Exploring Lake Powell

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a part of the Grand Circle, which is a collection of seven national parks, eight national monuments, numerous state parks and spectacular geological formations that stretch from Northern Arizona to Southern Utah. In 1972, Congress established Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, which covers 1.25 million acres. It is one of only 19 national recreational areas under the National Park Service. 

National Recreational Areas include lakes and reservoirs, which were created by dams. Glen Canyon Dam was built to meet the demands of water and electricity. Lake Powell was created when Glen Canyon Dam was built. Lake Powell is the crowning jewel in the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. The lake is 200 miles long and its shoreline spreads out longer than the shoreline between Mexico and Canada. Due to the fact that very few roads connect to Lake Powell, visitors will need to either hike or boat to truly see its magnificent beauty.

Glen Canyon National Recreational Area is the home to a variety of wildlife. There are more than 170 species of birds that make this a stop on their migration. Some birds found in the area are the Canada 
goose, blue heron and bald eagle. There are 800 different mammals living in Glen Canyon National Area. Badgers, gray foxes, mountain lion, striped skunks and pronghorn roam the land. Lizards love to rest on rocks soaking in the sunshine. Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye Pike, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Carp are just some kinds of the fish that can be hooked in Lake Powell. 

Along with wildlife, there are 730 species of plants growing in the area. Since the water level in Lake Powell fluctuates, plants do not line the lakeshore. However, high desert flora can be found. Indian rice 
grass, rabbitbrush, hedgehog cacti and prickly pear can be seen. There are cattails, willows and cottonwood along the waterways.

There are four marinas operating in the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. These marinas are on the perimeter of Lake Powell and are accessible by land. All of the marinas offer rental, accommodations, fuel, food, fishing gear and dockside storage. A fifth marina called Dangling Rope is accessible only by boat. 

It is seven miles southwest of the entrance to Rainbow Bridge and 40 miles from Wahweap Marina. The name Dangling Rope came from a dangling rope found in a nearby canyon left behind by prospectors. 
Wahweap Marina is on the south shore of Lake Powell. Wahweap means, “bitter water” in the Ute Indian language. The marina is six miles north of Page and five miles from Glen Canyon Dam. Wahweap is the largest marina on the lake and many lake tours leave from here.

Bullfrog Marina is in Utah near the middle of Lake Powell. It is named after the Bullfrog Rapids, which used to flow here before Lake Powell was created. Halls Marina is across from Bullfrog Marina. In 1881, Charles Hall used this site as a ferry crossing location. Hite Marina is the northernmost marina and is the smallest of the four. It is 140 miles 
from Glen Canyon Dam. Cass Hite found gold here in 1883 and a small town sprang up. Hite Marina is one of the quieter marinas and is well liked by many fishermen.

It is important for campers to know that anyone camping within one-quarter of a mile to Lake Powell is required to carry and use a portable toilet, unless their boats or campers have self-contained or toilets available. Waste must be disposed of only at designated boat pumpouts and dump stations. Camping is permitted throughout Glen Canyon with two exceptions. No camping is allowed within one mile of the marinas, including Lees Ferry and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. The second exception is the 14 consecutive day limit for any interior site. The maximum stay along shore is 30 days.
Primitive camping is allowed along the shoreline at Lone Rock near Wahweap, Stanton Creek, Bullfrog North and South, Hite, Dirty Devil and Farley Canyon near the Hite area. None of these sites have 
facilities, except for pit toilets. There is a $6.00 fee per vehicle per night. You may camp outside these developed areas lake-wide as long as campers have self-contained or portable toilets. There is no fee for 
this camping. 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has so much to offer its visitors. Scenic views and geological wonders are some of the unique characteristics of this area. Visitors can also spend their time fishing, 
boating and boat camping. Water recreation, summer ranger programs, half and full day tours to Rainbow Bridge, tours of Glen Canyon Dam, four wheeling on marked back roads and backpacking are just a short 
list of many activities visitors can choose from when making a trip to the area.

There are three Visitor Centers located in Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Carl Hayden Visitor Center is located at the Glen Canyon Dam in Page. You can get to Page from Tucson or Phoenix by taking Interstate 17 north out of town to Flagstaff. Once you are in Flagstaff take U.S. Highway 89 north to the town of Page, which lies just south of Lake Powell. Page is approximately 395 miles from Tucson, about 277 miles from Phoenix and 136 miles from Flagstaff. This Visitor Center has maps and photos retelling the history of the Glen Canyon Dam. The Bullfrog Visitor Center is located at the Bullfrog Marina in Utah. 

This Visitor Center has exhibits focusing on geology and the human history of Glen Canyon. The Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center is located on Highway 89A near Lees Ferry. Here you will see an interactive video about the old Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River.

The cost of admission to Glen Canyon National Recreational Area is valid for seven days. Admission costs vary depending on how you will be using the area. Vehicles are $5.00, individuals $3.00, boats $10.00 and motorized vehicles $4.00. However, if you are planning on making return visits there are annual and lifetime passes available. If you have questions about admission prices, you may call 520-608-6542. If you would like more information on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, you may call 520-608-6404 or 520-608-6200.

Congress authorized the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and the Bureau of Reclamation was given the task of building it. The location of the dam was determined by a group of Bureau of Reclamation engineers and geologists. This group worked from 1946 to 1948 examining different areas. Eventually, Glen Canyon was chosen for several reasons. The basin could contain an immense amount of water, the canyon walls and bedrock were strong and stable and a substantial source of rock and sand were located nearby for the dam’s construction. 

The dam is located about 20 miles upriver from the boundary of the Grand Canyon National Park. By 1959, the Glen Canyon Bridge was built to transport equipment and supplies needed for the dam and its 
workers. The following year, construction began on the 3,700-foot dam with blocks of concrete reaching 7 feet high. The concrete construction continued day and night for three years. It is estimated that over five 
million cubic yards of concrete make up the dam and the power plant. This equals to the construction of a four lane highway stretching from Phoenix to Chicago. 

The turbines and generators were installed during 1963 to 1966. Then on September 22, 1966, Ladybird Johnson dedicated the dam. Glen Canyon Dam holds back the second largest manmade lake in North 
America at a cost of $260 million. Today the power plant generates more than 1.3 million kilowatts of electricity and provides electricity for the Pacific Southwest and the Rocky Mountain areas. The sheer size of the dam can be realized with a water depth of 500 feet, which took 17 years to reach full pool. The 710-foot wall of concrete supplies power to the southwest and regulates the flow of water. 

The dam forms Lake Powell, one of the most beautiful lakes in Arizona .
Carl Hayden Visitor Center is located next to Glen Canyon Dam and is staffed by the National Park Service. The center has information on Glen Canyon Dam from its early beginnings up to the present day. 

Visitors will see exhibits describing the story of the dam’s construction. One popular exhibit depicts prehistoric mammals roaming this area during the Ice Age. There are films shown in the center. An observation deck outside the Visitor Center allows visitors different perspectives from Glen Canyon Dam to Lake Powell. There is also a large relief map of Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, Page and the surrounding area, which is an amazing sight. Visitors can take a tour of the dam beginning at the crest of the dam. The tour takes an elevator 528 feet down into the interior of the dam. The tour includes a video, photos and Native American artifacts. 

Visitors are asked not to bring handbags or cameras. This tour is a terrific activity for any visitor to the area. The visitor center is open every day from 7:00 to 7:00 Memorial Day through Labor Day and 8:00 to 5:00 during the rest of the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. You should plan on spending about one to two hours at the Visitor Center including the tour of the dam.  For more information you can call 520-608-6404. 

You can reach Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam by traveling two miles north of Page, on U.S. Highway 89. You can get to Page from Tucson or Phoenix by taking Interstate 17 north out of town 
to Flagstaff. Once you are in Flagstaff take U.S. Highway 89 north to the town of Page, which lies just south of Lake Powell. Page is approximately 395 miles from Tucson, about 277 miles from Phoenix and 136 miles from Flagstaff. 

Wahweap Marina is the largest marina on the south shore of Lake Powell. The marina was named for Wahweap Canyon, which is a side canyon of the Colorado River that is now covered by Lake Powell. 

Wahweap is a Paiute word for bitter or alkali water. Before Glen Canyon Dam was built, this spot was popular camping spot for river runners and cowboys running cattle in the area. Today, Wahweap Marina has a wide variety of services and recreation activities. Visitors will find lodging, food services, gift shops, two campgrounds, laundry, showers and a gas station. The marina offers slips, buoys, boat rentals, tours, dry storage and fueling. 

There is also a ranger station at Wahweap. The station offers restrooms, free boat pump-out stations, picnic areas with grills, a fish cleaning station and drinking water. During the summer, the ranger provides programs. If you are interested in finding out more, you may contact the National Park Service at Wahweap by calling 520-608-6404.

You can get to Wahweap Marina from Tucson or Phoenix by taking Interstate 17 north out of town to Flagstaff. Once you are in Flagstaff take U.S. Highway 89 north to the town of Page, which lies just south of Lake Powell. The marina is six miles north of Page and five miles from Glen Canyon Dam. Wahweap Marina is 140 miles from Flagstaff, 280 miles from Phoenix and 399 miles from Tucson

 

 

White Horse Lake is a man made lake, built in 1935. The lake has many things to offer those who love the outdoors. White Horse Lake is open May 15 through October 31. The lake has solar powered composting 
toilets, paved roads and camp pads. There are no dumping stations available. The water is limited during the winter months. Pets are permitted, as long as they are restrained.

White Horse Lake is an extremely popular fishing lake. The lake requires only boats that have single electric motors or 1 horsepower or less. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and channel 
catfish. A fishing license is required for those over the age of 14. There is no swimming in the lake. 

You can get to White Horse Lake from Williams by taking Fourth Street south and traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson, take Interstate 17 north out of town to Flagstaff. Then take Interstate 40 west out of Flagstaff to Williams. Take exit 161 and head south into the town of Williams. After passing half way through town, you will come to Fourth Street. Turn right and head south on Fourth Street, traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance. If you would like more information on this lake, you may call 520-635-4061.

White Horse Lake

White Horse Lake is a man made lake, built in 1935. The lake has many things to offer those who love the outdoors. White Horse Lake is open May 15 through October 31. The lake has solar powered composting toilets, paved roads and camp pads. There are no dumping stations available. The water is limited during the winter months. Pets are permitted, as long as they are restrained.
White Horse Lake is an extremely popular fishing lake. The lake requires only boats that have single electric motors or 1 horsepower or less. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and channel catfish. A fishing license is required for those over the age of 14. There is no swimming in the lake.
You can get to White Horse Lake from Ashfork by heading east out of town to Williams. Then take Fourth Street south and traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson, take Interstate 17 north out of town to Flagstaff. Then take Interstate 40 west out of Flagstaff to Williams. Take exit 161 and head south into the town of Williams. After passing half way through town, you will come to Fourth Street. Turn right and head south on Fourth Street, traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance.
If you would like more information on this lake, you may call 520-635-4061.

White Horse Lake

White Horse Lake is a man made lake, built in 1935. The lake has many things to offer those who love the outdoors. White Horse Lake is open May 15 through October 31. The lake has solar powered composting toilets, paved roads and camp pads. There are no dumping stations available. The water is limited during the winter months. Pets are permitted, as long as they are restrained.
White Horse Lake is an extremely popular fishing lake. The lake requires only boats that have single electric motors or 1 horsepower or less. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and channel catfish. A fishing license is required for those over the age of 14. There is no swimming in the lake.

You can get to White Horse Lake from Ashfork by heading east out of town to Williams. Then take Fourth Street south and traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance. If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson, take Interstate 17 north out of town to Flagstaff. Then take Interstate 40 west out of Flagstaff to Williams. Take exit 161 and head south into the town of Williams. After passing half way through town, you will come to Fourth Street. Turn right and head south on Fourth Street, traveling approximately nine miles. Then take a left down County Road 110 and travel for six miles. Then take another left onto County Road 109 and head three miles to the campground entrance.
If you would like more information on this lake, you may call 520-635-4061.