News Release

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Focuses on Health and Safety of Visitors and Employees in Response to Coronavirus

Date: March 18, 2020
Contact: Mary Plumb, 928-608-6202

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is focusing on public and employee health and safety as it implements temporary operational changes in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. To protect visitors and employees and minimize transmission of COVID-19, the park is immediately implementing changes for the next 30 days to practice social distancing while addressing hand-to-hand contact, as recommended by the White House and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Starting March 18, visitors to Glen Canyon will utilize automated fee machines at National Park Service (NPS) operated entrance stations and self-service fee payment stations (also known as “iron rangers”). All NPS ranger-led programs are postponed for 30 days. At the Glen Canyon Dam Carl Hayden Visitor Center near Page, Arizona, NPS staff will be located outside the building during normal business hours to answer visitor questions. Outside porta-potties will be available. Carl Hayden Visitor Center exhibits, retail, Glen Canyon Dam tours and inside restrooms will not be available. The Glen Canyon Conservancy is deferring opening of the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center near Lees Ferry and its flagship store located at 12 North Lake Powell Blvd. in Page, Arizona for 30 days.

Self-led visitor activities are encouraged and other visitor services (such as fish cleaning stations) remain available. Visitors are urged to follow Leave No Trace practices and to pack out all trash. All visitors are encouraged to follow CDC guidance to help contain the spread of COVID-19.  

The NPS is focused on ensuring our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners are safe by following the most current guidance and data from the CDC, state and local public health authorities, and the Department of Interior’s Office of Emergency Management. U.S. Public Health Service officers assigned to the NPS are closely monitoring the situation and keeping staff informed.