Lake Powell

State: spans Utah (Garfield, Kane and San Juan counties) and Arizona. Type: reservoir on the Colorado River formed by Glen Canyon Dam, managed within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (National Park Service). Length: 186 miles; maximum width: 25 miles; full-pool area: 161,390 acres. Capacity when full: 24,322,000 acre-feet, second-largest U.S. reservoir after Lake Mead. Dam completed 1963; lake reached its 3,700-foot full-pool elevation on June 22, 1980. Glen Canyon NRA draws more than two million visitors annually.

Lake Powell is a vast reservoir on the Colorado River, formed behind Glen Canyon Dam and stretching 186 miles across the Utah-Arizona border through more than 90 side canyons of red-rock desert. Construction of the 710-foot dam began in 1956 and finished in 1963, but filling the reservoir behind it took 16 years, reaching full pool in 1980. The lake and its surrounding canyon country are managed as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area by the National Park Service, drawing more than two million visitors annually for boating, fishing, waterskiing and hiking. Distinctive landmarks reachable by water include Rainbow Bridge, one of the world's largest natural bridges, along with sites such as Castle Rock. Since 2000, a prolonged Southwestern drought has dramatically lowered the lake's water levels, at times dropping it to under a quarter of full capacity, reshaping both the visitor experience and ongoing debate about the reservoir's long-term future.

Lake Powell straddles the Utah-Arizona border, with its Utah portion spanning Garfield, Kane and San Juan counties. Glen Canyon Dam, near Page, Arizona, forms the lake's southern end, while the reservoir's arms extend deep into southern Utah's canyon country.

The region has a hot, arid desert climate, with very hot summers well suited to water recreation and mild winters. Water levels and surface temperatures vary significantly by season and by the lake's current fill level, which has been well below historical full pool in recent drought years.

Summer is the peak season for boating, waterskiing and swimming given warmer water and air temperatures, though it is also the busiest and hottest time to visit. Spring and fall offer milder temperatures and thinner crowds for visitors more focused on hiking and sightseeing than water sports.

Glen Canyon Dam was built between October 1956 and 1963, standing 710 feet high and costing about $155 million, with construction claiming 18 lives. The dam flooded Glen Canyon to create Lake Powell, which took 16 years to fill, reaching its designed full-pool elevation of 3,700 feet on June 22, 1980, and hitting an all-time peak of 3,708.34 feet during a major flood in July 1983. Since 2000, a severe Southwestern megadrought has sharply reduced inflows, and the lake has repeatedly fallen to historic lows, including just 22.88% of capacity in April 2022, prompting ongoing federal and regional discussion about Colorado River water management.

Boating, waterskiing, fishing and swimming are the primary activities on the lake itself, supported by marinas around its shoreline. On land and by water, visitors can hike into some of the recreation area's 90-plus side canyons, and boat tours reach landmarks such as Rainbow Bridge and Castle Rock. Houseboat rental is a particularly popular way to explore the lake over multiple days.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges and accessible primarily by boat, is a major highlight within the recreation area. Other notable features include Castle Rock and the historic Lees Ferry area at the recreation area's southern end near the dam, along with Glen Canyon Dam itself, which offers visitor facilities near Page, Arizona.

Page, Arizona, near Glen Canyon Dam, is the main southern gateway to the lake and has a small regional airport; most visitors drive in via personal vehicle, with Salt Lake City and Phoenix or Las Vegas serving as the nearest major commercial airports, each several hours away. On the Utah side, access points reach the lake's northern arms through the state's canyon country roads.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's specific hours were not stated on the NPS pages checked for this entry; the recreation area generally supports year-round visitation, with individual marinas, visitor centers and facilities keeping their own seasonal hours. Confirm current hours at nps.gov/glca before visiting.

As of research, NPS entrance fees for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were $30 per private vehicle (valid 7 days), $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle, with children under 16 free; an annual park-specific pass was $55. A separate Glen Canyon Vessel Pass is required to operate a motorized vessel on the lake or the Colorado River portion of the recreation area, with fees ranging from about $20 to $800 depending on vessel size. No cash is accepted at NPS fee stations; credit or debit cards only.

A day trip allows time for a scenic drive and a short boat tour or marina stop, but many visitors plan multi-day houseboat trips or several days based at Page to fully explore the lake's canyons and reach sites like Rainbow Bridge.

Page, Arizona, at the lake's southern end, has the widest range of hotels, motels and vacation rentals convenient to the dam and main marinas. On the lake itself, houseboat rental is a distinctive overnight option, and NPS-managed campgrounds are available at various points around the recreation area.

Page, Arizona offers the main concentration of restaurants serving visitors to the lake, ranging from casual to sit-down dining. Marina-area facilities around the lake typically include limited food service, though most dining options are concentrated in Page rather than directly on the water.

Horseshoe Bend, a dramatic 270-degree turn of the Colorado River, is near Page and a very popular side trip (note its parking is managed by the City of Page and does not accept NPS park passes). Rainbow Bridge National Monument, reachable by boat, and Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim, a longer drive away, are other nearby draws for visitors extending a Lake Powell trip.

Page Municipal Airport offers limited regional air service near the dam; Salt Lake City and Phoenix/Las Vegas are the nearest airports with substantial commercial service, each requiring several hours of driving. A personal or rental vehicle is effectively necessary to explore the wider recreation area.

Water levels and boat-launch conditions have shifted substantially during the ongoing drought, so check current lake levels and marina/launch ramp status before a boating trip. Standard water-safety practices, life jackets, awareness of other boat traffic, and caution around swimming areas, apply given the lake's size and popularity. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water are essential given the intense desert sun. Life jackets and sun-protective clothing are important for any time on the water, and a change of footwear suited to both boats and hiking is useful for combining water and land activities.

Because water levels have fluctuated significantly during the recent drought, check current lake conditions and marina operating status before finalizing boating plans. Booking houseboats well in advance is recommended for peak summer season, and visiting Horseshoe Bend near Page is a common, easy addition to a Lake Powell trip.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's general information line is 928-608-6200, with a mailing address of PO Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040.

National Park Service - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area / Lake Powell - https://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.