Glen Canyon & Lake Powell

With nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline, Lake Powell creates a surprising oasis in northern Arizona’s high desert.

The amazing geologic formations at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area include picturesque Lake Powell, one of the most visited lakes in the U.S. Lake Powell stretches from the Glen Canyon Dam near Page nearly 200 miles up the Colorado River into Utah. Expect a scenic natural backdrop that’s every bit as astonishing as neighboring Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Painted Desert. Options for lakeside lodging include resorts, campsites and houseboats — arguably the best way to capture the true Lake Powell experience.

Get on the Water

Lake Powell is uncommonly good looking from the land, a vast expanse of water in an otherworldly landscape of red rock formations. But the best way to experience the area’s scenic beauty is aboard a watercraft. The lake has miles of surface area for visitors to enjoy full-throttle waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and skimming the lake on a houseboat. With so much room to stretch out, the remote area features small, sandy beaches and secret coves to explore. Visitors can bring their own boats or rent boats from area outfitters.

Create Epic Fish Stories

Anglers head to Lake Powell to cast a line at one of Arizona’s most popular fishing destinations. Take a boat out to find secret coves where game fish are prolific, including walleye, bass and catfish. Below the Glen Canyon Dam — the second-largest concrete arch dam in the U.S. after the Hoover Dam — anglers try their luck landing local trout. Reel in these cold-water creatures while surrounded by red sandstone cliffs that jut up hundreds of feet above the water.

Visit Scenic Wonders

The city of Page is the gateway to two of Northern Arizona’s most photographed destinations. At Horseshoe Bend, visitors with cameras in hand are afforded views of the Colorado River as it winds through Glen Canyon. Find the trailhead off Highway 89. The roundtrip walk is just over 1 mile and takes visitors to a scenic overlook that you must see to believe. Located on the south shore of Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon attracts hikers to astonishing slot canyons. Squeeze through narrow sandstone walkways surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. Guided tours are required to access Antelope Canyon, which is located on private land within the Navajo Nation.