Access Points: The Marinas -- Located in southern Utah and northern Arizona, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has four major access points: Wahweap Marina and Lake Powell Resort (tel. 928/645-2433), on the lake's south end, is the most developed area of the recreation area, with the largest number of facilities, and the closest to additional lodging, dining, and services in nearby Page, Arizona; Bullfrog Marina (tel. 435/684-3088) and Halls Crossing Marina (tel. 435/684-7000) are mid-lake, and are also fairly well developed. Hite Marina (tel. 435/684-2278), which has been closed recently due to low water, is normally the lake's northernmost access point. It is the smallest and least developed marina, with extremely limited services off season.
These four marinas, operated by Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, are accessible by car, operate year-round, and provide boat rentals, docks, fuel, fishing and other supplies, and accommodations. A fifth marina, Dangling Rope, is accessible by boat only (it's 40 lake miles north of the dam and 55 lake miles south of Halls Crossing and Bullfrog marinas), and is mainly a fuel stop, though it does offer minor repairs, limited supplies, a free dump/pump-out station, emergency medical services, and some of the best soft-serve ice cream around. A sixth marina, Antelope Point, has a six-lane day-use-only launch ramp onto the original channel of the river, small courtesy docks, a large graveled parking area, restrooms, and a beach access road, but no fuel or services. This ramp may close during low water levels. Lees Ferry is a popular river crossing, but does not offer direct access to Lake Powell.
Getting There -- Wahweap Marina and Glen Canyon Dam are just off U.S. 89, 6 miles north of Page, Arizona. Wahweap is 150 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park; 130 miles northeast of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park; 65 miles east of Kanab; 267 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada; and 381 miles south of Salt Lake City. By road, Halls Crossing is 220 miles northeast of Wahweap, and Bullfrog is 283 miles northeast (both are about 100 miles from Wahweap by boat); both are reachable via Utah 276. Hite, 40 miles uplake from Halls Crossing and Bullfrog, is off Utah 95.
Motorists can reach the dam and Wahweap Marina via U.S. 89 from Kanab or Grand Canyon National Park, and via Ariz. 98 from the east. To get to the Lees Ferry section, south of Wahweap, drive south on U.S. 89 and then north on U.S. 89A to Marble Canyon, where you can pick up the Lees Ferry access road.
Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas, which are connected by a toll ferry mid-lake, are accessible via Utah 276, which loops southwest from Utah 95. The 3-mile crossing takes about 25 minutes. For the current schedule and rates, contact either Bullfrog or Halls Crossing marinas. Hite Marina, in the northernmost section of the recreation area, is just off Utah 95.
Flights between Page and Southwestern cities including Phoenix and Denver are available from Great Lakes Airlines (tel. 800/554-5111; www.greatlakesav.com).
Information/Visitor Centers -- For advance information, contact Superintendent, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040-1507 (tel. 928/608-6200; www.nps.gov/glca), or call the Carl Hayden Visitor Center (tel. 928/608-6404). Books, maps, and other materials are available from the nonprofit Glen Canyon Natural History Association, P.O. Box 1835, Page, AZ 86040 (tel. 877/453-6296 or 928/608-6358; www.glencanyonassociation.org).
For lodging, tour, and boat-rental information, contact the licensed park concessionaire, Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, P.O. Box 1597, Page, AZ 86040 (tel. 800/528-6154 or 928/645-2433; www.lakepowell.com).
Numerous services, including lodging and dining, are available in nearby Page, Arizona. For information, contact the Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce, 644 N. Navajo Dr., Dam Plaza (P.O. Box 727), Page, AZ 86040 (tel. 888/261-7243 or 928/645-2741; www.pagelakepowellchamber.org). It's open daily in summer from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday in winter from 9am to 5pm. Another good website is www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell.
The Carl Hayden Visitor Center, at Glen Canyon Dam, 2 miles north of Page, Arizona, via U.S. 89, has exhibits on the construction of the dam, local dinosaurs, and other related subjects. Audiovisual programs, free brochures, and books, maps, and videos are available. The visitor center is open daily 8am to 6pm from mid-May through mid-September, the rest of the year daily from 8am to 5pm.
At the Bullfrog Visitor Center, at mid-lake off Utah 276, you'll find a variety of exhibits and information. It's open 10am to 7pm from May through September and 8am to 5pm during April; closed at other times. An interpretative center at Navajo Bridge, along U.S. 89A near Lees Ferry, is open from 9am to 5pm from mid-April through October, open weekends 10am to 4pm in early April and November, and closed from December through March. The Halls Crossing Boater Contact Station, a self-serve visitor information center, is usually open daily from 8am to 6pm during the summer. Ranger stations at Hans Flat and Hite also offer park information, but these stations are only open intermittently.
Fees & Regulations -- Entry into the park costs $10 per vehicle or $5 per person for up to 7 days. Boating fees are $16 for the first vessel and $8 for each thereafter, for up to 7 days. Backcountry permits (free) are required for overnight trips into the Escalante River section of the national recreation area.
The standard National Park Service regulations -- such as not damaging anything and driving only on established roadways -- apply here; additional regulations are aimed at protecting water quality of the lake by prohibiting any dumping of garbage into the water, plus requiring the containment and proper disposal of human wastes within one-fourth mile of the lake. Safe-boating requirements include mandatory use of life jackets by children 12 and under. Remember, boating regulations are slightly different in Utah and Arizona; brochures of regulations are available at the marinas. Pets must be leashed at all times, except on houseboats, and are prohibited in public buildings.
Seasons/Avoiding the Crowds -- The park is open year-round and is busiest in summer -- when it's also the hottest, with temperatures sometimes topping 100°F (38°C). Spring is pleasant, but can be a bit windy. We like October, when the water's still warm enough for swimming but most of the crowds have gone home. Winter can also be beautiful, with snow only rarely dusting the rocks, and daytime temperatures usually in the 40s and 50s (single digits and teens Celsius). Another advantage to visiting in off season: discounts on lodging and tours November through March, and on boat rentals October to May.
Ranger Programs -- Amphitheater programs at Wahweap Campground take place several evenings each week in summer. Topics vary, but may include such subjects as the animals or plants of the park, geology, or the canyon's human history. Schedules are posted on bulletin boards at the campground and at the visitor center.
Kids 12 and under can become Junior Rangers and receive badges by completing projects in an activity book available at the Carl Hayden and Bullfrog visitor centers.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
