Glen Canyon Dam Recreation
In 1972, Congress established the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area "to provide for public use and enjoyment and to preserve the area's scientific, historic, and scenic features." The uniquely beautiful area encompassed within the NRA stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to southern Utah. The scenic landscape created by the clear deep blue water of Lake Powell set against the red and orange sandstone cliffs draws over three million visitors to this area each year from all over the world.
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers over 1.2 million acres of unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. Lake Powell has become a major destination for many activities, such as fishing, camping, backcountry hiking, water sports, and boating, particularly houseboating. A good variety of fish can be found in Lake Powell including bass, bluegill, walleye, black crappie, northern pike, and catfish while the clear cool water in the 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River below the dam to Lees Ferry supports a blue-ribbon trout fishery.
Whitewater rafting the Colorado River through Glen and Grand Canyons is some of the most spectacular rafting found anywhere in the world. Visitors get to experience the exhilaration of whitewater rapids as well as the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon’s geologic formations, wildlife species - including mule deer, desert bighorn sheep and hundreds of bird species, and Native American ruins.
Another point of interest for visitors to the area is the Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center located 700 feet above the Colorado River overlooking Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge. The visitor center, which accommodates about one million visitors each year from all over the world, provides many interesting exhibits, audio-visual programs, and ranger presentations as well as a gift shop and an educational bookstore. Guided tours of Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant are provided by the Glen Canyon Natural History Association, and begin at the visitor center. For more information about the guided tour schedule, available recreational opportunities, and information on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, please click on the links below.
- Glen Canyon Dam Guided Tour Schedule
- Recreation.gov
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Grand Canyon National Park
 Glen Canyon Dam guided tour |
 Wahweep boat ramp |
 Recreation at Lake Powell |