Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Public Health Update
Updated Friday, October 16, 2020 - 7:30 am MST
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 gradually 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.
The following precautions are being taken due to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is open, and can offer Essential services only, as defined by the Department of the Interior: Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement, Aids to Navigation, and public utilities (including radio, telephone and information technology services). Essential administrative services are being completed via mandatory telework. Public information will continue via the park website and telephone. All park administrative office buildings are closed until further notice. e-mail us or call during business hours 928-608-6200 for general information.
The trail to Horseshoe Bend Overlook remains open. The park urges visitors to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by practicing social distancing and avoiding congregations of 10 or more people. The City of Page has updated information about the parking area.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time until further notice:
When contemplating a visit to a national park, the NPS asks people to adhere to CDC guidance and Leave No Trace principles. The NPS encourages visitors to pack out everything you bring into a park; plan a visit at times other than busiest of the day; maintain social distance from other visitors; park only in designated areas; and reconsider parking at a crowded trailhead or overlook.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area visitors can be assured that the facilities in the park, including lodges, continue to monitor conditions and maintain high standards related to the health and wellness of staff and visitors.Park and concession staff are working to maintain clean and healthy facilities in accordance with CDC guidance.
Due to increased visitation, visitors to any Lake Powell beaches are advised to take standard precautions for possible water quality issues. This includes properly disposing of human and pet waste, practicing safe sanitation, washing their hands often and showering after swimming. For more information: Lake Powell Recreational Water Advisory
Recreate Responsibly
The NPS conducts thousands of search and rescues servicewide each year, many of which could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. During the ongoing health crisis, it’s critical that we make wise choices to keep our national park rangers and first responders out of harm’s way. Please follow these Recreate Responsibly tips to safely spend time outside:
Visit park websites for current park conditions and availability of restrooms and other facilities. Make a plan, follow the 10 Essentials, and if you are sick, stay home.
Follow the tribal, state and county orders governing the open status of the area you’re considering visiting. The National Park Service is working closely with governors and state and local health departments as we increase access and services across the National Park System.
Recreate with the people in your household. Give others plenty of room whether you are on a trail, at a boat launch, or in a parking lot. Follow the CDC social distancing guidelines for staying six feet away from others. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth if you’re near others.
Postpone challenging hikes or trying new activities while first responders, parks, and communities continue to concentrate on responding to the pandemic.
If you brought it, take it with you. Trash pickup and restroom facilities will continue to be limited in many park areas. Follow Leave No Trace principles.
National Park Service Public Health Service Officers Recommend that Everyone Should Take the Following Routine Precautions:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use >60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or do so into your elbow. Dispose of the tissue and wash your hands again.
Practicing social distancing and avoid congregations of 10 or more people. In the office, keep 6 feet of separation between yourself and others to reduce the potential spread of infection.
Use virtual tools instead of holding in-person meetings.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Most important, if you experience flu symptoms or any serious infection or virus, please stay home to avoid exposing others.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is located in a large area across Arizona and Utah, and shares a border with the Navajo Nation. The park fully supports all state, tribal, and county ordinances issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Can't come visit Glen Canyon because of the current health situation? Download these coloring pages and color your best vacation here! Send us a picture of your colored page to our Facebook or Instagram tagged #MyGlenCanyonColors and we might feature it!
Note: this is a pdf of images with non-machine readable text.
Before you hit the lake, know this!
NPS
Quick Links
View the park webcams, most positioned at launch ramps and marinas, to see park conditions district by district.
Check the Seasonal Hours to see what times the places you want to visit are open.
Check the regularly updated Road Conditions report from nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Roads that lead into or near Glen Canyon are highlighted.
News Releases cover breaking news about Glen Canyon and your visit here. Are you looking for more in-depth or ongoing information about Glen Canyon? Check our Advisories page for important issues.
Navigation hazards change daily, boaters should use caution and be very watchful of unexpected underwater hazards as well as other boaters and kayaks. Be aware of pieces of branches that could be as large as full trees floating in the lake. This debris could damage lower units when struck. Water levels are significantly different than past seasons, so commonly known boating paths and saved GPS routes may not be safe with current lake levels.
We only mark the main channel with navigational and hazard buoys so if people go into side canyons be sure to go slow, watch for other boaters, kayaks, and rocks, remember to stay 150' away from other boats when going faster than wakeless speed. There are a lot of blind corners in narrow side canyons so always expect another vessel to be going the opposite direction and be ready to react if necessary.
As always, watch your children around water. If they are 12 years or younger they must wear life jackets.
Recreational water advisory: Never swim in waters that have algal scum floating on the water which may indicate that a Harmful Algal Bloom is occurring. Always wash your hands before eating, shower with soap after playing in the water, and never go in the water if you have open sores or cuts.
Cliff jumping or jumping off anything man made or natural 15' or higher is illegal. There have been several fatalities due to cliff jumping over the years.
Do not swim around boats that have engines or generators running due to the danger of prop cuts and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Boating at night is always extremely dangerous and should be avoided if possible.
A viewing platform at Horseshoe Bend creates a safe space along the rim.
NPS
Horseshoe Bend
The iconic Horseshoe Bend is a busy place. Improvements at Horseshoe Bend Overlook are currently underway, including a new accessible trail, shade structures, and a larger parking lot.
The City of Page requires Horseshoe Bend visitors to pay for parking at the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. Private vehicles: $10 per car • $5 per motorcycle Commercial van/bus: $35 up to 14 passengers • $70 up to 35 passengers • $140 over 35 passengers.
National Park Service passes do not apply for the parking lot. Contact the City of Page for questions about the parking at Horseshoe Bend.
Check the forecast and be ready for temperatures and winds changing throughout the day.
NPS
Weather Conditions
Be ready for a mix of hot days and cool nights. As summer picks up, plan your day with the weather in mind. Try to limit your outdoor activities to the mornings or lqate afternoons, when the sun is not directly above. Despite the giant lake all around you, this is always a desert. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and eat salty snacks to help relpace the electrlytes you lose through sweat. Wear sun protection, hats, light loose clothing, sunscreen. Know the signs of heat illness. NEVER leave children or pets in parked, unattended vehicles. Expect wind! Northern Arizona is known for unpredictable winds. Afternoon storms can bring flash floods, even when the skies are blue above you. Check the forecast, especially before boating. A good place to start is the National Weather Service forecast for Page, AZ or our Weather page.
Check the UDOT webpage for updates.
NPS
Charles Hall Ferry Current Operations
This ferry runs between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. Utah travelers should know that without the ferry, State Route 276 does not connect and they must use Hwy 95 to drive north and south around Lake Powell. Find more information by calling the Utah Department of Transportation at 435-893-4747, or on on the ferry page of the UDOT website.
(928) 608-6200 Receptionist available at Glen Canyon Headquarters from 7 am to 4 pm MST, Monday through Friday. The phone is not monitored when the building is closed.
