Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service that spans Arizona and Utah: about 44,670 acres of it are in Coconino County, Arizona. Entrance is $30 per vehicle.
Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.
- Closure: Launch Ramp Updates Lake level changes will influence the functionality of all launch ramps. Find updated status of all launch ramps at the link.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the managing agency's own page.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area map
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.
Common questions
- Partly. About 44,670 acres of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are in Arizona (measured from the park's boundary map); the rest is in Utah. That is 3.6% of the park's 1,250,000 acres.
- Entrance costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted.
- Yes. Some campgrounds take reservations and others are first come, first served. NPS campgrounds are first-come (pay at Pay.gov does not reserve); concessioner campgrounds book separately (as of September 29, 2026). Stays are limited to 14 days per campground. Across the whole park, the limit is 30 days in any 365-day period. Each site holds up to 8 people. Hookups at a concessioner RV park. Vehicle camping outside campgrounds is allowed.
- A backcountry permit is required only in named areas outside Arizona (Escalante District). Permits are issued at a visitor center. Limits: groups of up to 12 people.
- No. Launching, landing or operating a drone is not allowed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Fees, passes, and hours
Entrance costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted.
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-28.
Camping in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Some campgrounds take reservations and others are first come, first served. NPS campgrounds are first-come (pay at Pay.gov does not reserve); concessioner campgrounds book separately (as of September 29, 2026). Stays are limited to 14 days per campground. Across the whole park, the limit is 30 days in any 365-day period. Each site holds up to 8 people. Hookups at a concessioner RV park. Vehicle camping outside campgrounds is allowed.
Campfires: Fires in NPS rings/grills or on Lake Powell shoreline below 3,700 ft high-water mark outside developed areas; max 4x4 ft wood fires on shore.
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/camping, checked 2026-09-29.
Backcountry permits
A backcountry permit is required only in named areas outside Arizona (Escalante District). Permits are issued at a visitor center. Limits: groups of up to 12 people.
How to get a backcountry permit for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/camping, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
They are allowed on trails.
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/pets, checked 2026-09-28.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Page, AZ
- Limited cell service
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/directions, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Horseshoe BendAccessible hardened path to overlook; City of Page parking fee required.
- Dam OverlookShort rocky steps to views of Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River.
- Hanging GardensSeep spring habitat hidden in Navajo sandstone east of Glen Canyon Bridge.
- Cathedral WashWash hike from Lees Ferry road to the Colorado River; flash-flood risk.
- Lonely Dell RanchSelf-guided walk among Lees Ferry ranch buildings and orchard.
- River TrailHistoric Lees Ferry riverfront walk on gravel to sandy terrain.
- Spencer Trail1,700 ft gain on switchbacks above Lees Ferry; avoid midday heat.
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes, checked 2026-09-29.
What to see
- OverlookHorseshoe BendIconic Colorado River horseshoe overlook; 1.5-mile accessible hardened trail.
- DamGlen Canyon DamBureau of Reclamation dam creating Lake Powell; views from Dam Overlook trail.
- HighlightLake PowellSecond-largest man-made lake in North America; ~13% of the recreation area.
- Historic siteLees FerryHistoric Colorado River crossing and launch point at the AZ end of Glen Canyon.
Source: nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and water
- Lake Powell fishing (right at the boundary): its fishing and stocking record on fishypedia.com.
- Lake Powell water level (right at the boundary): its dam and reservoir record on reservoirfinder.com.
Public lands next to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- BLM unitGlen Canyon National Recreation Area borders Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon, a BLM unit.
- National Park Service unitGlen Canyon National Recreation Area borders Grand Canyon National Park.
- Wilderness areaGlen Canyon National Recreation Area borders Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
- BLM unitGlen Canyon National Recreation Area borders Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.nps.gov/state/az/index.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/pets.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/camping.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/horseshoe-bend.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/management/statistics.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/directions.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/management/upload/2026-01-01-Compendium_508.pdf (accessed 2026-09-29)