Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Chains Road and The Chains day-use area are temporarily closed

While there is no threat to public safety and the risk to the dam remains low, there was a discovery of several bore holes containing detonation cords along a restricted service road leading to Glen Canyon Dam. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team assessed the site and determined the materials date back to the dam's original construction. The National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and explosives experts have restricted access to the area while mitigation options are evaluated.

Caution Lees Ferry Campground Partial Closure

The upper loop of the Lees Ferry Campground is closed for renovations. Large equipment will be paving at the Lees Ferry campground. Do not enter construction area.

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Caution Lake Powell Recreational Water Advisory

Any time that you do recreational activities (swimming, water skiing, making sand castles, etc.) on the beaches or in the waters of Lake Powell you are strongly encouraged to follow basic hygiene practices. A number of conditions can cause potential water quality issues on Lake Powell, at Lees Ferry, and on Colorado River tributaries.

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Park Closure Launch Ramp Updates

Lake level changes will influence the functionality of all launch ramps. Find updated status of all launch ramps at the link.

Read the full alert

Overview

Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, encompassing scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a vast panorama of human history.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

The Roosevelt connection

T.R. was here

What to see and do

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • ATV Off-Roading
  • Auto Off-Roading
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Boating
  • Motorized Boating
  • Jet Skiing
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Dining
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Boat Tour
  • Hands-On
  • Volunteer Vacation
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Kayaking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Swimming
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Glen Canyon Open Hours: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open 24 hours per day, year-round. If there is not a person staffing the entrance station, you may pay your entrance fee at the automated fee machine. Launch ramps are open all day, unless closed due to low water.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $25.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
  • Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $55.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

There are multiple districts in Glen Canyon very far away from each other. Avoid a two hundred mile detour and make sure you know which district you are going to before you begin travelling here.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Wahweap Campground & RV Park (266 sites) — reserve
  • Bullfrog RV & Campground (98 sites) — reserve
  • Halls Crossing RV & Campground (72 sites) — reserve
  • Lees Ferry Campground (54 sites) — reserve
  • Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping Area — reserve
  • Stanton Creek Primitive Camping Area — reserve
  • Beehives Primitive Campground (21 sites) — reserve
  • Dirty Devil Primitive Camping Area — reserve
  • Farley Canyon Primitive Camping Area — reserve
  • Colorado River Primitive Camping Between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry (5 sites)
  • Antelope Point RV Park (104 sites) — reserve

Weather

The weather in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is usually typical for the high deserts. Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Winters are moderately cold with night time lows often below freezing. Spring weather is highly variable and unpredictable with extended periods of winds. Fall weather is usually nice and mild, a great time to beat the heat (and the crowds!).

Phone: 9286086200

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Green river winds through high cliffs.
Horseshoe Bend · NPS Photo
A concrete dam plugs high canyon walls. Buildings and wires on the sides.
Glen Canyon Dam · NPS Photo
Three kayaks on the lake.
So Many Ways to Find Your Park · NPS Photo
Log cabin and fences with a wooden wagon.
Lonely Dell Ranch at Lees Ferry Historic District · NPS Photo

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