🏕️National Park Data
Woman raises her arms while standing in front of a sandstone butte
Green river winds through high cliffs.
A concrete dam plugs high canyon walls. Buildings and wires on the sides.
Three kayaks on the lake.
Log cabin and fences with a wooden wagon.
National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Arizona•Utah

💰
Entrance Fee
$30
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Page, AZ
📞
Visitor Center
9286086200
⭐

Expert Verdict & Insider Tips

⭐ **My Rating: 4.3/5** **The Vibe**: Quiet and wild, offering great opportunities for solitude. **Insider Advice**: * Visit mid-week or early in the morning to enjoy the quietest views. Weekend afternoons can get busy near the main visitor centers. * Campsites in this area fill up quickly during summer. Book your spot at recreation.gov well in advance. * The sun is intense here. Bring sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and drink at least 2 liters of water even on short walks.

If you are planning a trip to Arizona and Utah, visiting Glen Canyon National Recreation Area should definitely be on your list. This beautiful national recreation area is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you have just a few hours or a whole weekend, there is plenty to explore.

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About Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a national recreation area located in Arizona and Utah. The weather in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 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 (and the crowds!).

There are multiple districts in Glen Canyon very far away from each other. Avoid a two hundred mile detour and make sure you know which district you are going to before you begin travelling here.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

General entry to Entrance - Education/Academic Groups is free. General admission passes are not required.

🥾 Things to Do

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, ATV Off-Roading, Auto Off-Roading, Scenic Driving, and 24 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Auto and ATV
✅ ATV Off-Roading
✅ Auto Off-Roading
✅ Scenic Driving
✅ Astronomy Guide →✅ Stargazing Guide →
✅ Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Boating
✅ Motorized Boating
✅ Jet Skiing
✅ Boat Tour
✅ Camping Guide →✅ Fishing Guide →
✅ Food
✅ Dining
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Auto
✅ Boat Tour
✅ Hands-On
✅ Volunteer Vacation
✅ Hiking Guide →
✅ Paddling
✅ Kayaking
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Swimming
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Glen Canyon

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Glen Canyon

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Glen Canyon before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for Glen Canyon. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Glen Canyon get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Altitude & Hydration: The thin air and dry heat in this region will dehydrate you quickly. Pack at least 3 to 4 liters of water per person per day and pack electrolyte replacements.
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Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, encompassing scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a vast panorama of human history.

Seasonal Visitor Guides

🌸
spring Guide
☀️
summer Guide
🍂
fall Guide
❄️
winter Guide

Frequently Asked Questions about Glen Canyon

The entrance fee for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is $30 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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