Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Aerial view of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon in Arizona
Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona (Steve Bly/Digital Vision/Getty)
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Bill Weir

  • Touring kayaks, also called sea kayaks, do best for traveling long distances on flat water. They allow you more "bang" for each paddle stroke "buck" as well as provide room to carry gear. Sea kayaks also do better in wind and waves than do canoes.
  • The Colorado River curves nearly 180 degrees at Horseshoe Bend, deep in Glen Canyon. The spectacular view is an easy 1.5-mile round-trip hike from the parking area just north of Milepost 545, two and a half miles south of Page's Gateway Plaza.
  • Back roads in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offer great adventures for well-prepared mountain bikers. Note that off-road travel is strictly prohibited, including riding down to Lake Powell or along its shore.
  • Some kayakers contend that September to May is the best time of year to paddle. Although this season can be cold, it's great for photography, day hikes, and fishing. Also, most of the vacationing power boaters will have returned home.

    Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Glen Canyon National Recreation Area provides a dramatic example of one of nature's most inspiring settings combined with a hugely Promethean human project. Impounded behind the Glen Canyon Dam, waters of the Colorado River and tributaries are backed up almost 200 miles to form Lake Powell, the recreational focus of the park. But don't overlook the more than 1.2 million acres of desert-and-canyon country that surrounds the lake. While the lake may be humming with motorboats and personal watercraft, the backcountry is mostly deserted and quiet. Read More

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    Hotels

    from: $89

    Courtyard Page

    600 Clubhouse Drive, P.O. Box 4150
    Page, AZ 86040 Map

    Distance: 3.7 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: 3 class stars

    expert favorite hotel
    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5.0
    from: $159

    Lake Powell Resort & Marina

    Best Resorts & Lodges
    100 Lakeshore Drive
    Page, AZ 86040 Map

    Distance: 2.6 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: 3 class stars

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    4.0
    4.0

    Defiance House Lodge at Bullfrog Marina

    P.O. Box 4055
    Lake Powell, UT 84533 Map

    Distance: 18.2 mi.
    (from destination center)

    Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
    Expert Rated & Recommended
    4.0
    5.0
    All Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Hotels »
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    Attractions

    Antelope Canyon

    expert favorite attraction
    Just outside of Page
    Antelope Canyon Park Office, P.O. Box 4803
    Page, Arizona 86040

    Distance: 2.6 mi. (from destination center)

    Description:

    Antelope Canyon has upper and lower sections on either side of AZ 98 just southeast of Page, but... Read More

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0
    4_0

    Rainbow Bridge National Monument

    expert favorite attraction
    In Utah, about 50 miles by boat from either Wahweap or Bullfrog
    PO Box 1507
    Page , Utah 86040

    Distance: 31.7 mi. (from destination center)

    Description:

    Over time, a small stream cut through a rock fin to create the world's largest natural bridge, a... Read More

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0
    5_0

    Paria Canyon

    expert favorite attraction
    Upper trailhead is 43 miles east of Kanab
    BLM - Kanab Field Office, 318 North First East
    Kanab, Utah 84741

    Distance: 24.5 mi. (from destination center)

    Description:

    The route through the twisting canyons of the Paria begins in southern Utah near the BLM Paria... Read More

    Expert Rated & Recommended
    5_0
    All Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Attractions »

    Airports

    Major Airports near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Distance (mi.)
    Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport 211.6 map
    Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 244.7 map
    Salt Lake City International Airport 266.2 map

    Other Smaller Airports near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Distance (mi.)
    Grand Canyon National Park Airport 77.6 map
    Saint George Municipal Airport 115.4 map
    Grand Canyon Pulliam Field 126.0 map

    Flight Deals to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

    Originating From
    Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS) $124
    San Diego (SAN) to Las Vegas (LAS) $124
    San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS) $126
    Salt Lake City (SLC) to Las Vegas (LAS) $142
    San Jose (SJC) to Las Vegas (LAS) $146

    Feature Articles

    More Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Active and Adventure Feature Articles (2) »
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    Trip Ideas

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    Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Vacation Rentals

    check rates
    from: $171

    3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in NATIONAL, WA

    Bedrooms: 3
    Bathrooms: 1.5
    Sleeps: 10
    Amenities: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Freezer, Full kitchen, Garage, Hot Tub, Iron, Laundry, Linens, Lounge, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR
    check rates
    from: $75

    VACATION HOME in NATIONAL, WA

    Bathrooms: 1
    Sleeps: 12
    Amenities: BBQ, Full kitchen, Iron, Pets OK, Phone, Restaurant, Towels
    check rates
    from: $92

    2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in NATIONAL, WA

    Bedrooms: 2
    Bathrooms: 1
    Sleeps: 4
    Amenities: No Pets, Non-Smoking, Patio, Phone, TV, VCR
    All Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Vacation Rentals »

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