Imagine a lake that covers over 1.2 million acres! Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area offers unique opportunities for water-based and backcountry
recreation. Lake Powell stretches for hundreds of miles from
Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange
Cliffs of southern Utah, and, all along the way, there are
scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a panorama of human history.
Photo Courtesy of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging
Outdoor Activities
Opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, scuba diving,
swimming, and backcountry hiking abound.
View Larger Map
Transportaion
By Boat
Lake Powell: The only form of transportation between marinas and
in the backcountry of Lake Powell is by boat.
Dangling Rope, UT: This marina is accessible only by boat, at buoy
42.
By Car
Wahweap, AZ (PDF Map 609KB) 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 (PDF Map 445KB) 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(PDF Map 792KB:
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 (PDF Map 904KB): 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 (PFD map 855KB): The Bullfrog Visitor Center is located
on Utah Highway 276. Ferry service is provided from Bullfrog to Halls
Crossing during the summer season at 9:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM and 3:00PM,
and in the winter season at 9:00AM and 3:00PM. These times may vary
throughout the season, and there is always a chance of a disruption
in service, so call 435-684-3000 for up-to-date ferry information.
In-park shuttle service is available at Bullfrog.
Halls Crossing, UT (PDF Map 861KB): Halls Crossing is reaching by
Utah Highway 276. Ferry service is provided from Halls Crossing to
Bullfrog during the summer season at 8:00AM, 10:00AM, NOON, 2:00PM
and 4:00PM, and in the winter season at 8:00 AM and 2:00PM. These
times may vary throughout the season, and there is always a chance
of a disruption in service, so call 435-684-3000 for up-to-date ferry
information. 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.
Nearest Airport
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.
Operating Hours & Seasons
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.
Office Hours
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Headquarters, Page, AZ, Monday
- Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed 12 noon to 1 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Glen Canyon Visitor Centers
Carl Hayden Visitor Center, Page, AZ, daily, Memorial Day - Labor
Day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; daily, December through February, 8 a.m. to
4 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 April, daily May - Labor Day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed mid September
- March.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.
Entrance Fee
1-7 Day Vehicle Pass - $15Admits one single, private, non-commercial
vehicle and all its passengers. 1-7 Day Individual Permit - $7 per
personAdmits one individual when entering on foot, or bicycle. Not
to exceed $15 vehicle fee. Individuals 15 years of age and younger
are admitted free.Individual Permit (organized non-profit groups)
- $7 per personONLY applies to organized non-profit groups (service
organizations, scouts, religious groups, college/school groups not
qualifying for a fee waiver). Individuals under the age of 16 are
admitted free.Glen Canyon NRA Annual Pass - $30Allows unlimited entry
to Glen Canyon for 12 months from date of purchase.NOTE: The America
the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual,
Senior, and Access Passes will be available beginning January 1, 2007.America
the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass -
$80Provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge
an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Pass is valid for one year from
date of purchase. Pass admits the passholder/s and passengers in a
non-commercial vehicle at per vechicle fee areas, and passholder +
3 adults, at per person areas (children under 16 are admitted free).America
the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass-Senior
Pass - $10A lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
age 62 and over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal
recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity fee.
The pass admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial
vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and passholder + 3 adults, at per
person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). Proof of age
and residency is required. Pass must be obtained in person.America
the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass - Access
Pass - FREEA lifetime pass issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents
with a permanent disability. The pass provides access to, and use
of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity
fee. The pass admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial
vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and passholder + 3 adults, at per
person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). Pass must
be obtained in person. America the Beautiful- National Parks and Federal
Recreation Lands Pass - Volunteer Pass - FreeThis pass is for volunteers
acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis. It provides access
to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or
Standard Amenity fee. Pass is valid for one year from date of award.
The pass admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial
vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and passholder + 3, at per person
fee areas. Contact the VIP coordinator at 928-608-6200 to learn about
volunteer opportunites.Recreation information for all Federal agencies
can be found at: www.recreation.gov*All National Park Passes, Golden
Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports
will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.
Tour Fees
Fees are assessed based on the passenger capacity of the vehicle.
* Sedan 1-6 people $25 + $7pp
* Van/Bus 7-25 people $40
* Motor Coach 26+ people $100Boating * $30 - annual vessel permit
valid from Jan 1- Dec 31 for each motorized vessel
* $16 - valid 1-7 days for first motorized vessel
* $8 - valid 1-7 days for each additional motorized vesselNote: Entrance
fees do not include ferry charges.
Camping Fees
Lees Ferry Campground * $10 per night / per site
* 55 developed sites - no hookupsStanton Creek, Hite, Farley Canyon,
and Dirty Devil * $6 per night / per vehicle
* Primitive CampingLone Rock Beach * $8 per night / per vehicle
* Beach Camping AreaCamping is limited to 14 consecutive days, 30
days maximum per season. No camping is permitted at Rainbow
Bridge National Monument.Camping is not subject to fee waivers.
A 50% discount applies to holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access
Passport. Holder of the passport must occupy the discounted site.
Seperate entrance fees apply at Lone Rock, Lees Ferry,and Stanton
Creek areas. Note: Additional developed campgrounds, operated by Lake
Powell Resorts & Marinas, are available at Wahweap, Bullfrog,
and Halls Crossing. For details and rates call 1-800-528-6154.
Visitor Centers
Bullfrog Visitor Center
Open intermittently in April 8 am - 5 pm
May through Labor Day 8 am - 5 pm
Closed from approximately mid September to March 31
Phone: 435-684-7423
Location: Highway 276 north of Bullfrog Marina
Attractions: Exhibits relating to geology and the human and natural
history of Glen Canyon. Ancestral Puebloan ("anasazi") and
pioneer artifacts. A life-size model of a slot canyon. Bookstore,
restrooms, medical clinic (May thru early October only).
Carl Hayden Visitor CenterCarl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon
DamSummer hours (call for days) 8 am – 6 pm MST;Winter Hours
(December through February) daily, 8 am - 4 pm MST;Rest of year open
daily 8 am – 5 pm MST;Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year’s DayPhone: 928-608-6404. Tours of the Dam: 928-608-6072Location:
Highway 89A on west side of Glen Canyon DamAttractions: Free tours
of the dam, exhibits, video shows, a relief map of the entire Glen
Canyon area. Restrooms and a bookstore. Potential Junior Rangers are
invited to come earn a badge.As a federal power plant facility, security
measures are in place. While no bags, purses, knives, weapons, or
food are allowed inside the building, wallets, cameras, and water
bottles are welcome.
Navajo
Bridge Interpretive Center
Open daily 9 am – 5 pm MST April through OctoberPhone: 928-355-2320
Location: Highway 89A on west side of Navajo BridgeAttractions: Bookstore,
outdoor exhibits, and self guided walks across the historic Navajo
Bridge. This is a popular spot to look for a California Condor.
Wahweap District Ranger Office
Wahweap District Ranger OfficeOpen daily 9 am – 5 am MST
Memorial Day through Labor DayPhone: 928-608-6531
The office is located on Wahweap Drive across the street from Lake
Powell Resort Lodge. It has a bookstore and information about the
area.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Glen Canyon
Campgrounds
Campgrounds Operated by National Park Service
Lees Ferry Campground
54 designated sites. No hookups. Modern bathroom/comfort station,
potable water available, launch ramp 2 miles, gas and store at Marble
Canyon about 5 miles. No reservations. $10 per night.Lone Rock Beach
Primitive Camping
Primitive camping is on a sandy beach or in dunes. No designated campsites.
4 micro flush toilets, 6 vault toilets, 1 comfort station/wheelchair
accessible, outdoor cold shower, Off Road Vehicle area, dump station,
potable water (seasonal), and day use area. No launch ramp. $8 per
night. No reservations.
Stanton Creek Primitive Camping
Primitive camping is on a sandy beach. No designated campsites. $6
per night. No reservations.
Campgrounds Operated by the Park's Consessioner
Visit www.lakepowell.com for camping feesWahweap Developed Camping
112 dry campsites (no hook-ups), 90 full hook-ups, and 6 group camping
sites. Facilities include restrooms, laundry, showers, store, phones,
dump station and potable water. The amphitheater, picnic area and
swim beach are nearby. To make reservations for full hook-ups call
800-528-6154. To make reservations for group camping, call 928-645-1059.
Reservations are not taken for dry campsites. Fees vary.Bullfrog &
Halls Crossing Developed Camping
Bullfrog: 78 sites, restroom, phones, dump station, potable water
station, ½ mile to laundry, store and post office and launch
ramp. No reservations. Fees apply. The concessioner also operates
a seperate RV park. 24 sites, full hookups, restrooms, and showers.
½ mile to laundry, store, post office. No launch ramp. For
reservations call 800-528-6154. Fees apply.
Halls Crossing: 63 sites, 2 group sites, dump station, potable water,
cold shower. Laundry , store, gas, phone, ½ mile. The concessioner
also operates an RV park with 32 full hook-up sites. ½ mile
to store, laundry, and showers. For reservations call 800-528-6154.
Fees apply.
Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive Camping
When planning a camping trip by boat or 4-wheel drive road in
Glen Canyon, it is best to buy a map beforehand. These show the side
canyons, good hiking spots, points of interest and marinas, explain
the navigation system, and may give fishing information.
In an emergency you will need to report your location on Marine Band
16 or call 1-800-528-4351.
There is no camping fee or permit required to camp on the lake in
undeveloped areas. However, entrance fees and vessel use fees apply.
You can camp anywhere on the shorelines of Lake Powell except in developed
marinas.
The main channel varies in depth from 100 – 600 feet deep. It
is recommended that you anchor on a beach for the night as high winds
can move boats into rocks causing damage. There are no motor vehicles,
ORV’s or bicycles allowed in Glen Canyon's roadless areas.
All campsites are required to have a portable toilet unless toilets
are available on the vessel or are within 200 yards of the campsite.
Regular water quality checks are done to ensure compliance with sanitation
laws. Pets are allowed on beaches as long as waste is cleaned up.
Dispose of waste properly. Burying waste of any kind on the beach
is prohibited. Waste may not be contained in plastic bags unless it
is a NPS approved Waste Bag Containment System, which must be disposed
of in the trash.
When anchoring multiple houseboats on the same beach, park at least
100 feet apart to help reduce carbon monoxide buildup. It is not a
good idea to tie powerboat or jet-ski lines to houseboat anchor lines
as they can cause the anchor lines to come loose. Do not camp under
overhanging rocks as down pouring rain can sink a vessel. Ground fires
of only wood are allowed below the high water line. Fires must be
contained to 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. Fireworks are illegal.
Lake Powell Marinas
There are five marinas on Lake Powell, four of them with launch ramps.
Wahweap Marina
Wahweap Marina, 5.5 miles (8.9km) from the visitor center along Lakeshore
Drive, is operated by ARAMARK, the park concessioner. It provides
a variety of services, including: lodging, food services, gift shops,
2 campgrounds (one with hook-ups), laundry, showers, and a service
station. Full marina services include: slips, buoys, boat rentals,
tours, repairs, dry storage and fueling.
The city of Page, 2 miles (3.2km) from the dam and visitor center,
has stores, motels, restaurants, churches, hospital, and museum. Page
can be reached by surfaced roads year-round, and by air from Phoenix.
Phone Numbers: National Park Service Information: (928) 608-6200
National Park Service Emergency: (800) 582-4351
ARAMARK, Wahweap: (928) 645-2433 ARAMARK, Toll Free: (800) 528-6154
Antelope Point Marina
Antelope Point Marina is located approximately 5 miles uplake from
Glen Canyon Dam on the main channel. Land access is from Highway 98.
This marina features a public launch ramp, day use area, and dump
station. Antelope Point Holdings, one of the park's concessioners,
provides boat rental, valet launching, slip rental, boat repair, boat
pupmpout, and a small convenience store. A restaurant is currently
under construction.
Phone: 928-645-5900.
Dangling Rope Marina
At Dangling Rope, the National Park Service provides a ranger station,
restrooms, free boat pump-out station, and emergency communications.
During the summer season, interpretive rangers are stationed at nearby
Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Rangers from Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area patrol Rainbow Bridge National Monument and provide
visitor information, even though the monument is a separate unit of
the National Park Service and is subject to more stringent regulations
regarding visitor use & activities than is Glen Canyon NRA.
Dangling Rope is only accessible by water. There is no boat launching
available. ARAMARK, the park concessioner, provides limited services
at Dangling Rope, including: boat fuel, minor boat repair, and a supply
store including some groceries. This is the only place to get boat
fuel between Wahweap and the Halls Crossing/Bullfrog area.
Halls Crossing Marina
Halls Crossing is located on Lake Powell, about 95 (153km) miles upstream
from Glen Canyon Dam, directly across the lake from Bullfrog Marina.
The National Park Service maintains a Boater Contact Station at Halls
Crossing that is staffed intermittently during the summer. It also
provides a launch ramp and free boat pump-out station.
ARAMARK, the park concessioner, provides many visitor services, including:
housekeeping units, grocery store, 2 campgrounds (one with hook-ups),
laundry, showers, service station, and boat repair. Cal Black Memorial
Airport is located approximately 10 miles (16km) east of Halls Crossing.
The State of Utah maintains a regularly scheduled ferry, capable of
carrying cars, trucks, rv's and trailers, which runs between Halls
Crossing and Bullfrog . This is a fee service and is available on
a first come, first served basis. The ferry is occasionally out of
service for repairs. If ferry service is crucial to your trip, we
recommend you call ahead to verify that it is in service.
Phone: NPS, Halls Crossing: 435-684-7460
Phone: Aramark, Halls Crossing, ferry information, 435-684-7000
Bullfrog Marina
Bullfrog Marina offers the widest variety of services on the lake
outside of Wahweap.The National Park Service provides a launch ramp,
portable toilet dump station, free boat pump-out station, picnic area,
fish cleaning station, and paved landing strip for aircraft.
The concessioner, ARAMARK, provides a full complement of visitor services,
including: a lodge, housekeeping units, restaurant, gift shop, grocery
store, 2 campgrounds (one with hook-ups), laundry, showers, service
station, boat rental, boat tours, and boat repair. There is a post
office in Bullfrog.
The State of Utah maintains a regularly scheduled ferry, capable of
carrying cars, trucks, rv's and trailers, which runs between Bullfrog
and Halls Crossing. This is a fee service and is available on a first
come, first served basis. The ferry is occasionally out of service
for repairs. If ferry service is crucial to your trip, we recommend
you call ahead to verify that it is in service.
Phone: NPS, Bullfrog: 435-684-7400
Phone: Aramark, Bullfrog, ferry information: 435-684-3000
Hite
There are currently no water-based facilities or launching capabilities
at Hite. There is a land-based pay-at-the-pump gas station and a small
convenience store that is open intermittently. There is a ranger station
at Hite that is also staffed intermittently.
Lees Ferry
Lees Ferry in the 1900's
The ferry operated from 1872 until 1928.Lees Ferry is the only place
within Glen Canyon where visitors can drive to the Colorado River
in over 700 miles of Canyon Country, right up to the first "rapid"
in the Grand Canyon. A natural corridor between Utah and Arizona,
Lees Ferry figured prominently in the exploration and settlement of
Northern Arizona. Lees Ferry is now a meeting of the old and the new.
Lees Ferry Historic Site
Just upstream from the Lees Ferry Launch Ramp is the ferry-crossing
site and several historic buildings. A "Walking Tour Guide"
may be purchased at the entrance to the area. It tells the story of
the different ferryboats and the pioneers, miners, Indians, and tourists
who crossed here from 1872 until 1928 Of special interest is Charles
H. Spencer’s attempt to extract gold from the clay hills here
in 1910. Two of the stone buildings, a steam boiler, and the remains
of a sunken paddlewheel steamboat remain from his efforts.
Lonely Dell Ranch Historic Site
This historic ranch, near the mouth of the Paria River, was home
to the families who operated Lees Ferry. The place was so isolated
that the families working at the crossing needed to be self-sufficient,
growing food for themselves and their animals. Hard labor changed
the barren desert into a green oasis. The main ranch buildings are
about 700 feet (213 m) up the dirt road from the parking area. A "Walking
Tour Guide" may be purchased at the entrance to the ranch. The
complete tour of the orchard, log cabins, stone ranch house, and pioneer
cemetery is about a 1-mile (1.6-km) round trip. There are picnic tables
and shade trees at the ranch. Take drinking water with you.
Looking down at Lees Ferry from the cliffs above,
you can just see the launch ramp on the right.
Lees Ferry Today
Lees Ferry continues to be a center of modern activity. Here at
the very start of the Grand Canyon, adventurous river runners launch
their boats for trips down the canyon. Fishermen enjoy world-class
trout fishing upstream to Glen Canyon Dam. Backpackers finish their
4 or 5 day hike through the Paria Canyon Wilderness Area here. Day-hikers
can explore canyons and desert ridges.
Lees Ferry is 42 miles (61 km) from Page via Hwy 89 and Hwy 89A. It
is 85 miles (125 km) from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon via Hwy
89A and Hwy 67. The Lees Ferry Junction and Park Entrance is just
west of Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center. A paved road leads 5 miles
(8 km) to the Ferry area. A National Park Service campground, ranger
station, and public launch ramp are the only services available at
Lees Ferry. There is a gas station, store, post office, motel and
restaurant at Marble Canyon, next to the park entrance. More services
are found west on Hwy 89A.
Escalante
The Escalante Subdistrict has no marina or launch ramp to access to
Lake Powell. It does, however, provide for some of the best backcountry
hiking and camping experiences within Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area. The lower section of the Escalante River, approximately 12 miles,
can be reached by boat from the main channel of Lake Powell. All of
the canyons in the Escalante drainage feature excellent hiking opportunities.
Escalante is a small town, typical of rural southern Utah, however
most major tourist services are available, including: motels, a Bed
& Breakfast,RV Parks, gas stations (including towing service and
auto mechanic), restaurants, grocery stores, a farm supply center,
art galleries and gift shops. There is a medical clinic that is open
Monday through Friday. The nearest hospital is in Panguitch, about
70 miles west of Escalante. The Escalante Interagency Office is located
on the west side of town. This houses a visitor information center,
as well as the combined offices for the Dixie National Forest, the
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Escalante Subdistrict
of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. To reach them, phone: 435-826-5499.
There are also numerous Forest Service, BLM, and State Park campgrounds
in the area.
Early Days
The Escalante River was named in 1872 by A.H. Thompson, a member of
the Powell Survey who passed through the upper basin area on a mapping
expedition. He was travelling through the area again in 1875 when
a group of Mormon pioneers were planning a settlement in the area.
Thompson suggested they name their new town Escalante. The name comes
from the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776. Two Spanish priests,
frs. Dominguez and Escalante, traversed much of the southwest in a
grueling expedition in an attempt to reach California from Santa Fe,
New Mexico. The party did not reach the Escalante drainage, but Thompson,
who knew the history of the area, thought it would be a good way in
which to honor one of the first known explorers of the Southwest.Ranching
was one of the primary occupations of the new village and the cowboys
soon began to push their way into the many canyons of the Escalante
seeking good grass and lost cattle. They were among the first non-Indians
to see the arches, bridges, alcoves, and other wonders which draw
visitors today.Just prior to World War II, a proposal was put forth
in Congress to create Escalante National Park. This proposed park
included not only the canyons of the Escalante, but most of southeastern
Utah. World War II intervened however and the proposal was all but
forgotten in the crush of legislation related to fighting the war.
Afterwards, some felt that national priorities had changed and Congress
was, perhaps, more reluctant to restrict extractive activities such
as mining on so large a chunk of land. Eventually, several national
parks and monuments were created in this area, though even their combined
size did not approach that of the original Escalante National Park
- the park that almost was.
Orange Cliffs
The Orange Cliffs portion of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,
bordered by Canyonlands
National Park, is one of the most scenic areas of the Colorado
Plateau region. This is dry desert country with an annual average
precipitation of 5 - 9" (13 - 23 cm). Elevations vary from approximately
3700' to 7000' (1128 - 2134m) above sea level. Temperatures range
from 110°F (43°C) in the summer to -20°F (-29°C) in
the winter. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.
For your safety and the protection of this unique and fragile landscape,
please follow all regulations.
REGULATIONS
* All overnight backcountry use requires a permit AND a camping
reservation. Reservation requests are handled only by Canyonlands
National Park. Requests will be accepted ONLY by mail or fax. For
further information, call (435)-259-7164 or 4351. Maximum stay is
14 nights. Vehicles campers must camp in designated sites. Backpackers
must camp in designated zones. The only exception to this is the section
south of Clearwater Canyon. Check bulletin boards or ranger stations
for further information.
* Groups size limits are 5 people for backpacking and 9 people/3 vehicles
for vehicle campsites. There is one group site at Flint Seep which
can accommodate up to 16 people and 5 vehicles.
All vehicles must stay on designated roadways. Mountain bikes are
considered vehicles and are subject to all vehicle regulations including
camping restrictions. All motor vehicles must be street legal with
license plates. All operators must be licensed. ATV's are not permitted.
* Wood fires are prohibited. In designated vehicle campsites, charcoal
fires are allowed with a fire pan. Users must pack out all ash and
unburned charcoal. No wood cutting or collecting is allowed.
* Pets are NOT allowed in Canyonlands or the Orange Cliffs unit of
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
* Loaded firearms, bows and arrows and similar devices, weapons, and
fireworks are not allowed. Hunting is permitted in Glen Canyon, during
hunting season, with proper license only.
* Vehicle campers must provide and use a washable, reusable toilet
system and must pack out all human & pet waste. Backpackers may
dig a hole 6-8" (15-20 cm) deep 100 yards (91m) from water sources
and archeological sites. Everyone must pack out toilet paper and other
trash. It is illegal to place plastic bags or other containers contaminated
with human waste in dumpsters or other trash receptacles.
* Collecting artifacts, touching rock art, and disturbing or defacing
archeological sites in any way is prohibited. Archeological sites
are protected by law!
RECOMMENDATIONS
* Stay on established roads and trails. Do not hike alone. Watch
your step. Do not hike on cryptobiotic crust (the dark crusty growth
on top of the sand).
* Take plenty of drinking water. One gallon (4 liters) per person
per day is recommended in the summer months.
* Watch for flash floods or other sudden weather changes.
* Do not feed the animals. Be alert for poisonous snakes. Keep children
nearby at all times. Do not leave children or pets in closed vehicles.
* 20 - 30' (6 - 9m) of rope is recommended on the Maze Overlook Trail
and on some other trails.
* Purify all water taken from natural sources before drinking.
APPROXIMATE MILEAGES: *
Utah 95 to Waterhole Flat 32 miles
*
Waterhole Flat to Flint Trail 11 miles
*
Flint Trail to Hans Flat 14 miles
*
Hite to SR24 via Flint Trail 100 miles
GENERAL ROAD CONDITIONS:
Be aware that road conditions can change due to weather and other
factors. Check locally before beginning any trip. *
Junction to Waterhole Flat - two-wheel drive/high clearance
*
Waterhole Flat to Teapot Rock - moderate four-wheel drive
*
Teapot Rock to Doll House - difficult four-wheel drive
*
Flint Trail - difficult four - wheel drive
*
Flint Trail to Hans Flat - two-wheel drive/high clearance
Outdoor Activities
outdoor activities includes:
Boating
Fishing
Driving the Burr Trail
Driving the Hole-in-the-Rock Road
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Hiking the spencer trail
Spring and Fall are the best seasons to hike the Spencer Trail at
Lees Ferry.
Outdoor activities are what Glen Canyon is all about. Whether you're
on your own or on a guided trip, there is something for everyone's
taste.Visit our Guided Services page for our list of approved business
partners.
History & Culture
Glen Canyon has been home to people for thousands of years. Archaic
and prehistoric Indian cultures roamed and lived in the canyons. Later,
a vast panorama of explorers, miners, ranchers, historic Indian tribes,
and others left their mark here. In more recent times, a few hardy
homesteaders, river runners, and uranium miners lived, worked, or
played among the canyons until they were filled by the waters of Lake
Powell.Today, Glen Canyon still provides the opportunity for modern
day explorers to seek their own adventures, whether it be on the water
or in the backcountry. Many of the stories of Glen Canyon are the
stories of people.
CULTURAL HISTORY
Glen Canyon has been periodically used by a a viariety of human
groups from about 11,500 years ago through the present. Currently
these groups are classified by Archaeologists into a system that divide
the Native American culture history of GLCA into five different temporal
and/or cultural periods, including:Paleoindian period (ca. 11,500
B.C.- 8,050 B.C..) - Characterized by nomadic big game hunters known
by their distinctive Clovis and Folsom projectile points of which
a few have been found within the recreation area. This period is relatively
poorly represented in Glen Canyon.Archaic period (ca. 8,050 B.C.-
400 B.C.) - Characterized by development of a more broad-based hunting/gathering
lifeway. Distinctive artifacts of the period are sandals, which have
been found in several sites. This period is well represented in Glen
Canyon.Preformative or Basketmaker II period (ca. 400 B.C. - A.D.
500) - Marks a transition from a hunting and gathering lifestyle to
one that ultimately included the cultivation of corn and squash. Pottery
had not yet been developed and the Bow and Arrow comes into use late
in the period. This period is relatively poorly represented in Glen
Canyon. Formative period (A.D. 500 - 1300) - The most recognizable
period within Glen Canyon, is characterized by a strong reliance on
agriculture, permanent or semi-permanent habitations, and pottery
production. This period includes both Fremont and Anasazi occupations,
with each group having it's own distinctive material culture. It has
only recently, in the last ten years, been identified that this period
is relatively well represented in Glen Canyon.Late Prehistoric period
(A.D. 1300 - 1500)This temporal period falls right on the heels of
the migration of Anasazi goups from the area, and includes the expansion
of Paiute groups into portions of GLCA. The Late Prehistoric period
remains one of the most poorly understood eras within GLCA. Protohistoric
period (A.D. 1500 - 1850) This information for GlenCanyon is sparse
with some evidence for Navajo, Paiute and Hopi use of the area prior
to the Spanish arrival in A.D. 1540.Historic period (this span can
roughly be divided into early and late subdivision by the expedition
of Dominguez and Escalante in 1776, and its termination roughly coincides
with LDS exploration and colonization of southern Utah) - The Spanish
Friars expedition is the only documented Spanish incursion into the
immediate area. Other historic activities unfold through periods of
government expeditions, Indian wars, Mormon settlement, gold mining,
mineral exploration, and finally, recreational use.Several different
prehistoric cultures and current Native American groups are represented
in the culture history of GLCA, and the recreation area represents
something a cultural interface zone where different groups were periodically
coming into contact with one another over long periods of time. Today,
many modern descendants of these groups still have important cultural
ties to the area, and specific places in GLCA possess enormous ongoing
cultural value to these groups. In addition to the Native American
presence in GLCA, many historic sites are located in the recreation
area, including early Later Day Saints (LDS) settlements and later
mineral exploration sites.
