Page. The land south of the parking area and the trail and overlook are on the Navajo Nation. This mixture of jurisdictions provides a unique opportunity in the management of this magnificent trail and overlook. An Entrenched Meander Below the rim, the Colorado River makes a wide sweep around a sandstone escarpment. On its long downward journey to the sea, the river meandered, sometimes making wide bends, but always seeking the path of least resistance. Around 5 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau uplifted and the meandering rivers that crossed the ancient landscape were trapped in their beds. Over time, the rivers cut through the uplifted layers of sandstone. Here at Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River created a roughly 1,000 ft (305 m) deep, 270º horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon. Parking Fees Horseshoe Bend itself is in the park, but the parking lot is on city land. The City of Page requires visitors to pay for parking at the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. National Park Service passes do not apply for the parking lot. Contact the City of Page for questions about the parking at Horseshoe Bend at their website here.  PLEASE NOTE: On Holidays and busy weekends, the City of Page may require all visitors to use a shuttle to visit once the parking lot is full. Check with them if you plan to visit during busy times.

North Wash Takeout

North Wash Takeout is a raft takeout in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.   Upper Lot is long term parking. No camping allowed. Lower Lot is staging area only. Keep road clear for traffic to flow. Ramp is steep. 4 wheel drive highly recommended. Watch edge of ramp. Not designed to be a boat launch.

American Placer Corporation Office

Headquarters of Charles H. Spencer’s gold mining company Built 1911 First of Spencer’s eight stone buildings. Failing to recover gold, Spencer abandoned his mining outpost around 1912. Cowboys, miners, and travelers occasionally camped in the empty building. It briefly functioned as a post office in 1922, though no mail was sent or delivered.  

Antelope Point Entrance Station

Welcome to Antelope Point Marina at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Antelope Point Holdings LLC Is an authorized Concessioner of the National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and a Lessee of the Navajo Nation.  From here you can drive down the access road to the public launch ramp. If lake levels allow, you can launch your own vessel. For marina services, including valet launch, RV park, gift shop, boat tours, boat rentals, and restaurant, turn right onto Marina Road.  If you already have an entrance pass (vessel Expanded Amenity Fee), just show it (your vessel) to the attendant. If you need to purchase your weekly pass you can do it here. If you would like to an annual pass, you will need to visit any other entrance station in Glen Canyon. A flagpole at the booth indicates whether there are people there. If there is no person in the booths to help, you can use the Automated Fee machine for all relevant passes. Vessel Expanded Amenity Fee Rates A Glen Canyon Weekly Pass allows use for one single private motorized vessel for 1-7 days. Additional private motorized vessels on the same trailer are charged according to length. A Glen Canyon Annual Pass allows use in Glen Canyon for one motorized vessel for one calendar year Vessel Length Weekly Fee Annual Fee Personal Water Craft (16 feet and below) $20.00 $40.00 26 feet and below $30.00 $60.00 27 - 40 feet $50.00 $100.00 41 - 60 feet $100.00 $200.00 61 - 80 feet $200.00 $400.00 81 - 100 feet $400.00 $800.00 Over 100 feet $800.00 $1,600.00 Please visit Antelope Point Marina's website for more information about fees and passes.

Antelope Point Public Launch Ramp

Antelope Point Public Launch Ramp, located near Antelope Point Marina, is currently only available for non-motorized paddlecraft hand launching. The public launch ramp at the Antelope Point Marina area. Put your vessel on Lake Powell here. Large enough for multiple vessels to launch at the same time. Convenient launch for visitors who already own a houseboat at Antelope Point Marina to launch their other vessels. The ramp is long and changes when the lake level changes. Prepare for a long walk back down the ramp after you park your vessel trailer. Courtesy docks have a thirty minute time limit. Fuel docks and pumpout station just downstream of ramp. The ramp is unavailable to motorized launching when the lake level is below 3588'. You can still hand launch non-motorized vessels when the ramp is closed to motorized launching. The ramp may also close for winter. All vessels exiting Lake Powell must follow decontamination protocols to keep quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species out of other bodies of water. Contact Antelope Point Marina for information about their private valet launch ramp.

Balanced Rock at Lees Ferry

  Thousands of years ago a huge rock boulder broke from the cliff above and tumbled to a stop here. The hard conglomerate boulder compressed the softer dirt directly beneath, making it resistant to erosion. The boulder also acted as a massive umbrella, protecting the stone beneath from years of wind and rain. Over time, at least 6 feet (2.8 m) of the surrounding loose ground was carried away, leaving an ever-growing pedestal with a balanced rock perched on top. You can see this process taking place under many rocks in the area. At some point, the sheltering boulder may become too much weight for its pedestal, toppling and taking another fateful tumble.

Beehives Trailhead

Distance Varies Easy Explore the area across from the Wahweap Entrance road for a self-guided adventure through slickrock sand formations. Watch your step, fragile rock shelves underfoot. Trailhead: Parking to explore this area is reached near the Beehives Campground. From US Hwy 89 north of Carl Hayden Visitor Center, turn let onto dirt road 1/4 mile before the turnoff to Wahweap South Entrance. Drive past the Beehives campground to the designated parking area for Beehive area hikes

Bullfrog Entrance Station

Welcome to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Bullfrog Entrance is the gateway to the Bullfrog Marina at the upper end of Lake Powell. From here you can drive down the scenic road to Defiance House Lodge, launch your own boat, or just come enjoy the views. If you already have an entrance pass (Vessel Expanded Amenity Fee pass), just show it (your boat's sticker) to the attendant. If you need to purchase your weekly or choose to purchase an annual pass, you can do it here. A flagpole at the first booth indicates whether there are people there. If there is no person in the booths to help, you can use the Automated Fee machine for all relevant passes. Visit our Fees & Passes page or the Fees tab on the NPS App for entrance fee information. Vessel Expanded Amenity Fee Rates A Glen Canyon Weekly Pass allows use for one single private motorized vessel for 1-7 days. Additional private motorized vessels on the same trailer are charged according to length. A Glen Canyon Annual Pass allows use in Glen Canyon for one motorized vessel for one calendar year Vessel Length Weekly Fee Annual Fee Personal Water Craft (16 feet and below) $20.00 $40.00 26 feet and below $30.00 $60.00 27 - 40 feet $50.00 $100.00 41 - 60 feet $100.00 $200.00 61 - 80 feet $200.00 $400.00 81 - 100 feet $400.00 $800.00 Over 100 feet $800.00 $1,600.00

Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp

Bullfrog Main Launch ramp, located near the Defiance House Lodge at Bullfrog. A spur ramp off the side of this ramp is available for vessels less than 25' long. The main launch ramp in the Bullfrog Marina area. Put your boat on Lake Powell here. Large enough for multiple boats, including houseboats, to launch at the same time. The ramp is long and changes when the lake level changes. Prepare for a long walk back down the ramp after you park your boat trailer. Courtesy docks have a thirty minute time limit. Fuel docks and pumpout station just downstream of ramp. 14-day parking is at the top of the ramp. The ramp is operable for launching motorized vessels until the lake level is below 3578'. The spur off the side of th ramp is available for vessels less than 25' long until the lake is below 3540'. All boats exiting Lake Powell must follow decontamination protocols to keep quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species out of other bodies of water. Check your home state's regulations. Always Clean, Drain, and Dry your vessel and gear. Check ramp conditions before you arrive on our Low Water Webpage.

Bullfrog North Launch Ramp

Bullfrog North Launch Ramp The launch ramp is located north of the Boat Rentals dock at Bullfrog. The ramp is long and changes when the lake level changes. It is operable for motorized vessels when the lake level elevation is at 3525 ft or above. There are only two lanes for boats, including houseboats, to launch at the same time. The ramp is long and changes when the lake level changes. Access to the left lane may be easier than to the right. Prepare for a long walk back down the ramp after you park your boat trailer. Courtesy docks have a thirty minute time limit. Fuel docks and pumpout station just downstream of ramp. 14-day parking is at the top of the ramp. This ramp is available with the use of boilerplate extensions, down to elevation 3525 ft. All boats exiting Lake Powell must follow decontamination protocols to keep quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species out of other bodies of water. Check your home state's regulations. Always Clean, Drain, and Dry your vessel and gear. Check ramp conditions before you arrive on our Changing Lake Levels Webpage.

Cathedral Wash at Lees Ferry

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip Wet at the bottom of the canyon, high walls with rock scrambling needed Canyon walls rise as you follow a mostly dry wash to the Colorado River. This adventure has no major technical challenges, but scrambling and careful decision-making are needed to choose safe routes over ledges and dropoffs. Named after church-like Cathedral Rock at the head of this small canyon, your journey will take you deeper and deeper through Kaibab Limestone and Toroweap Formations until ending at the river, where canyon debris created Cathedral Wash Rapid.   While this hike is quite scenic and popular, please know your limits. The wash layout changes throughout the year due to flash floods, rockfalls, and weather. It is easy to cliff out, overheat, or get stuck in mud. Bring good shoes, water, and and any other hiking essentials you need. Securing ropes for technical climbing is not permitted. DO NOT enter this wash if rain is forecasted. Flash floods can be deadly.  Trailhead: Follow the Lees Ferry access road 1.3 miles (2.1 km). The trailhead is at the pull out on your left. You can access both upper and lower Cathedral Wash from this parking area. No overnight parking.

Dam Overlook Trailhead

Distance: 940 feet (286 m) Easy This very short walk takes you to a viewpoint on the canyon rim high above the Colorado River. It affords an unparalleled view of the river, the canyon, and Glen Canyon Dam. This scenic view provides spectacular vistas of the Colorado River as it flows through Glen Canyon and of Glen Canyon Dam itself. From the parking area, follow the metal handrail down the uneven rock steps.  Trailhead: From U.S. Hwy. 89, turn west on Scenic View Drive, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Take the first road to the right, and park in the parking area at the end of the road. (You may also access Scenic View Drive just south of the Park Headquarters building.)  Please note: The guard rails are there for your safety. Please do not climb on the walls or on the rocks.

Bullfrog Visitor Center

Open seasonally. Exhibits relating to geology and the human and natural history of Glen Canyon, including a life-size model of a slot canyon! Ancestral Puebloan and pioneer artifacts. Restrooms are located 24/7 on the outside of the building near the front entrance. Some amenities are not available when the visitor center is closed.

Carl Hayden Visitor Center

Main visitor center for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Exhibits about recreation and historic water use. Tours of Glen Canyon Dam are closed. Movies in auditorium. Store operated by Glen Canyon Conservancy.

Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center

Bookstore, outdoor exhibits, and self guided walks across the historic Navajo Bridge. This is a popular spot to look for California Condors.

Escalante Interagency Visitor Center

This center is jointly run by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Bureau of Land Management), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (National Park Service), and Dixie National Forest (National Forest Service). It features outdoor exhibits focusing on trip planning and interior exhibits on the scientific research surrounding the Escalante region. Permits for hikes into Glen Canyon Wilderness must be obtained here in person. Call ahead for permit status and road conditions. 435-826-5499.

Glen Canyon Conservancy Flagship

An official visitor center for the state of Arizona, and acting as Glen Canyon's supplementary visitor center in Page AZ, the Flagship office and retail store is a great place to start your Glen Canyon adventure. Our partners Glen Canyon Conservancy offer the historic big relief map that originally anchored the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Let the knowledgeable staff help you plan your trip, browse the retail store for books, maps, and gear that you'll need during your visit.

Halls Crossing Contact Station

A small cabin at the Halls Crossing marina. Exhibits about aquatic invasive species, boating, and Lake Powell history.

Project Profile: Plug Orphaned Wells in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

My Park Story : Diana Greymountain

World CA Condor Update – 2020

My Park Story: Kelsey Shores

Developing a Regional Paleontology Geodatabase – 350 Million Years in the Making

NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah

Archeology and Industry: Gold Mining in Glen Canyon

World CA Condor Update – 2022 Population Status

My Park Story: Deb Gardecki

My Park Story: Jeremy Childs

My Park Story: Nick Nyquist

SW CA Condor Update - 2014-03 (March)