Contemplate Your Place in the Landscape At The Big Map
The Glen Canyon and Surrounding Area Relief Map sits in a place of honor at the Powell Museum & Archives next to Glen Canyon Conservancy's Flagship office.
1-120 Minutes Year-round Fee applies
National Recreation Area · AZ, UT
Things to do in Glen Canyon
The National Park Service lists 12 things to do at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. 7 have no extra fee, 11 need no reservation, and 8 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Day Trip or Backpack Hike to Coyote Gulch
Open year-round but most popular in Spring and Fall, Coyote Gulch is a tributary of the Escalante River with several entry points for day hiking or backpacking in the Escalante Canyons of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Staircase National…
1-14 Days Year-round Reservation required
Driving the Burr Trail
Drive the scenic Burr Trail from Glen Canyon's Bullfrog district, along the bottom of Capitol Reef, through Grand Staircase, to Boulder, UT.
1-14 Days Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Driving the Hole in the Rock Road
The Hole-in-the-Rock road is an historic pioneer trail turned path to adventure. This 62 mile (100 km) one-way section runs from Escalante, UT to the western edge of Lake Powell.
1-14 Days Year-round Pets allowed
Driving to Alstrom Point
Drive the semi-improved roads to Alstrom Point, in the southwest region of Glen Canyon National recreation Area along the border with Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument near Big Water, UT.
4-48 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
From Your Boat To The Bridge
There is one designated trail within the boundaries of Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It runs the length of the monument, from the boat dock on one side, to the border with the Navajo Nation on the other.
2-8 Hours Year-round
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Lake Powell Shoreline Primitive Camping
"Backcountry" Shoreline camping on Lake Powell can range from toughing out the desert winter from your kayak to "roughing it" in a multimillion dollar houseboat and any level of camping/glamping in between.
1-14 Days Year-round Pets allowed
Lonely Dell Ranch Historic Site
Hidden between the shade of trees near the muddy Paria River sits Lonely Dell Ranch. This historic site was once home to those who operated the river crossing at Lees Ferry.
1-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Off Road Vehicles in Glen Canyon
Off-road vehicle use is allowed in the park only on National Park Service-designated ORV routes and areas, delineated by ORV route maps. Some Shoreline Access Areas indicated on the maps may not be available seasonally, due to changes in lake level.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Auto Off-Roading
Scramble down Cathedral Wash Trail
Follow Cathedral Wash trail as it climbs down to meet the Colorado River on its sandy bank. The 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip challenging hike descend into the rocky wash, traveling through the Kaibab Limestone and Toroweap Formations of the Grand Canyon Group.
3-4 Hours Year-round
Swimming in Lake Powell
Swimming is a popular activity at Lake Powell, especially in the summer when water temperatures can surpass 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be aware that there are no life guards or officially designated swim beaches at Lake Powell or on the Colorado River.
Spring, Summer, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Take a stroll to Horseshoe Bend Overlook
Below the rim, the Colorado River makes a wide sweep around a sandstone escarpment. Here at Horseshoe Bend, the Colorado River created a roughly 1,000 foot (305 m) deep, 270º horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon.
1-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Glen Canyon. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — things to do on nps.gov