News Release

Fatality on San Juan River near Clay Hills in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Date: June 11, 2025
Contact: Media Inquiries Only

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, Ariz. – On Sunday, June 8 at approximately 3 pm MST, a 50-year-old male, resident of Kayenta, Arizona, was overtaken by river currents downstream of Paiute Farms Wash in the San Juan River in San Juan County, Utah. The Navajo Nation Police Department served as the lead agency in the subsequent search and recovery effort and located the individual, who was found deceased and is presumed to have drowned. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor and Resource Protection Rangers extend their thanks to the Navajo Nation Police Department, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management Canyon Country District - Monticello Field Office, Intermountain Health (Classic Air Medical), and Utah Department of Public Safety for their efforts on this incident.

“Our sympathies go to the family, friends, and our local communities impacted by this loss,” said Acting Superintendent Jake Ohlson.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encourages park visitors to be aware of moving water as currents can be deceptively strong. Read more about Water Safety.