Lake Powell Recreation Area
"A curious ensemble of wonderful features - carved walls, royal arches, glens, alcove gulches, mounds and monuments. We decided to call it Glen Canyon."- John Wesley Powell, 1869
Scientific expeditions brought John Wesley Powell down the Colorado River in 1869. Impressed with the lush glens along he riverside, Powell named the area Glen Canyon. Lake Powell was created when the Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is now one of the most popular vacation spots in the Southwest.
The 186 mile-long lake is the second largest man-made reservoir in the world. The bright turquoise to deep blue water of the lake is surrounded by the colorful surrealistic landscape of buttes, peaks and canyons, making the area a favorite for Hollywood filmmakers. Its sandstone shoreline is longer than the entire West Coast of the United States. You can explore the endless side canyons, inlets and coves, or hike from the shoreline to Anasazi ruins like the Defiance House. Fishing is popular and anglers often catch record-size bass. Trout, walleye, crappie and catfish are also found in the lake.
The area is open all year. From late spring to early fall, swimming, water skiing and other water sports are popular. Boating is a year round activity and is the best way to experience he scenery of Lake Powell. Boat rentals and tours are available at several marinas, but make your reservation early if you want to rent a houseboat.
You won't want to visit Lake Powell without taking a tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument which the Navajo call "rainbow of stone". Daily boat tours from Bullfrog and Wahweap marinas will take you to the 290 foot-high pink sandstone bridge that is sacred to the Navajo Indians. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required if you want to hike the 14 miles into Rainbow Bridge.
Visitor Center
Carl Hayden Visitor Center, Page, AZ, daily, Memorial Day - Labor Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; rest of year, daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Bullfrog Visitor Center, Bullfrog, UT, intermittently in March, daily April - October, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed November - February. Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center, near Lees Ferry, daily mid-April - October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends only, early April and November, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Getting There
Lees Ferry and the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center is located on Arizona Highway 89A. Carl Hayden Visitor Center in Page, AZ is on Highway 89. The Bullfrog Visitor Center is located on Utah Highway 276. Halls Crossing is also reached by Highway 276. Hite is located just off Utah Highway 95.
Accessibility
All visitor centers are handicapped accessible.
For more information call the following phone numbers or visit www.nps.gov/glca
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
National Park Service 435.826.4315
Carl Hayden Visitor Center 520.608.6405
Bullfrog Visitor Center 435.684.2243
Wahweap Marina / Boat Rental 1.800.528.6154
Seasons in Brian Head