Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Public Health Update
Updated Monday, April 6, 2020 - 2:00 pm MST.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, in response to Declarations of Emergency issued by the states of Arizona and Utah; Coconino County, Arizona; City of Page Arizona; and the Navajo Nation, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support tribal, federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Scroll down to access the individual emergency plans form each jurisdiction related to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
The following precautions are being taken due to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area can only offer very Essential services only, as defined by the Department of 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.
Lake Powell Public launch rampsare closed as of 5pm April 6, 2020. - More Info . The public launch ramp at Lees Ferry remains open.
Public restrooms are closed.
Campgrounds in Glen Canyon are closed: Wahweap, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing, Lone Rock Beach, Stanton Creek, Farley Canyon, North Wash, Lees Ferry. Beehive campground is open with a limit of three days, but camping beyond the campground is prohibited.
Day use areas at Wahweap Overlook and the Chains area near Page, Arizona are closed. Day use of Lone Rock Beach is also suspended.
The park will not issue permits, conduct on-site public or educational programs or collect trash.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Entrance Stations are open with fees suspended. No fee booth locations or Headquarters will be selling passes. You may enter the park.
All visitor contact buildings are closed. This includes Park Headquarters, Carl Hayden Visitor Center, Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, and Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center. Exhibits, indoor restrooms, and tours of the Glen Canyon Dam will not be available during this time.
View a comprehensive list of services that may be open or closed here.
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.
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.
Full News Releases Associated With COVID-19 Precautions
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.
Read about the following emergency declarations/updates:
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.
Be sure to check weather forecasts before your day on the water.
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.
Visit the Bureau of Reclamation Water Operations webpage for data on lake levels, inflow, and release.
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 changing throughout the day.
NPS
Weather Conditions
Be ready for a mix of sunshine and cold nights. Layer up for your day out in the park. While the danger of heat illness is low, this is always a desert. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Even in winter, the sun shines brightly and you should wear sun protection. 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
The ferry that runs between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing is currently closed for repairs. 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 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.
