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The staff of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument want you to have an enjoyable and relaxing time while visiting the park. We also want you to be safe and to treat the resources here with care, so that future generations may enjoy them as well. The dangers here are real, but most can be avoided by good planning, a watchful eye, and smart decision making. Stay Safe and Your Rainbow Bridge Trip Will Be GreatWeatherThe weather in Rainbow Bridge National Monument is usually typical for the high deserts. Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Winters are moderately cold with night time lows often below freezing. Spring weather is highly variable and unpredictable with extended periods of winds. Fall weather is usually nice and mild, a great time to beat the heat. Temperatures can range from 110° F (38°C) in June & July to 0° F (-16°C) in December & January. Precipitation is generally light (less than 6 inches [15.2cm] annually) though heavy rains and flash flooding is possible during the summer and fall "monsoons." Glen Canyon's backcountry varies a great deal in elevation, terrain, and water availablity. All of these are influenced by the weather. We recommend lightweight, light colored clothing for summer, including a hat. Layers of clothing are best for other times of the year. Check out the Desert Safety tab below for more information on how to stay cool in the hot desert. WindBe prepared for the spring high winds! Always check the forecast online or your favorive weather app before you head on an outdoor adventure.There may be 35-55mph gusts! If you are out on the lake, stay at camp until the wind or storm is over. If you are alredy out on the water, stay calm. Try not to rock your boat any more than the wind is already doing. If you can get to a side canyon with not as much wind blowing through, try to. Help may not be available, rangers on boats or helicopters can't travel until the wind is over either. Flash FloodsBe flash flood aware:
LightningDesert thunderstorms carry the double threat of flash floods and lightning. They occur most often during the monsoons in summer. Be wary of nearby storms. The same warnings about high winds on the water apply to lightning. Lightning can be attracted to water, so try to get your boat to safety. Rangers cannot travel until the storm is over. The desert can be a harsh and unforgiving environment, especially if you are not accustomed to it. Drink Plenty of WaterDrink plenty of water, even when you are not thirsty, your body can lose large amounts of water without you realizing it. Be aware of balancing fluid and electrolyte levels. Have with you at least 1 gallon (4 L) of drinking water per person, per day. Take It Easy In The Hot Summer DaysDress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Watch for Signs of TroubleIf you feel dizzy, nauseous, or a headache, get out of the sun immediately and drink water or sports drinks. Dampen clothing to lower body temperature. Be alert for symptoms in others.
Travel Prepared to SurviveCheck road conditions before you leave AND at the nearest ranger station/visitor center if you take an unpaved road. Do not trust your vessel or cell phone's GPS to take you down a canyon. Carry extra drinking water in your vessel in case of emergency. If your vessel breaks down, stay with it until help comes. Backcountry TravelAvoid hiking in the heat. Hikers and backpackers need to be self-reliant and well prepared. Always plan out your trip ahead of time, carry detailed maps, and let someone know your itinerary. Low water levels have created new navigational hazards throughout the lake. The park’s Aids to Navigation team marks primary travel channels but cannot mark every hazard due to fluctuating water levels and the lake’s size. You may encounter newly exposed shorelines, submerged obstacles, and narrower or shifting channels in some areas. As marinas are repositioned to adjust to changing water levels, no-wake zones may also shift, boaters should remain alert and carefully watch for buoys and updated markers at all times. At current lake levels, Rainbow Bridge docks do not reach the land. Dock-to-trail access to Rainbow Bridge will not be available until water levels rise again. Before going out on the water, check weather forecasts and look for storm warning flags at marinas. If a storm breaks while you are out, seek shelter in a protected cove immediately and wait until the storm passes. Lightning is also a hazard on open water. Bow riding (sitting on the top front part of the boat) is illegal unless the boat is designed for people to ride in the bow section (the bow section will have seats). All boaters must know and follow applicable state & federal boating requirements, as well as carry all required equipment on their vessels. Copies of this information are available at visitor centers. Please check our Boating page for more information or visit the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Resource Center. Additional information is available from the states of Arizona and Utah. How to Recognize Possible QuicksandWet, loose, or unusually smooth ground Unexpected water seepage or pooling Shifting, rippling, or vibrating soil Dry-looking surfaces that feel soft or spongy Depressions or saturated low spots Fine sediment mixed with water General, Evidence‑Based Steps for Safely Escaping From QuicksandStay calm and avoid sudden movements Lean back to spread out body weight Slowly work legs upward Create space around the legs Use slow, controlled movements to move toward firmer ground If available, use a sturdy object for leverage Call for assistance if escape is difficult Desert creatures of all sizes can hurt you if you are not careful. Please be aware of biting and stinging animals, arachnids, and insects. A few venomous animals live in the park, including rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders. While a scorpion sting is likely to be mild (like a strong bee sting), anyone bitten by a black widow spider or rattlesnake should seek medical attention as soon as possible. It is illegal to feed animals in the park. Providing wild animals food may have a negative impact. Wildlife need only the natural habitat elements - food, water, and shelter - provided by their environment. Animals used to humans may become aggerssive, especially if they have rabies. Seek medical attention if you are bit by a critter. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a potentially deadly disease spread by infected wild rodents, especially mice. People become infected when the virus becomes airborne—when dust is stirred up or nests are disturbed, especially in confined spaces. Recently, cases of this respiratory disease have been confirmed on the nearby Navajo Nation. Learn more about how to protect yourself from Hantavirus.
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Last updated: September 30, 2026