Glen Canyon is a vast United States National Recreation Area in Utah's Canyon Country.
Glen Canyon is an mind-bogglingly vast canyon in deep red rock country, which has been filled with North America's largest man made lake, Lake Powell. Surrounded by nothing but red slick rock, the crystal blue lake is strikingly out of place and looks like it belongs on Mars. Lake Powell would be totally deserted were it not for its popularity with house-boat owners, who sail around this dead and beautiful expanse. The desert surrounding the lake is mostly uninhabited except for grazing long horn steer, jackrabbits, and lizards.
Entrance fees for a private vehicle are $15, while individuals (on foot, on bike, or on motorcycle) must pay a $7 entrance fees. All entrance fees are good for seven consecutive days. The Glen Canyon NRA Annual Pass is $30 and provides entrance for one year.
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument, +1 928 608-6200. A small monument located about 50 miles uplake (about a two hour boat ride) from the Glen Canyon Dam, set around the world's largest known natural bridge. The monument can be accessed from a wharf on the lake, followed by a short walk up the canyon.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, +1 928 608-6200. A small monument located about 50 miles uplake (about a two hour boat ride) from the Glen Canyon Dam, set around the world's largest known natural bridge. The monument can be accessed from a wharf on the lake, followed by a short walk up the canyon.
Rainbow Room, Lake Powell Resort, 100 Lakeshore Drive, Page. With a stunning 180 degree view of Wahweap Bay, this fine dining establishment is open March 15 - October 31 for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- The Grill at Offshore Marina, Mile Marker 30, Highway 276 (7 miles prior to Bullfrog Marina, just passed Ticaboo, +1 435 788-2142. The Grill at Offshore Marina offers fresh food off the grill, deli sandwiches and salad bar. It's located within the Chevron at Offshore Marina.
The Grill at Offshore Marina, Mile Marker 30, Highway 276 (7 miles prior to Bullfrog Marina, just passed Ticaboo, +1 435 788-2142. The Grill at Offshore Marina offers fresh food off the grill, deli sandwiches and salad bar. It's located within the Chevron at Offshore Marina.
Glen Canyon is definitely BYOB territory and you had better bring gallons of water for your trip.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has a severe desert climate and it is very dangerous to head out into this wild expanse without proper preparations and gallons of water. If you are the least bit unsure as to what constitutes "proper preparations," visit a National Park Service visitor center before heading into the backcountry.
If driving in the area, carry extra gas and plan your route to take into account the very long distances between gas stations. If driving on dirt roads, be aware of your limits (and your car's), and prepare for the possibility that either the road could wash out in the case of a storm, or that your car could break down dozens of miles from civilization, with no cell phone service, in the unforgiving desert climate.
As with most of Canyon Country, flash floods are a sporadic, but ever-present danger. Be sure to avoid parking in a wash and never head into a canyon before checking the current weather report—far-off rainstorms will flood canyons even if they are miles away from the downpour.
- Head northwest into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, north to Capitol Reef National Park, or northeast to Canyonlands National Park.
- Head south to Monument Tribal Park and Navajo Nation.
- If you haven't already, visit Glen Canyon Dam