Lake Powell

Enjoy some of the finest water recreation opportunities in the world at Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the United States. Visitors can rent houseboats, personal watercraft, powerboats, kayaks, and other water toys, or bring their own. Camping and other overnight amenities make it easy to enjoy the lake for multiple days. 

Lake Powell is 186 miles from end to end and has nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline (more than the west coast of the United States). With more than 90 major canyons, the scenic lake offers plenty of space to find your own solitude. 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 

Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area, managed by the National Park Service, stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah. It encompasses scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a vast panorama of human history. 

Rainbow Bridge National Monument

One of the natural wonders of the world, the Rainbow Bridge National Monument has been formed by water flowing from Navajo Mountain towards the Colorado River, eroding the sandstone.  

Until the formation of Lake Powell, the bridge was several miles from the shores of the Colorado River, up Bridge Canyon. It was one of the most remote and inaccessible regions in the United States. Today, the shores of Lake Powell, which flooded Glen Canyon after the Glen Caynon Dam was built in 1963, now bring boaters to its base. 

Rising up at the edge of Lake Powell, it may be reached by boat, on foot, or on horseback. Rainbow Bridge is located 50 boat miles northeast of Wahweap Marina. Boat cruises from Wahweap or Bullfrog Marinas are offered daily. Except for a courtesy boat dock there are no services. 

Trailheads to Rainbow Bridge may be reached via unpaved roads on the Navajo Indian Reservation south of Lake Powell. Hikers must have a permit from the Navajo Nation. The most commonly used trails are the 14-mile trail from the Navajo Mountain Trading Post or the 13-mile trail from the abandoned Rainbow Lodge. Scenic flights over Rainbow Bridge can be arranged at Bullfrog and Wahweap. The best times to hike are April, May early June, September and October. 

History 

In 1869 Major John Wesley Powell led an expedition into the area as he explored the area that is now officially known as the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 to fulfill the terms of a water use compact between several states. 

It is a reservoir of the Colorado River—the fifth largest river in the United States and a major source of water for Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Wyoming, and Nevada. The water level of the lake fluctuates by season and by year, creating new areas of shoreline to explore during lower levels and expanded water recreation areas during higher levels. Check current water levels and boat ramp availability from the National Park Service here: https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/changing-lake-levels.htm