National park · United States
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Give Glen Canyon one full day from Page: drive to Wahweap and Lone Rock Beach in the morning, walk the Hanging Garden Trail, then take the dam tour or a boat to Rainbow Bridge; skip it if you only have one day and want canyons, not a lake.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,076 km²1,960 sq mi
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 5,076 km²1,960 sq mi
- About 5,076 km² (1,960 sq mi) of land and water along the Colorado River and Lake Powell (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is the lake park of the Southwest: 5,076 km² of red sandstone canyon flooded by Lake Powell behind Glen Canyon Dam, with the dam and Carl Hayden Visitor Center 5 minutes from Page, Arizona. Most visitors use it as a half-day or full-day stop — Wahweap Marina, Lone Rock Beach, the Hanging Garden Trail, a dam tour — rather than a destination in itself. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest natural bridges on earth, sits about 80 km uplake and is reached by boat. The far north end at Bullfrog and Halls Crossing is a 4–5 hour drive from Page and has its own services. Water level in Lake Powell has fallen for years, so some ramps and marinas shift or close; check current conditions before you plan a boat day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.
Size and age
5,076 km²1,960 sq mi · national park since 1972
About 5,076 km² (1,960 sq mi) of land and water along the Colorado River and Lake Powell (check).
Why go
- Lake Powell fills the canyon with blue water against red sandstone, a contrast you get nowhere else in the Southwest.
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest natural bridges on earth, is reached by boat up the lake.
- The Hanging Garden Trail and the Wahweap shoreline are easy half-day stops on the drive between Page and Kanab.
- Glen Canyon Dam and the Carl Hayden Visitor Center explain how the river was dammed and why the lake level keeps falling.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, some services closed
- FebCold; quiet
- MarMild days, cool nights
- AprWarm, clear, manageable crowds
- MayWarm; lake season opens
- JunHot; midday heat
- JulVery hot; monsoon storms
- AugVery hot; flash-flood risk
- SepCooling; storms taper
- OctBest all-round: warm, dry, quiet
- NovCool, clear, few people
- DecCold; limited services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert bighorn sheepOct–Apr · On the cliffs around the dam and Padre Bay. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds and heronsMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lizards and jackrabbitsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Page, Arizona
Drive 3 km to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at the dam, or 8 km to Wahweap Marina.Drive 1.9 mi to the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at the dam, or 5 mi to Wahweap Marina.
10–15 min
Open the page →
From Kanab, Utah
US-89 east over the plateau to Page, then to the dam.
1.5 h
From Grand Canyon North Rim
Drive via Jacob Lake and US-89A to Page.
2.5–3 h
From Las Vegas
I-15 north, then US-89 through Kanab, or fly to Page.
4.5–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitor Center | The dam, the bridge, exhibits and the start of the dam tour. | Open daily; visitor center hours vary by season (check). |
| Wahweap and Lone Rock Beach | Marina, campground, swim beach and the easiest lake access from Page. | Entrance fee; beach camping allowed. |
| Padre Bay and Antelope Point | Marina, houseboat rentals and the road down to the water. | Open; some services seasonal. |
| Bullfrog and Halls Crossing | The far north end of the lake, reached by UT-276 and a ferry across. | Open; ferry runs seasonally (check). |
| Lees Ferry | Historic crossing and launch point for Colorado River rafting, south of the dam. | Open; often visited with Vermilion Cliffs. |
Sketch map
- 1Carl Hayden Visitor Center · Headquarters≈36.938, -111.484Map ↗
- 2Glen Canyon Dam · Viewpoint≈36.938, -111.484Map ↗
- 3Wahweap Marina · Ranger station≈36.994, -111.487Map ↗
- 4Lone Rock Beach · Beach≈37.012, -111.532Map ↗
- 5Hanging Garden Trailhead · Trail≈36.954, -111.471Map ↗
- 6Rainbow Bridge National Monument · Viewpoint≈37.077, -110.964Map ↗
- 7Bullfrog Marina · Ranger station≈37.523, -110.730Map ↗
- 8Lees Ferry · Town≈36.866, -111.587Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance (private vehicle) | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers 7 days. Motorcycle and per-person rates are lower (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers this park and other federal sites for a year. |
| Glen Canyon Dam tour | US$5–10 | person | 2026 estimate; tickets at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, first come (check). |
| Boat tour to Rainbow Bridge | US$120–150 | person | 2026 estimate; half-day, from Wahweap or Antelope Point (check). |
| Developed campground (Wahweap) | US$30–60 | night | 2026 estimate; tent to full hook-up (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Rainbow Bridge no permit
Park rules
- Water
- Carry at least 4 litres per person per day; there is little drinking water away from the marinas.
- Beach camping
- Allowed on the lake shore with the entrance fee; no fires outside metal rings.
- Drones
- Not allowed to launch or land anywhere in the park (check).check
- Flash floods
- Never park in a wash or enter a slot canyon when rain is forecast, even far away.
- Pets
- Allowed on roads and in campgrounds, not on trails or beaches.
Where to stay
Near the park
Page
The main base: motels, hotels and restaurants 10–15 minutes from the dam.
In the park
Wahweap Campground and RV Park
Tent and RV sites by the marina, with showers and a store.
In the park
Lone Rock Beach
Primitive beach camping on sand; no shade, no hook-ups.
In the park
Defiance House Lodge, Bullfrog
Rooms at the north end of the lake, far from Page.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Flash floods high
Remote roads medium
Cold water medium
Accessibility
- The Carl Hayden Visitor Center, the dam overlook and the Wahweap marina area are step-free and reachable by car.
- The Hanging Garden Trail is sandy and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs.
- Boat tours to Rainbow Bridge can take a wheelchair with notice to the operator (check).
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked routes; biological soil crusts on the sandstone take decades to recover.
- Pack out all rubbish, including from beach camps; there are few bins on the shore.
- Book shared boat tours rather than private powerboats where you can.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
About $30 per private vehicle for seven days (2026 estimate); motorcycles and walk-ins pay less. The $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this park and other federal sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
The Hanging Garden Trail near the dam is an easy 2 km round trip. The shoreline and Lone Rock Beach are walkable. Reflection Canyon is a serious 20 km-plus route on unmarked ground for experienced walkers only.
When is the best time to visit Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
April, May and October: warm days, cool nights and fewer people. June to August is very hot and brings monsoon storms, so plan around early mornings.
Do I need a boat to see Lake Powell?
No. You can drive to Wahweap, swim at Lone Rock Beach and see the lake from the dam area. A boat or tour is only needed for Rainbow Bridge and the far canyons.
Can I camp for free in Glen Canyon?
Beach camping on the lake shore is included with the entrance fee. Backcountry camping needs a free permit from a visitor center. Developed campgrounds charge a nightly fee.
Is Glen Canyon the same as Grand Canyon?
No. Glen Canyon is the park around Lake Powell and the dam, mostly in Utah near Page, Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park is downstream in Arizona.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go