News Release

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Continues to Increase Recreational Access to Lake Powell

Boating on Lake Powell

NPS

News Release Date: May 13, 2020

Contact: Mary Plumb, 928-608-6202

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 15, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will reopen access to:

• The Lake Powell Main Public Launch Ramps at Bullfrog and Wahweap will be open 7 days a week to all boats and begin overnight use. The ramps will be available at sunrise on Friday, May 15 and Aquatic Invasive Species staff will be present on these ramps from sunup to sundown, local time.
• The Halls Crossing ramp will reopen Friday, Saturday and Sunday for day use only (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., local time). Aquatic Invasive Species staff will be present on the ramp.
• Dangling Rope restrooms will be open fulltime.

Beginning May 15, Glen Canyon’s concessioner (Aramark) will reopen access to:

• The Bullfrog RV Park and Campground (including bathrooms and shower facilities).
• Fuel docks at the Stateline Launch Ramp located in the Wahweap District near Page, Arizona, and at Hall’s Crossing.

Beginning May 22, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will reopen access to:

• The Lake Powell Halls Crossing public launch ramp will be open 7 days a week to all boats and begin overnight use. The ramp will be available at sunrise on May 22.

In addition, entry fees are waived, and the following spaces continue to be available:

• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open with continued access to the majority of the 1.25 million acres that comprise the park. Many opportunities remain available to enjoy the park, including hiking opportunities, shoreline fishing, beach access, human powered water recreation, and recreation on the Colorado River corridor.
• On Lake Powell the following services are also available: fuel docks; boat pumpouts; floating restrooms; and except for Hite, all fish cleaning stations.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• The public boat ramp at Antelope Point Marina remains closed.
• Some concessions operations continue to be temporarily suspended. For more information please visit: Concessions operations
• Some park facilities and areas are temporarily closed. For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

According to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent William Shott, “We are pleased that we are able to continue to increase access to the recreation area as planned. We have only been able to do so because of the assistance we’ve received from our partners and because our visitors have been so responsible. As we continue to move toward a new normal for this season please be aware it will look different from years past. Visitors should be prepared for new operating procedures at our ramps, fewer or delayed services from us and our concessioners, and a continued emphasis on everyone’s health and safety. Visitors are also asked to be mindful that the Navajo Nation is currently under an emergency declaration and shelter in place order if traveling through the nation and to respect those closures.” Shott especially wants to thank the region’s formal and informal civic leaders. “I hesitate to say there’s anything positive about this pandemic but if there is a silver lining to this crisis it’s that we have been able to strengthen our partnerships with many state, tribal, county, community and municipal leaders while working together to address issues.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.