Glen Canyon and Lake Powell

Lake Powell | Ryan Bonneau

Weather: Areas Of Smoke, 92F

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers more than 1.2 million acres of unparalleled opportunities for land- and water-based recreation. Within the recreation area, Lake Powell, is the second largest human-made lake in the United States, and is widely recognized as one of the premier boating destinations in the world. Stretching from the beginning of the Grand Canyon at Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is graced with scenic views, unique geology and evidence of 10,000 years of human history.

Things To Do

Encompassing over 1.2 million acres, there's no shortage of activities in Glen Canyon and Lake Powell. Choose from boating, fishing, hiking, camping, scenic drives and more.

Must-Do Lake Powell Guide

Winter in Lake Powell

Boisterous, water-splashing crowds spill into the high desert area for summer, but in the wintertime, lake life unveils its softer side — a serene scene for fishing, boating, hiking and off-roading. If undisturbed is what you seek, Lake Powell in the winter delivers.

Discover Winter at Lake Powell

Visitor Information

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open all year. Operating hours vary by season, check with the National Park Service for current hours. All visitors are required to pay an entrance fee, and a separate boating pass is required for vessel launch. Pets on leash are permitted in most areas of Glen Canyon.

For more information, there are multiple visitor centers that serve the Glen Canyon area. Find the visitor center closest to you:

Carl Hayden Visitor Center, is the main visitor center for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It's located across the Utah border in Arizona, near the Glen Canyon Dam.
Bullfrog Visitor Center, open seasonally, is located north of Bullfrog Marina in Lake Powell, Utah.
Big Water Visitor Center, open seasonally Wednesday through Saturday, is located on Highway 89 in Big Water, Utah.
Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, run jointly by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Dixie National Forest. Located in Escalante, Utah. Offers permits for hikes into Glen Canyon Wilderness.
Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center, located on U.S. 89A by the Navajo Bridge.

Climate and Weather

In the summer (June-August), the Glen Canyon area is extremely hot (sometimes exceeding 110 F degrees) and the area offers little, if any, shade in the form of trees. Springtime (March-May) is difficult to predict and can also bring long periods of high winds. Fall weather (September-November) is typically nice and mild — a great season to avoid the heat and the crowds. Winter (December-March) can be chilly, and the temperature sometimes dip below freezing at night. (Read: How to Pack for Winter in Southern Utah)