Lake Powell

Before the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, these remote rugged canyons were a discouraging barrier to the early pioneers and explorers. Today, Lake Powell winds its way through this desert paradise with excellent views of balancing rocks, pinnacles, buttes, arches and amphitheaters. The combination of clear skies, crystal clear water and red sandstone rock formations makes this national recreation area an ideal place for the outdoor enthusiast. Lake Powell is more than just a fantastic recreation area. Awesome in its dimensions and complexity, its desolate beauty makes it an experience never to be forgotten.

Check out our Boater's Guide to Lake Powell and Lake Powell - Glen Canyon NRA Map

The water that flows into Lake Powell comes from snow melt in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This snow melt gathers into the Green, Colorado, Dirty Devil, Escalante, and San Juan Rivers, which empty into Lake Powell. For the past few years, not enough snow fell in the high country, so the rivers were not as strong, and Lake Powell did not receive as much water.

In an average water year, Lake Powell is at its lowest in March, when the spring runoffs begin and the lake level starts to rise. The drought continues.  The Colorado River Basin is now in its 9th year of drought.  Inflow volumes have been below average for 5 consecutive years, with 2008 showing some improvement

Boaters and swimmers should be aware that rocks that may have been completely submerged last season may now be exposed or just under the water surface. Additionally, access to many of the lake's smaller side canyons may be more difficult due to low water. Maintain a sharp lookout, even in the main channel. If you're travelling into unfamiliar territory or simply can't tell what's under the water--slow down. On the bright side, there should be plenty of sandy beach exposed for those camping on Lake Powell.

Lake Powell currently offers 4 marinas. Lodging and boating services are provided year-round at these developed areas on Lake Powell, except Dangling Rope. Be sure to take the boat trip to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. It is an easy, fun way to see Lake Powell -- just sit back an relax. The hike from the courtesy docks at the Rainbow Bridge is approximately 2.5 miles round-trip. Wear good footwear and take plenty of food and water.

Public launching capabilities are open and available at Wahweap, Stateline, Antelope Point, Bullfrog, and Halls Crossing. We have added a link to their web camers. More informtion below.

Wahweap

Wahweap main ramp is open with concrete surfaces. Stateline Ramp is open with concrete surfaces. The pumpout at Wahweap is open while the pumpout at Stateline will open for the season by Memorial Day. Stateline-A (Alternative Ramp) is closed to launching of any vessel but is open as a day use area. Boat and land-based fuel are available. The Wahweap Lodge is open for overnight accommodation and the Rainbow Room Restaurant is open. Lake Powell Sports is now open for the season.

The National Park Service also provides a self-service ranger station at Wahweap, drinking water, restrooms, free boat pump-out stations, picnic area with grills, fish-cleaning station, and ranger programs in the summer.

Wahweap Marina, 5.5 miles from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center along Lakeshore Drive, is operated by ARAMARK, the park concessioner. It provides a variety of services, including: lodging, food services, gift shops, 2 campgrounds (one with hook-ups), laundry, showers, and a service station. Full marina services include: slips, buoys, boat rentals, tours, repairs, dry storage and fueling.

The city of Page, 2 miles from the dam and visitor center, has stores, motels, restaurants, churches, hospital, and museum. Page can be reached by surfaced roads year-round, and by air from Phoenix. Click Here for a PDF map

Click here for web camera at the marina

Bullfrog Marina

Bullfrog Marina is approximately 95 miles up Lake Powell from Glen Canyon Dam, with the Waterpocket Fold on one side and the Henry Mountains on the other. It offers the largest array of services of any of the uplake marinas.

Bullfrog main ramp is open with a concrete surface to the water’s edge. The Bullfrog pumpout is operational and boat and land-based fuel are available.

This same building also houses National Park Service offices for the uplake District and Bullfrog Subdistrict. In addition, a medical clinic operates from this building from May through September. A physician's assistant staffs this facility and provides emergency medical care. NPS medics are on duty year-round. Emergency medical evacuation by helicopter and fixed wing aircraft is available.

The National Park Service also provides a launch ramp, portable toilet dump station, picnic area, fish cleaning station, and paved landing strip for aircraft.

The concessioner, ARAMARK, provides a full complement of visitor services, including: a lodge, housekeeping units, food services, gift shop, grocery store, 2 campgrounds (one with hook-ups), laundry, showers, service station, boat rental, boat tours, and boat repair. There is a post office in Bullfrog.

The State of Utah maintains a regularly scheduled ferry, capable of carrying cars, trucks, rv's and trailers, which runs between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. This is a fee service and is available on a first come, first served basis. The ferry is occasionally out of service for repairs. If ferry service is crucial to your trip, we recommend you call ahead to verify that it is in service.

Phone: NPS, Bullfrog: 435-684-7400 Click Here for a PDF map

Halls Crossing Marina

Halls Crossing is located on Lake Powell, about 95 (153km) miles upstream from Glen Canyon Dam, directly across the lake from Bullfrog Marina. The National Park Service maintains a Boater Contact Station at Halls Crossing that is staffed intermittently during the summer. It also provides a launch ramp and free boat pump-out station. Halls Crossing Ramp is open with a concrete surface. All marina concession facilities are open, including the fuel dock and marina store. Pumpout facilities are operational near the public launch ramp. he ferry is occasionally out of service for repairs. If ferry service is crucial to your trip, we recommend you call ahead to verify that it is in service.
Phone: NPS, Halls Crossing: 435-684-7460 Click Here for PDF Map

Dangling Rope Marina

Fuel and pumpout services are available at Dangling Rope. The Dangling Rope store is currently open and the snack bar will be open in late-May. Dangling Rope is only accessible by water. There is no boat launching available. ARAMARK, the park concessioner, provides limited services at Dangling Rope, including: boat fuel, minor boat repair, and a supply store including some groceries. This is the only place to get boat fuel between Wahweap and the Halls Crossing/Bullfrog area.

Antelope Point Marina is located approximately 5 miles uplake from Glen Canyon Dam on the main channel. Land access is from Highway 98. Antelope Point Public Launch Ramp is open with concrete surfaces for park visitors to launch their own vessels. Antelope Point Navajo Launch Ramp is open. Fuel is available at the marina and a fuel dock store is open. Click Here for a PDF map