Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon In A Nutshell
More than one million acres of incredibly diverse and beautiful land await you in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Lake Powell forms the heart of Glen Canyon, but there is so much more to see beyond the lake! The canyons, buttes and desert sands invite you to discover a place that tells the story of nearly 650 million years of the earth's history.
Glen Canyon NRA is nestled in the center of the Grand Circle, a collection of seven national parks, eight national monuments and numerous state parks, historical sites, prehistoric Indian ruins, colorful ghost towns and stunning geologic formations that reach from northern Arizona into southern Utah.
Established by Congress in 1972, Glen Canyon NRA is one of only 18 national recreation areas under the National Park Service (Lake Mead was the first). National Recreation Areas often consist of lakes and reservoirs created by major dams and are often located in urban areas. The park is the 6th largest national park unit in the lower 48 states!
The park is open 365 days a year. A seven-day entrance permit costs $15 per vehicle and an annual pass costs $30. For boats, a seven-day entrance permit costs $16 per boat, each additional boat $8, and an annual pass costs $30 per boat. Stop at a visitor center or ranger station for current park information, or visit www.nps.gov/glca.
The America the Beautiful— National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is available to the general public for $80 and provides access to Federal recreation sites that charge entrance fees for one year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder and up to three additional adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling (888) ASK USGS or via the Internet at www.parkpass.net. Lifetime passes are available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or over ($10 Senior Pass) or those with permanent disabilities (free with the required documentation). Visit www.parkpass.net for more detailed information.
Getting to Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
By Land: There are two main entry points to Lake Powell. From the south, drive two miles north of Page, Arizona, on U.S. Highway 89 to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam. From the north, take Utah Highway 276 to Bullfrog Visitor Center, which is on the highway just before you reach the lake. A free NPS brochure on Glen Canyon NRA, containing a detailed local map, is available at both visitor centers. For marina access information, please see page 20.
By Air: Great Lakes Airlines offers service from Phoenix to Page, Arizona. Several services at the Page Airport can provide the last link to your Glen Canyon destination. Free shuttle buses, rental cars, and charter and scenic air services are available to take you to Wahweap, Antelope Point and Page. Public airstrips with limited tie-downs serve those visitors headed up-lake to the marinas at Bullfrog or Halls Crossing. Pilots of small aircraft can arrange pickup for guests of Bullfrog and Halls Crossing Marinas by communication (Unicom frequency 122.8) before landing at the nearby airstrip. ARAMARK provides free shuttle service to Halls Crossing and Bullfrog. Please call (435) 684-3000 to make arrangements.
Visitor Centers
Carl Hayden Visitor Center has a large-scale relief map of the Colorado Plateau region that can help you to orient yourself. Audiovisual exhibits are available on the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, power operations and Glen Canyon NRA's scenic highlights. It is open daily all year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with longer hours in summer. Please call (928) 608-6404 or visit online at www.nps.gov/glca for more information. Note: Due to heightened security, visitors may not bring packs or large purses into the Visitor Center.
Bullfrog Visitor Center offers current weather and lake conditions, general park information, a bookstore and exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area, including a scale model of a slot canyon, an extremely narrow gorge with convoluted walls that is taller than it is wide. You can often touch both walls with your outstretched arms. The visitor center is open seasonally. Call (435) 684-7400 for more information.
Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center near Lees Ferry features outdoor exhibits and a pedestrian walkway over the Colorado River. It is open April through October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (928) 355-2319 for more information.
Escalante Interagency Visitor Center (NPS/BLM/USFS) is located in the town of Escalante, UT and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April through November; and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, December through March. Call (435) 826-4315 for more information.
Smaller NPS offices at Dangling Rope, Halls Crossing, Wahweap, Lees Ferry and Hite are open on a limited basis during the summer. For general information, write the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040. For information about services and facilities in nearby Page, Arizona contact the Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 727, Page, AZ 86040; call toll-free at (888) 261-7243 or visit online at www.pagelakepowellchamber.org.
Glen Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
