Lake Powell: Discovering the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona

Glen Canyon Dam was built from 1956-66 in order to protect Lake Mead from filling up with silt from the Colorado River. With approximately 1,960 miles of shoreline, it has done its job. At the time it was built, and it continues on to this day, the dam and lake were very controversial. Much of Glen Canyon was flooded, burying habitat, ancient artifacts, and lovely rock formations.

Lake Powell is quite off the beaten path for a tourist destination. Going from Flagstaff, Arizona, you must travel along U.S. Route 89 through Navajo Reservation land, with few facilities along the way. This used to be a dangerous road to travel, but it has been widened to four lanes in most places to improve this. The one big plus is most of the route parallels the incredible Painted Desert, so there is much to see as you drive. Also, there is an interesting Navajo trading post in Cameron to stop and visit along the way.

While there is more than one place to stay along the lake, the Wahweap/Page, Arizona area is the main one. It is close by the dam and the Carl Heyden Visitors Center, a huge marina at Wahweap, the Lake Powell Resort, and several tours of the lake and nearby Antelope Canyon.

Lake Powell in Arizona - photo by Wolfgang Staudt

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One of the more interesting "time travel" experiences converges on the area during Daylight Savings Time. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time, but the Navajo Reservation and Utah do. Thus you can pass back and forth through time (zones) very easily from Arizona to the reservation, back to Arizona, and to Utah in less than an hour. Just make sure when you book a tour that you know what time zone the operator is using!

As mentioned above, several tours are offered in the Page area. One that never fails to inspire awe is the Rainbow Bridge Tour. This is sacred ground to the Navajos and is located on their land. Before the lake, it was only accessible by a grueling hike or horseback ride into Navajo out country. Now, a boat takes you on a tour of the lower part of the lake, passing by rock formations that take your breath away, to dock within a short half-mile to one mile easy hike (depending on lake levels) of Rainbow Bridge. This is the world's largest natural bridge, spanning 275 feet, standing 295 high. Truly a natural wonder of this earth.

While at Wahweap, you'll notice a selection of really cool houseboats at the marina. Most have some kind of water slide attached to them and are privately owned, but Lake Powell Resorts offers a nice selection for rent. Most accommodate 6-12 people, and at the prices they charge, you'll want to share the fun/expense with friends or relatives. They give you navigational maps and houseboat instructions for beginners. I have never done this, but it sounds like fun, especially if you enjoy sleeping under the stars on the top deck, swimming, fishing, and jet skiing, all on a clean, blue lake surrounded by majestic towers of rock. Just book a year to 9 months in advance for the summer months.

Page is also a good center for touring several national parks and monuments: Grand Canyon North Rim, Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelly, Escalante, Lee's Ferry, Navajo National Monument, Wupatki, Vermillion Cliffs, and Pipe Spring are all within easy reach.

I took this easygoing trip with my sister and kids. It was a cool, relaxing afternoon and I got the best "dam" picture I ever took!

About the Author: Jane lives in southeast Arizona with her husband, three granddaughters, and the family parrots. She is an Annual Passholder for Disneyland as well as a Disney Vacation Club member.

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Reader Comments:

Great read. Loved the article. Went here back in 1998 and had a great time. Visited the Navajo Trading Post and Restaurant for lunch. Great food and the portions are huge. Also took the boat ride on Lake Powell which was fantastic. I also took another excursion being a flight in a small plane over Monument Valley. Unbelievable views and it was so worth it.

I was on a package tour for this and also covered the California Coast, Yosemite, Scottsdale, AZ, Las Vegas and a number of other National Parks including the Grand Canyon. You must do this!

     SuperDave on October 10, 2010 @ 5:37 pm

We visited Lake Powell in 2000 just after a 4 night visit to the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the Grand Canyon. It was an awesome experience. We traveled with a group of friends and rented a house boat with a slide for 4 nights. Saw Rainbow Bridge and many other beautiful sights. I would highly recommend this as a fun family, friends, or couples destination!!!

     mommadjones on October 11, 2010 @ 8:37 am

We went to Lake Powell last year when we went to the Grand Canyon and loved it -- so beautiful! My son loved the "beach" and had so much fun playing in the sand! I would also highly recommend Zion National Park to anyone who might be visiting Arizona and Utah. It was amazing!!!!

     Kelli2Disney07 on October 11, 2010 @ 11:36 am

kelli2disney07;3456898 >We went to Lake Powell last year when we went to the Grand Canyon and loved it -- so beautiful! My son loved the "beach" and had so much fun playing in the sand! I would also highly recommend Zion National Park to anyone who might be visiting Arizona and Utah. It was amazing!!!!

Loved Zion too. The trails are amazing with such great views. Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah is also worth a trip. Love the spires and red rock colors. Sedona in Arizona is another great place to go too. So much to see and do in this part of the country. I also took a helicopter ride from Vegas to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Amazing experience from the bottom. It's a lot warmer at the bottom as it's sea level. From above is a good mile or so high. Had a nice champagne lunch down here, right by the Colorado River. A bit expensive, but well worth it.

     SuperDave on October 11, 2010 @ 2:23 pm

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Updated 04/15/2010 - Article #450 

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