Lake Powell Travel Guide

Suggested Activities: There are diverse activities available in the Lake Powell area. The sample suggestions below are divided into those taking a few hours, a full day, and several days:

A Few Hours. Allow a few hours or a short day:

• Tour Glen Canyon Dam (6)
• Tour Antelope Canyon (7)
• Old Paria Site (9)
• Day hikes around town (good overlooks, inquire locally)
• Shore fishing (good dock at Wahweap - 5)

Full Day. These activities will take up a full day: (* - 1/2 day tours available)

• Rainbow Bridge, full tour (2) *
• Glen Canyon rafting, full (8) *
• Guided fishing trip-bass (1)
• Guided fishing trip-trout (8)
• Lake Powell boating and water sports (5)

More than a day. Allow more than one day for these activities:

• Houseboat trips (1,5)
• Grand Canyon, North Rim (4)
• Paria Canyon Wilderness (11)
• Drive/camp Cottonwood Canyon to Kodachrome Basin (10)
• Hike/backpack canyons of the Escalante (1,3)

Glen Canyon/Lake Powell Destinations

This symbol indicates links into the American West Travelogue.

This Recreation Area's highlight is Lake Powell. Activities include houseboating, fishing, and water sports on a backdrop of spectacular scenery. Tours, accommodations, and services available in Page and at the marinas including boat tours, fishing guides, and watercraft rentals. Houseboat rentals must be made well in advance. Tour reservations and activity information available at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Page.

• Featuring Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge
• Glen Canyon NRA - Recommended Reading
• Lodging: List of hotels for Lake Powell and vicinity
• Camping: List of campgrounds for Lake Powell and vicinity
  
  
• Fishing: Licenses and Official Information
• Historical: Images of Glen Canyon by C. Gregory Crampton
• Houseboats: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
• Information: Glen Canyon (NPS)
• Information: Glen Canyon Natural History Association (GCNHA)
• Information: John Wesley Powell Museum
• Tour Reservations: John Wesley Powell Museum

Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge. Stands 290 feet above its stream in a spectacular setting below Navajo mountain. The monument is accessible by boat on Lake Powell, and tours are offered daily. One of the area's major highlights.

• Featuring Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument
  
  
• Information: Rainbow Bridge National Monument (NPS)
• Information: Rainbow Bridge (GCNHA)
• Tours by Boat: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas

One of America's newest national monuments. Created to protect unspoiled public lands between Bryce Canyon and Lake Powell. The national monument will not be developed, and focus will be on wilderness type activities such as backpacking. Much of the area is very rugged and remote offering opportunities to those who can take care of themselves.

• Calf Creek Falls
• The Toadstools of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
  
  
• Information: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (BLM)
• Information: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Travel Brochure and Map (BLM)
• Information: The Canyons of the Escalante (NPS)

The national forest and town of Jacob Lake provide the gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The forest is heavily wooded and cool even in the summer. There are tourist facilities just outside the national park and at Jacob Lake. The camping and facilities are rather rustic but offer a nice alternative to the congested North Rim area.

• Grand Canyon National Park Travel Guide
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - Introduction
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - The Inner Canyon / Hiking Trails
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - Hiking the Jumpup, Kanab, Deer Creek Canyon Loop
  
  
• Information: Kaibab National Forest (NFS)
• Information: Grand Canyon National Park (NPS)

The marina is the largest on Lake Powell and very heavily developed for visitor services. These include boat and houseboat rentals, boat tours, lodging, camping, restaurants, stores, and boatramps. Personal watercraft can be rented in Page as well as fishing guides.

• Camping: List of Campgrounds for Lake Powell, Glen Canyon, and vicinity
  
  
• Houseboats / Tours/ Accommodations: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
• Information: Glen Canyon (NPS)
• Information: Glen Canyon Natural History Association (GCNHA)

The giant dam, standing over 700 feet tall, was completed in 1963 and impounds Lake Powell. Worthwhile self-guided tours are offered daily at the Carl Hayden visitor center and include a trip to the bottom of the dam.

• Information/Tours: Glen Canyon Dam (GCNHA)

A highly scenic slot canyon located just east of Page. It is so-called because it is over 100 feet high and only a few feet wide. It features exquisitely carved walls from erosion, and fantastic coloring due to the unusual lighting conditions. A favorite with tourists and photographers. Access by guided tours only. (If you arrive on your own, the Navajos will provide a guide for a fee.)

• Upper Antelope Canyon - Photographers' Fantasyland
• Lower Antelope Canyon - Photographers' Fantasyland
  
  
• Information/Tours: Antelope Canyon-Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park
• Tour Reservations: John Wesley Powell Museum

Only part of Glen Canyon not flooded by Lake Powell terminates at Lee's Ferry. World class trout fishing, rustic camping, popular one day raft trips (no white water) from Glen Canyon Dam. Raft trips are booked in Page. Guided fishing trips and lodging available at nearby Marble Canyon.

• Lee's Ferry, Arizona - World Class Fishing Adventure
• Food/Lodging/Camping for Lee's Ferry Area
  
  
• Information: Lee's Ferry (NPS)
• Glen Canyon Half Day Raft Trip

A short hike takes you to the overlook of Glen Canyon's spectacular Horseshoe Bend. Follow state highway 89 south of the town of Page. Look for a gravel road heading west towards the canyon near mile marker 545 (about 2.5 miles south of the Texaco station). Drive to the end of the road, then walk to the overlook. A stunning photo opportunity.

• Information: Horseshoe Bend (NPS)

The locale features the remains of a 19th century town and a historic movie set in a scenic canyon. The set, and general area, has hosted many TV and movie westerns over the years (Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales) The town of 'Pahreah' (means 'muddy water') prospered in agriculture until flooding washed away the fields. Access is by dirt road.

• (Mis)adventure at Old Paria (Pahreah)

Colorful and unspoiled canyon in the Grand Staircase country. Road passes Grosvener Arch and leads to the beautiful Kodachrome Basin which is a short drive from Bryce Canyon. Good scenery, hiking, and camping. High clearance vehicle needed.

• Information: BLM Scenic Roads

This protected section of the Paria Canyon is a backpacking favorite. Hikers usually trek downstream from the entry station on Highway 89 in Utah finishing at Lee's Ferry in four or more days. Spectacular 'narrows' section in the canyon's upper reaches. Also, Coyote Buttes and the Wave.

• Paria Canyon Wilderness Area
• Feature Story: North Coyote Buttes and the Wave
• Feature Story: The Dive of the Buckskin
• Paria Canyon Map and Trail Guide
  
  
• Information: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)