"Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - Lake Powell - Reflection Canyon" by NPS Photo/Gary Ladd , public domain
Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area - AZ, UT
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a recreation and conservation unit of the National Park Service that encompasses the area around Lake Powell and lower Cataract Canyon in Utah and Arizona, covering 1,254,429 acres of mostly desert.
Map of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument (NM) in Arizona. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Map of the Daily Lottery Permit Application Geofence Perimeter for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (NM), Arizona Strip BLM Field Office area and Kanab BLM Field Office area in Utah and Arizona. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Map of Allotments and Pastures of the Teasdale Section of Fremont Ranger District in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Allotments and Pastures of the Loa Section of Fremont Ranger District in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Allotments and Pastures of the Salina Section of Richfield Ranger District in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Allotments and Pastures of the Monroe Section of Richfield Ranger District in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of Fremont River Ranger District (Teasdale Portion) in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of Fremont River Ranger District (North) in Fishlake National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
https://www.nps.gov/glca
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Canyon_National_Recreation_Area
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a recreation and conservation unit of the National Park Service that encompasses the area around Lake Powell and lower Cataract Canyon in Utah and Arizona, covering 1,254,429 acres of mostly desert.
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.
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.
Bullfrog Visitor Center
Open seasonally. Exhibits relating to geology and the human and natural history of Glen Canyon, including a life-size model of a slot canyon! Ancestral Puebloan and pioneer artifacts. Bookstore, restrooms. Located in the same building as the emergency medical clinic.
Located approximately 100 miles south of Interstate 70, just north of the launch ramp on Hwy 276.
Carl Hayden Visitor Center
Main visitor center for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Exhibits about recreation and historic water use. Tours of Glen Canyon Dam are closed.
On Highway 89 two miles north of Page, AZ, across the Glen Canyon Bridge. Building is attached to Glen Canyon Dam.
Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
This center is jointly run by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Bureau of Land Management), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (National Park Service), and Dixie National Forest (National Forest Service). It features outdoor exhibits focusing on trip planning and interior exhibits on the scientific research surrounding the Escalante region. Permits for hikes into Glen Canyon Wilderness must be obtained here in person. Call ahead for permit status and road conditions. 435-826-5499.
Off State Highway 12 at 755 W Main in Escalante, UT
Glen Canyon Conservancy Flagship
An official visitor center for the state of Arizona, and acting as Glen Canyon's supplementary visitor center in Page AZ, the Flagship office and retail store is a great place to start your Glen Canyon adventure. Our partners Glen Canyon Conservancy offer the historic big relief map that originally anchored the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Let the knowledgeable staff help you plan your trip, browse the retail store for books, maps, and gear that you'll need during your visit.
From US Highway 89, turn onto North Lake Powell Boulevard. In one mile, the Flagship will be on your left. If you go through the intersection of Lake Powell Blvd and North Navajo Street, you have gone too far.
Hans Flat Ranger Station
The remote Hans Flat (Maze) Ranger Station is normally open daily year-round. While physically located in Glen Canyon NRA, it is operated by the rangers of Canyonlands National Park. This ranger contact station has a picnic table and vault toilet, and a small selection of books and maps for sale. There are no services, food, gas, trash collection, electricity for visitor use, nor potable water. The nearest communities with amenities are Hanksville (68 miles) and Green River (86 miles).
Getting to the Orange Cliffs requires four-wheel-drive and a lot of time. To reach Hans Flat Ranger Station, from I-70 take UT 24 south for 24 miles. A left turn just beyond the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park will take you along an unpaved, two-wheel-drive dirt road, 46 miles to the ranger station. Blowing sand dunes or precipitation can degrade the road condition at any time. Roads beyond the ranger station require high clearance and four-wheel drive year-round.
Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center
Bookstore, outdoor exhibits, and self guided walks across the historic Navajo Bridge. This is a popular spot to look for California Condors.
US Highway 89A in Marble Canyon, AZ. On the west side of Navajo Bridge.
Antelope Point RV Park
While the Antelope Point RV park is not physically within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it is adjacent to the Antelope Point Marina. This is an RV site only. 104 full hook-up spaces, 15 pull-through spaces. Maximum Length - 70ft. 2 RV dump stations
Full Hook-up (30/40 amp) Daily
70.00
Daily rate for Full Hook-up (30/40 amp)
Full Hook-up (30/40 amp) Weekly
420.00
Weekly rate for Full Hook-up (30/40 amp)
Full Hook-up (30/50 amp) Daily
80.00
Daily Rate for Full Hook-up (30/50 amp)
Full Hook-up (30/50 amp) Weekly
480.00
Weekly rate for Full Hook-up (30/50 amp)
Antelope Point RV park
Aerial view of recreational vehicle campground
Antelope Point RV Park
Beehives Campground
No reservations. $14 per night. 6 designated sites. Across the highway from Wahweap South Entrance. Picnic table at each site. No hookups or dump stations. Pack it in, pack it out. No campfires or glass containers. Three-night camping limit.
Beehive Campground fees
14.00
$14 per site per night. Limit 3 nights.
Beehive Campground 1
Primitive campground with regulation sign. RV
The Beehive campground has six sites and no amenities.
Beehive campground 2
Six campsites on dirt grounds with sandstone cliffs above.
With no amenities at the Beehive campground, campers must pack out what they bring in.
Beehive campground 3
Two RVs and a black truck on rugged road. Mountain and cliffs in background.
A quick hike up the beehives gets you a pretty good view of the small campground and the iconic scenery.
Bullfrog RV & Campground
This campground is located in the Bullfrog developed area and is operated by Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas. 78 sites, restroom, phones, dump station, potable water station, ½ mile to laundry, store, post office, launch ramp. No reservations. Fees apply. The concessioner also operates a separate RV park with 24 sites, full hook-ups, restrooms, showers, and 1/2 mile to laundry, store, post office, launch ramp. For reservations visit www.lakepowell.com or call 800-528-6154. Fees apply.
RV site
46.00
Per night. National Park Service entrance fee not included. All are full hook-ups sites with water, sewer and 30 amp power. They can accommodate up to 50 ft.
Tent sites.
26.00
Per night. National Park Service entrance fee not included. No hookups.
Bullfrog RV Park 1
Gravel road with camping sites that have picnic tables, grills, hookups, two RVs
You don't need a boat to enjoy camping at Bullfrog.
Bullfrog RV Park 2
paved camping spot with picnic table, grill, and tree.
Pull right into a spot at the Bullfrog campground.
Bullfrog RV Park 3
Paved pullout with picnic table and grill, some trees.
Pull into a dry camping site with some tree cover.
Colorado River Primitive Camping Between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry
No reservations. Along the fifteen mile stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry, there are five primitive beaches set aside for camping, marked with signs, on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is permitted in these areas only, as they are provided with toilets and fire pits. These sites can only be accessed by small vessel. All campsites are located well above the river and require a short walk from your boat.
Lees Ferry Upriver Camping
0.00
If you have already paid the park entrance fee and the boating fee, there are no additional charges.
Lees Ferry Upriver Camping - Ferry Swale
River beach with shrubs and vault toilet
Ferry Swale is one of five designated camping sites upriver of Lees Ferry
Lees Ferry Upriver Camping - Ferry Swale View
Canyon wall from river level
Ferry Swale is an easy landmark to help find the camp site
Lees Ferry Upriver Camping - River
River in deep sandstone canyon
The view is pretty nice when you motor or paddle up to one of the designated camping sites
Dirty Devil Primitive Camping
Primitive camping along the high-water edge of the Dirty Devil River near Hite. No designated sites.
Farley Canyon primitive camping
Designated primitive camping areas that are accessible by vehicle and sometimes by vessel as well. First-come first served, no reservations. No designated sites. No potable water. When pit toilets are unavailable, campers must bring portable toilets for use and proper disposal into the sewer system. Quiet hours 10pm-6am. $12 per night.
Camping Fee
12.00
Per vehicle per night
Farley Canyon
Three people and a vehicle at the base of a large sandstone butte
Farley Canyon
Halls Crossing RV & Campground
With Halls Crossing RV Park & Campground, you're just steps from food, fun, and the Village Store. It's easy to get to Halls Crossing. Simply ride the ferry located at Bullfrog Marina and Halls Crossing, it's just a short ride away. Stop by the Village Store to check-in - and don't forget to pick up food and beverages while you are there.
Halls Crossing - Concessioner RV and Camping
100.00
This campground is not operated by the National Park Service. make your reservation at www.lakepowell.com
Lees Ferry Campground
No reservations. $20 per site/per night. 54 designated sites. No hookups. RV dump station. Grills provided, no open fires. Quiet time 10pm-6am. Modern bathroom/comfort station, potable water available, launch ramp 2 miles. Gas and supply store at Marble Canyon, about 5 miles away.
Lees Ferry Campground fees
20.00
54 designated sites. No hookups. RV dump station. Grills provided, no open fires. Quiet time 10pm-6am. Modern bathroom/comfort station, potable water available, launch ramp 2 miles. Gas and supply store at Marble Canyon, about 5 miles away. No reservations. $20 per site/per night.
Lees Ferry Campground 1
Dome tent and campsite overlooking river and sandstone cliffs
Enjoy the view of the Colorado River at Lees Ferry Campground
Lees Ferry Campground 2
Row of curved shade structures at campsites, RV in background
Plenty of room for you and your neighbors at the Lees Ferry campground
Lees Ferry Campground 3
Tent and shade structure. One small tree.
Campsites at Lees Ferry come with shade shelters.
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping Area
No reservations. $14 per vehicle/per night in addition to entry fees. Primitive camping is on a sandy beach or in dunes. No designated campsites. Maximum two vehicles per site. Open fires permitted, must be within four-foot squared area. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 4 micro flush toilets, 6 vault toilets, 1 comfort station/wheelchair accessible, outdoor cold shower, Off Road Vehicle area, dump station, potable water (seasonal), and day use area. No launch ramp.
Overnight camping at Lone Rock Beach - per vehicle per night - this is in addition to entrance fees
14.00
Primitive camping is on a sandy beach or in dunes. No designated campsites. Open fires permitted, must be within four foot squared area. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 4 micro flush toilets, 6 vault toilets, 1 comfort station/wheelchair accessible, outdoor cold shower, Off Road Vehicle area, dump station, potable water (seasonal), and day use area. No launch ramp. $14 per vehicle/per night in addition to entrance fees. Maximum two vehicles per site. No reservations.
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping - Tent
Two people sit in beach chairs in front of a tent pitched on a beach near the water's edge.
Pitch your tent wherever you want at Lone Rock Beach.
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping - Trailer
Airstream camper and beach chairs on beach next to lake and sandstone cliffs
Park yourself for a few nights on the beach at Lone Rock
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping - Recreational Vehicle
RV with group of people smiling in front
The whole family can enjoy the beach camping at Lone Rock.
Stanton Creek Primitive Camping Area
Designated primitive camping areas that are accessible by vehicle and sometimes by vessel as well. First-come first served, no reservations. No designated sites. No potable water. When pit toilets are unavailable, campers must bring portable toilets for use and proper disposal into the sewer system.
Lake Powell Primitive Camping Areas Fees
12.00
Fees for Stanton Creek, Hite, Dirty Devil, and Farley Canyon
Wahweap Campground & RV Park
112 dry campsites (no hook-ups), 90 full hook-ups, and 6 group camping sites. Facilities include restrooms, laundry, showers, store, phones, dump station and potable water. The amphitheater, picnic area and swim beach are nearby. To make reservations for full hook-ups, group or dry camping please visit www.lakepowell.com or call 800-528-6154. The Wahweap camping store is 928-645-1059. Fees vary.
Wahweap RV Park and Campground
Row of multicolored recreational vehicles separated by trees and pavement.
Room for everyone at the Wahweap RV park.
Wahweap Campground
Two tents with picnic tables and grills. Lake Powell in background.
Even without a boat, you can camp with a view of the lake.
Different vehicles at Wahweap campground.
Colorful van, truck towing a boat. lake Powell in background.
There's room to pull your boat into your camping spot.
Enjoy Lake Powell
Woman raises her arms while standing in front of a sandstone butte
Spending time on Lake Powell near Tower Butte can make anyone excited.
Horseshoe Bend
Green river winds through high cliffs.
The Colorado River makes a 270 degree turn at Horseshoe Bend. Watch your step at the 1000 foot drop!
Glen Canyon Dam
A concrete dam plugs high canyon walls. Buildings and wires on the sides.
Glen Canyon Dam is the country's second largest gravity arch dam. Take a tour from the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.
So Many Ways to Find Your Park
Three kayaks on the lake.
If motorized recreation isn't your thing, take a kayak and paddle through the high side canyons of Lake Powell.
Lonely Dell Ranch at Lees Ferry Historic District
Log cabin and fences with a wooden wagon.
Glen Canyon isn't just houseboats and wakeboards. Come down to Lees Ferry Historic District to relive pioneer times when crossing the river was a major undertaking.
Planning for the Future of the Dragonfly Mercury Project
Article on the 2019 Dragonfly Mercury Project steering committee meeting at Rocky Mountain National Park.
People searching a pond with nets.
Crystal Clear: Evaluating Water and Sediment Contamination and Accumulation in Biota
During 2004 a total of 20 sampling sites were established at various locations such as marinas, inflow areas, and selected high-use sites. Preliminary results indicated that between 2004 and 2006 contaminants increased. These results provided baseline information for long-term monitoring and to document change over time.
canyon image reflected in water
California Condor
Species description of the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus).
An adult condor with the wing tag label number 80 stands over a juvenile condor.
Structural Fire Awards Presented to Parks and Firefighters for Excellence in Service
In 2013 the NPS Office of Structural Fire presented awards to those parks and individuals who have made a difference over the past year in furthering the structural fire program agencywide. Article identifies recipients of Superior Achievement Award, Compliance Achievement Award, Outstanding Fire Instructor of the Year award, and Leadership Awards.
Structural Fire Training Incorporates Operational Leadership
Operational leadership has been integrated into the NPS Structural Firefighting Training Academy. Nearly all park fire departments need to work independently, because outside fire departments can take more than 30 minutes to respond. Each department must do everything possible to reduce hazards of the job. The academy has long seen the importance of incorporating safety initiatives and measures into its training curriculum.
Archeology and Industry: Gold Mining in Glen Canyon
During the early 20th-century Colorado River Gold Rush, many entrepreneurs such as Charles Spencer tried their luck with various mining ventures. Archeologists studied the remains of Spencer's mining camp and steamboat wreck to understand more about this short-lived industry.
Spencer’s crew in front of Lee’s Ferry fort.
Bat Projects in Parks: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
A group of youths teamed up to monitor bats in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. See what they found!
A youth looks on a device to locate bats by their calls
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah
Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports.
river in entrenched meander
PARKS...IN...SPAAAACE!!!
NASA astronauts have quite literally an out-of-this-world view of national parks and take some pretty stellar pictures to share. Travel along with the space station on its journey west to east getting the extreme bird’s eye view of national parks across the country. And one more down-to-earth.
View of Denali National Park & Preserve from space
SW CA Condor Update - 2013-01 (January)
From January 2013: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
Learning the Basics, Part 3
Follow two park rangers as they attend the NPS national structural fire training. On days 4 and 5 exhaustion set in. The trainees soldiered through practice moving with low or no visibility while wearing their self-contained breathing apparatus, calling mayday in the face of an emergency, moving an injured colleague out of danger, knot tying, and breaking up cars to extricate passengers.
fire training with shipping container fires
Learning the Basics, Part 4
Follow two park rangers as they attend the NPS national structural fire training. On days 6-9, trainees witnessed a controlled live burn inside a shipping container to experience the heat and smoke and learn about how fire moves, and learned about using existing sprinkler systems, precautions and firefighting techniques for compressed natural gas fires and liquefied gas, and extinguishing vehicle fires and removing occupants.
vehicle fire training
Learning the Basics, Part 5
Follow 2 trainees at NPS structural fire training. On day 10 they fought real fire in a containerized setting. They practiced attacking the fire in different ways with different hose patterns. They learned how to hydraulically vent a room and help reduce the fire. They reflect on what they learned and how it changed them. The Service's structural fire suppression training program was formally accredited through the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
Structural Fire Training
Learning the Basics, Part 1
Follow two park rangers as they attend the NPS national structural fire training. On day 1, they learn how to don their protective gear quickly and correctly. Later they must practice locating a downed firefighter while having no visibility and following a hose line.
aerial view of glen canyon and fire engine trucks
Learning the Basics, Part 2
Follow two park rangers as they attend the NPS national structural fire training. On days 2 and 3 they learned about fire mechanics and hoses--how to roll them, lay them, move them, and operate them. They also faced their first training scenario.
fire training with fire hoses
Evaluating Water and Sediment Contamination and Accumulation in Biota
The National Park Service and US Geological Survey work together in researching the different types of contaminants that may arrive at Lake Powell, and how to address them. Being a remote location, contaminants are not as much of a problem as some other areas. Keeping Glen Canyon Crystal Clear is an NPS Centennial Call to Action.
Boat with scientific equipment. People in lifejackets use the equipment.
Increasing temperature seasonality may overwhelm shifts in soil moisture to favor shrub over grass dominance in Colorado Plateau drylands
Increasing variability of temperature favors a shift to shrublands over grasslands in arid southwestern landscapes. This effect is greater than the effect of increasing soil moisture, which favors a shift to grasslands over shrublands.
Grassland with scattered junipers and hills in the background.
Learning the Basics, Part 4-new
This is the fourth in a series about two structural fire academy candidates, Brandon Penrose and David Robinson, park rangers from Grand Canyon National Park. Their stories have been blended together. As day eight of the structural fire academy comes to a close, more and more of what the instructors are teaching us is coming together out on the proving grounds.
Bat Monitoring at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
At a time when bat populations are at a greater risk of extinction, the National Park Service has a strategic role to play in continent-wide bat conservation. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is participating in the North American Bat Monitoring Program, conducting acoustic surveys and netting bats throughout the park. In addition, park scientists are involving youth in bat monitoring projects and bringing bat science to the public by hosting annual bat festivals.
Pallid bad looking at its photographer
California Condor Reintroduction & Recovery
A tagged California condor flies free. NPS Photo/ Don Sutherland
A wing-tagged California condor flying in the blue sky.
John Doyle Lee
In 1870, following his excommunication from the Church of Latter Day Saints, John D. Lee settled in the canyonlands of northern Arizona. He and his wives established a ferry service along the Colorado River and developed a ranch to make the harsh and arid landscape more habitable. The ferry site played a prominent role in the exploration and settlement of northern Arizona.
Portrait of a man in a dark, brimmed hat and polka-dot tie
2011 SCPN-NAU Student Projects
In spring 2011, the SCPN-NAU School of Communication collaboration began with a multimedia studies course focused on documenting park resources and resource projects. The class was taught by NAU professors Laura Camden and Peter Friederici.
2011 Student Projects
The Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is centered on the four corners area of the Southwest, and includes much of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Hazy Fajada Butte, Chaco Culture National Monument
Noise Model of Lake Powell
Noise models are effective tools for showing how noise distributes across park landscapes. Scientists in the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division created a noise map of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah that shows the distribution and duration of aircraft noise above Lake Powell.
Map shows Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell, and surrounding Navajo Indian lands.
3 Ways to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
July 18, 2018, we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a special piece of legislation that curbed the drastic decline of birds in North America.
A bald eagle gliding over the Chesapeake Bay.
Monitoring Upland Vegetation and Soils on the Southern Colorado Plateau
Vegetation and soils are the foundation upon which all terrestrial ecosystems are built. Soils provide the medium for the storage and delivery of water and nutrients to plants, which in turn provide animal populations with both habitat and food.
Sampling grassland vegetation at a long-term monitoring plot at Wupatki National Monument
Modeling Past and Future Soil Moisture in Southern Colorado Plateau National Parks and Monuments
In this project, USGS and NPS scientists used the range of variation in historical climate data to provide context for assessing the relative impact of projected future climate on soil water availability. This report provides the results of modeled SWP generated for 11 ecosystems in nine Southern Colorado Plateau Network parks.
Extensive grassland at Wupatki National Monument
Monitoring Night Skies and Natural Soundscapes on the Southern Colorado Plateau
Many national parks in the Southern Colorado Plateau region contain large areas of wilderness, where dark night skies and natural soundscapes are important human values. Dark night skies, which depend upon the visibility of stars and other natural components, are diminishing resources in several park units because of anthropogenic activities. Natural soundscapes—that is, the natural sounds of wildlands—are degraded by sounds caused by humans or human technology.
Clouds and sky turning red and orange over Navajo National Monument at sunset
Young Paleontologist Helps to Uncover the Fossil Record at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
If you’re looking for one of the most complete sections of geologic strata of the Mesozoic Era, then you must visit Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. My name is Maria Rodriguez and I am a physical science technician in GLCA. With its 1.2 million acres, Glen Canyon NRA houses a rare and valuable geological history. My work focuses mainly on vertebrate ichnology, or “fossil footprints”.
young woman in foreground with trays of rock slates on shelves in background
SW CA Condor Update - 2017-01 (January)
From January 2017: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2015-11 (November)
From November 2015: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2015-02 (February)
From February 2015: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2014-11 (November)
From November 2014: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2015-07 (July)
From July 2015: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2016-04 (April)
From April 2016: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2014-07 (July)
From July 2014 : An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2019-09 (September)
An update on the Southwest California Condor Meta-Population for September 2019 from Grand Canyon National Park.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2017-04 (April)
An update on the status of the Arizona/ Utah population of the California condor.
A condor flying.
Veteran Story: John Pflaumer
John Pflaumer is the Education and Outreach Coordinator at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Ranger holding child scissors
Volunteer Story: Brent and Dawn Davis
Brent and Dawn Davis have been volunteer photographers for Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge since 2018.
Night photo of round sandstone arch and starry sky
Triassic Tracks in the Moenkopi Formation
In-depth article about Triassic tracks in the Moenkopi Formation found in Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Raised lines indicating three toed animal tracks in tan rock, with permanent marker for scale.
SW CA Condor Update - 2012-10 (October)
From October 2010: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
World CA Condor Update - 2018
An update on the world California Condor population for 2018.
A close-up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
World CA Condor Update - 2016 Population Status
An update on the world California Condor population for 2016.
A close up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
World CA Condor Update - 2017
An update on the world California Condor population for 2017.
A close-up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
SW CA Condor Update - 2014-03 (March)
From March 2014: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2013-10 (October)
From October 2013: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW Ca Condor Update - 2013-04 (April)
From April 2013: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2013-07 (July)
From July 2013: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2018-04 (April)
Update on the AZ/UT population of California condors in April of 2018.
A condor flying wild and free.
World CA Condor Update – 2019
An update on the world California Condor population for 2019.
A close-up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
SW CA Condor Update – 2020-02
An update on the Southwest California Condor Meta-Population for 2019 from Grand Canyon National Park (updated February 2020).
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2012-06 (June)
From June 2016: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2012-04 (April)
From April 2012: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
SW CA Condor Update - 2012-07 (July)
From July 2012: An update from Grand Canyon National Park on the California Condor recovery program for the Arizona/ Utah population.
A condor flying wild and free.
The Adverse Effects of Climate Change on Desert Bighorn Sheep
Climate change has and will continue to have a negative impact on the population of desert bighorn sheep. For the remaining herds to survive, management may always be necessary. Protecting wild lands is key to the survival of these amazing animals.
Desert bighorn sheep, NPS/Shawn Cigrand
Southwest River Environments
In the arid Southwest, water means life, and prehistorically, rivers were the lifelines of the people.
The Colorado River flowing through a canyon
Monitoring Water Quality on the Southern Colorado Plateau
Water quality data are used to characterize waters, detect trends over time, and identify emerging problems. In Southern Colorado Plateau Network parks, water quality is monitored as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem integrity, as a component of watershed condition, and to document water quality conditions in relation to state and federal regulations.
Collecting water quality data
Climate Change on the Southern Colorado Plateau
The combination of high. elevation and a semi-arid climate makes the Colorado Plateau particularly vulnerable to climate change. Climate models predict that over the next 100 years, the Southwest will become warmer and even more arid, with more extreme droughts than the region has experienced in the recent past.
One result of climate change may be more, larger floods, like this flash flood in Glen Canyon NRA
Monitoring Spring Ecosystems on the Southern Colorado Plateau
Springs are important water sources in arid landscapes, supporting unique plant associations and sustaining high levels of biotic diversity. Because springs rely on groundwater, they can serve as important indicators of change in local and regional aquifers. On the Colorado Plateau, spring ecosystems also provide vital habitat for both endemic and regionally rare species, including several types of orchids and declining populations of leopard frogs.
A pool of water filled with vegetation and sheltered by large rocks
National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate.
Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map
Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Briefings: California Condor Management
During the summer of Grand Canyon National Park’s 2019 centennial, scientists and resource managers briefed fellow staff and the public about how they are helping to enable future generations to enjoy what is special about Grand Canyon. This article is from a transcript of a June 5, 2019 briefing about California condor management in Grand Canyon. Its conversational quality reflects the passion and personalities of the people behind the park.
A black bird with its wings out sits perched on a tan rock, with a numbered tag visible on its wing.
Series: Structural Firefighting Academy
Structural firefighters have to learn to make split-second decisions while surrounded by flames, feeling the heat through their protective gear, while carrying heavy loads and wearing breathing apparatus. They must learn to remain calm, quickly assess injuries and impending disaster, and respond constructively to many kinds of scenarios. The training builds self-confidence and helps rangers be more effective and versatile in their home parks.
structural fire training at Grand Canyon National Park
Series: Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Briefings
During the summer of Grand Canyon National Park’s 2019 centennial, scientists and resource managers briefed fellow staff and the public about how they are helping to enable future generations to enjoy what is special about Grand Canyon.
Black winged California Condor with a red head sits with its wings spread out.
Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era
The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
fossils on display at a visitor center
Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Mesozoic Era
The Mesozoic Era (251.9 to 66 million years ago) was the "Age of Reptiles." During the Mesozoic, Pangaea began separating into the modern continents, and the modern Rocky Mountains rose. Dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs ruled the land and air. As climate changed and rapid plate tectonics resulted in shallow ocean basins, sea levels rose world-wide and seas expanded across the center of North America.
fossil dinosaur skull in rock face
Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Paleozoic Era
During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era.
fossil corals in a rock matrix
Series: Defining the Southwest
The Southwest has a special place in the American imagination – one filled with canyon lands, cacti, roadrunners, perpetual desert heat, a glaring sun, and the unfolding of history in places like Tombstone and Santa Fe. In the American mind, the Southwest is a place without boundaries – a land with its own style and its own pace – a land that ultimately defies a single definition.
Maize agriculture is one component of a general cultural definition of the Southwest.
Series: Crystal Clear: A Call to Action
In 2016, the nation celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS) as the steward of special places that represent our natural and cultural heritage. Many national parks were founded on the beauty and value of water. Since the preservation of the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the National Park System has grown to include significant examples within majestic rivers, the Great Lakes, oceans and coasts, and other spectacular water resources.
bright blue lake green islands in between
Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 10, No. 1, Spring 2018
All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology News</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul>
a piece of rock with small reddish shells embedded in it with black and white rule in foreground
Series: SCPN-NAU School of Communication Collaboration
The Southern Colorado Plateau Network (SCPN) of the National Park Service has been partnering with the Northern Arizona University (NAU) School of Communication since 2011 to develop student multimedia projects that highlight resources and activities in network parks. This collaboration gives NAU students hands-on experience in creating multimedia projects and provides network parks with products that can help to promote their unique resources and scientific or educational project work.
SCPN-NAU student projects
Permian Period—298.9 to 251.9 MYA
The massive cliffs of El Capitan in Guadalupe Mountains National Park represent a Permian-age reef along the supercontinent Pangaea. The uppermost rocks of Grand Canyon National Park are also Permian.
flat-top mountain
Cretaceous Period—145.0 to 66.0 MYA
Many now-arid western parks, including Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park, were inundated by the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America. Massive dinosaur and other reptile fossils are found in Cretaceous rocks of Big Bend National Park.
dinosaur footprint in stone
Triassic Period—251.9 to 201.3 MYA
The brightly colored Triassic rocks of Petrified Forest National Park yield not only the petrified trees but many other plant and animal fossils.
fossil footprint on stone
Paleozoic Era
During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era.
fossil corals in a rock matrix
Quaternary Period—2.58 MYA to Today
Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across North America during much of the Quaternary, carving landscapes in many parks. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve contains geologic evidence of lower sea level during glacial periods, facilitating the prehistoric peopling of the Americas. The youngest rocks in the NPS include the lava of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the travertine at Yellowstone National Park, which can be just a few hours old.
fossil bone bed and murals of mammoths
Mesozoic Era
The Mesozoic Era (251.9 to 66 million years ago) was the "Age of Reptiles." During the Mesozoic, Pangaea began separating into the modern continents, and the modern Rocky Mountains rose. Dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs ruled the land and air. As climate changed and rapid plate tectonics resulted in shallow ocean basins, sea levels rose world-wide and seas expanded across the center of North America.
fossil dinosaur skull in rock face
Cenozoic Era
The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
fossils on display in a visitor center
Ranger Edmonia-Making Your Own History
For Black History Month 2021, Ranger Edmonia shares her experience of trying to find her place in the history of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Park Ranger drives a boat with the sun at her back
Kat Smail - Range Technician
Range Technician Kat Smail tells us about her roles as a scientist in the National Park Service for International Women's Day.
Park ranger holding stick
World CA Condor Update – 2020
An update on the world California Condor population for 2020, compiled by our partners at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as of December 31, 2020.
A close-up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
Condition of Glen Canyon's Tributary Rivers and Associated Resources: Natural Resource Assessment 2022
NRCA Overview: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is home to unique flora and fauna that make their home in smaller water sources and tributaries to the Colorado River and Lake Powell. This project assesses conditions of springs and seeps, fishes, tinajas, amphibians, and riparian zones in these areas and identifies drivers and stressors influencing their condition.
Man sitting on red sandstone rock outcrop above Farley Canyon, with blue skies and red rock canyons.
Small Water, Big Impact: Assessing the Health of Springs, Seeps, and Hanging Gardens
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Springs and seeps connect groundwater to the surface that plants and animals rely on throughout the desert. The Natural Resource Condition Assessment program partnered with Utah State University to evaluate the condition of springs and seeps and to identify data gaps. Find out how springs and seeps are doing at Glen Canyon and what threatens them.
Lush green vegetation around a spring
Amphibians in the Desert
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Although Lake Powell is one of the largest reservoirs in the U.S., not far from the lake shore is a very different and dry landscape. Amphibians, with their moist skin, must stay hydrated or they can die from desiccation. How difficult is it for amphibians to survive in the hot, arid environment that includes Glen Canyon NRA? How are amphibians doing at the national recreation area today? Read this article to learn more.
Spotted frog swimming in a pond in Brown's Canyon
Series: NRCA 2022: Condition of Glen Canyon's Tributary Rivers and Associated Resources
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is home to unique flora and fauna that make their home in smaller water sources and tributaries to the Colorado River and Lake Powell. This project assesses conditions of springs and seeps, fishes, tinajas, amphibians, and riparian zones in these areas and identifies drivers and stressors influencing their condition.
Red sandstone with eroded pockets filled with rainwater under a cloudy sky.
Native Fish in Glen Canyon’s Tributary Rivers
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Fish are an important part of aquatic ecosystems. They are an integral part of food webs; some are herbivores and others are carnivores. Nearly 30 species of fish inhabit the waters of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. However, only eight of these species are native. Of the eight native fish species in Glen Canyon, four are listed as Endangered Species, and four are part of a conservation/management effort by local states.
Lake Powell Brent_and_Dawn_Davis
Citizen-based Acoustic Bat Monitoring Along the Colorado and San Juan Rivers
The rise of urgent environmental issues in National Parks has led resource managers to pursue citizen-based research projects to aid in the collection of scientific data. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area partnered with Grand Canyon Youth river guides and other organizations to collect data on the distribution of bat species within the park while simultaneously engaging youth and young adults in resource stewardship, citizen science, and service-learning.
three people posing with equipment in canyon valley
The Dragonfly Mercury Project: Citizen Science in Action at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
This study, jointly managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey, engages citizen scientists in collecting dragonfly larvae in national parks for mercury analysis. The results help inform resource management decisions and show that mercury concentrations vary widely both within and among parks, suggesting that they depend not only on source emissions, but also on landscape processes that occur after deposition.
group of NPS staff and volunteers posing in front of a desert canyon
Series: Intermountain Park Science 2021
Integrating Research and Resource Management in Intermountain National Parks
Group of National Park Service staff and volunteers standing in front of a desert canyon.
Plan Like a Park Ranger: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Plan like a Park Ranger with these top 10 tips for visiting Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge.
Hiker treks along the rocky trail
Water in the Rock: Tinajas in Glen Canyon
If you’re hiking in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and come across a pool of water in the rock, chances are you’ve found a tinaja (pronounced "tihn-AH-hah"). Tinajas are depressions in the sandstone that hold water from rain and snowmelt. Smaller tinajas may dry out, but larger tinajas can retain water year-round. Large or small, tinajas are important, providing a potential water source in the arid desert for both animals and people.
Eroded depressions in the sandstone filled with water.
Riparian Zones—It’s all about the Water
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: More than 3,000 miles of waterways flow through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area—that’s more than the distance between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.! The amount of water in this desert ecosystem depends mainly on annual snowpack and precipitation. Riparian plant communities along these waterways can be cattail/rush/sedge marshes, willows, or deciduous forests. The communities provide habitat and stabilize stream banks from erosion.
People working in dense willows.
Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks
Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios.
Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background
Water Resources on the Colorado Plateau
Describes the origin, uses, threats to, and conservation of water on the Colorado Plateau.
Dark green body of water winding through red rock formations with brilliant sun overhead.
A 20-year Partnership between the Utah Geological Survey and the National Park Service to Inventory and Monitor Fossil Resources in Utah's National Parks
The Utah Geological Survey has worked in partnership with the National Park Service to document the fossils of Utah’s national parks for 20 years, helping to bring to light and protect a wide variety of fossils.
photo of a person pointing at trace fossils in rock above on an over hanging rock
Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 14, No. 1, Spring 2022
All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul>
photo of 2 people kneeling in shallow water at the base of a steep slope
World CA Condor Update – 2021 Population Status
An update on the world California Condor population for 2021.
The pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers by Don Sutherland
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Hosts Successful Structural Firefighter Refresher
The NPS delivered a Structural Firefighter Refresher course hosted at Glen Canyon Recreational Area (NRA) on February 22-24, 2022. Structural firefighters from Glen Canyon NRA, Glacier Bay National Park, Zion National Park, and Big Bend National Park participated in the refresher, which is usually given several times a year, but was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The NPS Structural Fire Program is proud to meet the mission of protecting lives and property.
Structural firefighters spray water on a burning building.
Native Conservation Corps
Learn about a program for Native American youth to engage in conservation work in national parks and extend their experiences into their communities. Native Conservation Corps members become dual ambassadors between the National Park Service and Native American tribes.
50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt
Do you know your parks!? Celebrate 50 years with this fun activity including trivia from Glen Canyon, Gateway and Golden Gate National Recreation Areas.
Parks Look for Ways to Alleviate Glen Canyon Dam’s Downstream Impacts
Vegetation experiments are helping restore Colorado River sites in Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon.
A meandering turquoise river surrounded by vegetation, sand, and high red rock cliffs
Studying the Past and Predicting the Future Using Rat Nests
In the western United States, packrat middens are one of the best tools for reconstructing recent environments and climates. These accumulations of plant fragments, small vertebrate remains, rodent droppings, and other fossils can be preserved for more than 50,000 years. Packrat middens have been found in at least 41 National Park Service units.
Photo of a wood rat.
Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2022
All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul>
Photo of a person sitting while using a laboratory microscope.
National Parks in Southern Utah
Plan your visits to Southern Utah National Parks. Get details about permits, shuttles, and other information so that you know before you go!
Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils
The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian.
photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface
World CA Condor Update – 2022 Population Status
An update on the world California Condor population for 2022.
A close-up of the pink bald head of a California condor with a ruffle of black feathers.
My Park Story: Christine Longenecker
Meet Christine Longenecker, the Community Volunteer Ambassador intern at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
A person posing in front of rock bridge.
My Park Story: Cindy Stafford
Meet Cindy Stafford, Glen Canyon's Museum/Archives technician volunteer.
person holds black and white image of stone building.
Making an Impact: Long-Term Monitoring of Natural Resources at Intermountain Region National Parks, 2021
Across the Intermountain Region, Inventory & Monitoring Division ecologists are helping to track the effects of climate change, provide baseline information for resource management, evaluate new technologies, and inspire the next generation of park stewards. This article highlights accomplishments achieved during fiscal year 2021.
A man looks through binoculars at sunrise.
My Park Story: Taryn Preston
Meet Taryn Preston, the Natural Resource Program Manager at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
Park ranger wearing a hard hat stands near burning brush.
My Park Story: Clinton Talley
Meet Clinton Talley, the Facilities Management Specialist at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Two people pose near lake's edge. Rock buttes rise out of the water.
My Park Story: Emma Hincher
Meet Emma Hincher, a Recreation Fee Technician at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
Person stands near the edge of a rushing river.
My Park Story: Mary Little
Meet Mary Little, a Remit Technician at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
Ranger giving the thumbs up outside
My Park Story: Kari Prassack
Meet Kari Parssack, the Compliance Archaeologist at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
a person takes a selfie in a small plane, they are wearing a headset.
My Park Story: Nick Crowley
Meet Nick Crowley, the Facilities Operations Manager at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
park ranger selfie indoors
My Park Story: Kendall Neisess
Meet Kendall Neisess, the Outdoor Recreation Planner at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Park ranger smiles for the camera
The Plateau Postcard: Spring-Summer 2023
The Plateau Postcard is the official newsletter of the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network. In this issue, we say hello to many new faces within the network and head to the field with some of this year's spectacular monitoring crews.
Pile of postcards with images of various southwest national parks on them.
My Park Story: Donny Plassman
Meet Donny Plassman, a Law Enforcement Officer at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
park ranger wearing a climbing harness and holding rope stands near a canyon edge.
My Park Story: Elise Chan
Meet Elise Chan, a Photogrammetry Intern for Archology at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
A person stands in a brushy sandy desert landscape.
Project Profile: Improve Recreation on San Juan River in Glen Canyon Recreation Area
Along the San Juan River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, park staff and partners are controlling invasive plants that out-compete other plants and form impenetrable stands limiting access to the river.
a person obscured by brush removes an invasive Russian Olive Tree from a riparian area in a canyon
Increase in Non-native Vegetation at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Impacts the Local Ecosystem
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a desert oasis with threatened and endangered bird species hanging gardens, and rare orchid species, some of which can only be found in Glen Canyon. The park’s recreational opportunities and rich cultural and natural resources attract thousands of visitors annually, and with a recent increase in visitation to a remote area of the park, invasive species have also infiltrated the native ecosystems.
Two men in yellow hardhats standing in a dirt field spraying invasive plants.
My Park Story: Ashlee Austin
Meet Ashlee Austin, a Public Lands Intern at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Person stands with their arms up posing on a red rocky surface, a lake in the distance.
My Park Story: Steve Henry
Meet Steve Henry, Glen Canyon's Backcountry Ranger for the Escalante District.
A person wearing a backpack hikes in a steep canyon wash.
My Park Story: Ketona and Hershal
Meet Katona and Hershal, participants in the LeChee Youth Program at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
two teens stand under a large bolder balanced on a rock pedestal.
Lesser Long-nosed Bat Research at Organ Pipe Cactus
Lesser long-nosed bats have been in scientific focus since the late 1900's. These unique animals face different obstacles in their changing environment, but researchers are at work in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, learning more about these bats. Through research here and throughout Central America, scientists are understanding better how to protect these animals and their environment.
A small black lesser long-nosed bat with a black face hovers above a waxy white saguaro flower.
Toad Research in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Research at Organ Pipe Cactus has seen large monsoons, drought, and the Sonoran Desert’s impact on different species of toad. The aim of this research is to understand which species are present, as well as the geographical reach of the chytrid fungus.
A large dark green-gray Sonoran Desert toad sits in a pool of water.
My Park Story: Jeremy Childs
Meet Jeremy Childs, the Downlake District Interpreter at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
A park ranger speaks near a scenic canyon overlook.
My Park Story: Deb Gardecki
Meet Deb Gardecki, a Volunteer Interpretive Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
A person wears a looks out over a river and deep canyon.
My Park Story: Nick Nyquist
Meet Nick Nyquist, a Volunteer Interpretive Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
A uniformed person wears a backpack and points to a rock wall with flora growing below it.
I Didn't Know That!: Biological Soil Crusts
You’ve heard people say to stay on the trail, but what does it matter in the desert? It’s just dirt... right? Wrong—it's alive! Discover what biological soil crusts are and why they're so important in dry environments.
a promo image for "I Didn't Know That! Biological Soil Crusts" with image of a biological soil crust
My Park Story: Kelsey Shores
Meet Kelsey Shores, a Interpretive Park Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area!
A park ranger wearing a lifejacket swims near a national park service boat.
My Park Story : Diana Greymountain
Meet Diana Greymountain, Glen Canyon's Special Use Permit Coordinator!
A person smiles near a scenic canyon overlook
23 in 2023: An Explore Nature Year in Review
As we reflect on 2023, we offer you a list of 23 interesting and exciting science and nature events from parks of the national park system. From a dazzling “ring of fire” annular eclipse to celebrating conservation wins with the help of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, 2023 was filled with amazing moments.
the ring of fire as seen during an annular eclipse
Series: National Fossil Day Logo and Artwork – Prehistoric Life Illustrated
Celebrate the wonderful diversity of fossils!
National Fossil Day Official Logo
Fossils of the 2024 National Fossil Day Artwork
The 2024 National Fossil Day Art features a scene from the Early Jurassic in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Color illustration of a dinosaur walking on a sand dune ridge
Data Publication Brief - Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Upland Vegetation/Soils
The data packages for all our long-term monitoring efforts across the Southern Colorado Plateau are the foundations for almost everything we do here. We recently underwent our biggest effort yet in reformatting our data to fit the new standards put out by the Inventory & Monitoring Division. We are proud to announce that two of our largest datasets have now been published and are available for everyone to utilize.
A split image, one side is a stonefly insect and the other side is a white flower.
Project Profile: Plug Orphaned Wells in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
The National Park Service will locate, locate, inspect and assess thirteen wellsites for compliance and reclamation needs. Ultimately, the NPS seeks to: restore, enhance and conserve habitat by potentially plugging, abandoning and reclaiming thirteen well sites within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
A pump jack frame sits amidst a desert landscape, with blue skies in the background.
Desert Varnish
Ever wondered what those dark lines were on the rock walls of canyon country? These black, brown, and red streaks are called desert varnish.
streaks of black desert varnish on a red rock wall
The Plateau Postcard: Winter 2024
The Plateau Postcard is the official newsletter of the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network. In this issue, we learn about how we are trying to predict pinyon-juniper die-offs, as well as a new tool we developed to help make us all better field scientists, and we hear from Bob Parmenter about his remarkable career at Valles Caldera National Preserve.
A pile of postcards.
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.
Project Profile: Remove Invasive Species to Protect Native and At-risk Species in the Colorado River
The National Park Service will launch a landscape-scale conservation effort that seeks to re-establish control over populations of invasive species in the Colorado River and engage youth and Tribal Conservation Corps in a multi-park approach to ensure climate resilience, restoration, and response. Across parks connected to the Colorado River, the National Park Service will combat rapid changes instilled due to climate change at the following parks...
Silhouetted mountains can be seen in the background, along a star-lit river.
Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways
Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436
close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon
Spotlight on LeChee Youth Intern
The LeChee Chapter House hires teens and offers them a variety of placements in the community, such as Glen Canyon, where the youth can gain real world job skills and new experiences. Ketona Reed has been a member of this youth partnership program between Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the local LeChee Chapter House of the Navajo Nation for three years.
A person stands at the edge of a cliff with a natural arch going across
Project Profile: Assess Climate Change Effects on Colorado River National Parks to Inform River Management Planning
Climate change is rapidly impacting National Park Service (NPS) units on the Colorado River, necessitating proactive planning to safeguard vital resources. The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is initiating a planning process post-2026, which will reevaluate dam operations, directly impacting the rivers and reservoirs in multiple parks. To inform these decisions, NPS will quantify the impacts on priority park resources through Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments (CCVAs).
Photograph of Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Project Profile: Manage Invasive Plants and Re-Seed Degraded Lands to Maintain Healthy Rangelands in Intermountain Region Park Units
The National Park Service will improve rangeland conditions and climate resilience across parks in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. This will include rangeland ecosystem assessments, the monitoring of forage availability and vegetation conditions, the restoration of rangeland infrastructure and grazing allotments, and adding staff capacity in parks.
The moon rises over a dark desert landscape, with shrubs in the foreground.
Dinosaurs of the National Park Service
Dinosaur fossils have been discovered at or are associated with at least 27 NPS units. Geographically, their finds are concentrated in the parks of the Colorado Plateau, but they have been found from central Alaska to Big Bend National Park in Texas to Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Massachusetts. The most famous site is the Dinosaur Quarry of Dinosaur National Monument, but a rush of new finds since the 1970s has greatly expanded our knowledge.
allosaurus fossil
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Vol. 13, No. 1, 2017
The official newspaper
PHOTO: NPS Trash Trackers
Visitor Guide 2017
Glen Canyon Continues The Party Into The Next Century
One hundred and one. That’s how old the National
Park Service will be turning in 2017. It doesn’t quite
measure up to the excitement of turning 100, does it?
In 2016, we rolled out the red carpet to celebrate 100
years since the creation of the National Park Service,
the agency that takes care of places like Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area. Now that it’s 2017, the
party hats have been put away and the guests have all
gone home.
site, where preservation and enjoyment are one and
the same. Perhaps your visit will include taking a
power boat out on Lake Powell or paddling a kayak
down the Colorado River to get a taste for what Glen
Canyon was like before the dam was built, creating
Lake Powell. Maybe you would prefer to explore
Glen Canyon by foot on one of several hiking trails,
taking in the sights and sounds of the desert around
you.
Or have they?
Regardless of how you choose to experience Glen
Canyon, you are sure to come in contact with the
unique resources that make this place so special;
stunning rock formations millions of years in
the making, cliff dwellings left behind by ancient
peoples, the footprints of a coyote hunting for its
supper under some of the darkest skies on earth.
The National Park Service continues to protect these
things and more so that they will be here for the next
100 years, and that is certainly something worth
celebrating year after year!
The reality is, you don’t make it to be 100 years old if
you’re not doing something right. And with over 300
million visitors every year it seems like the public
would agree. The National Parks are truly the pride
of our nation, where citizens and visitors alike can
experience the best that this country has to offer.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is no
exception. Over 3 million visitors per year come here
to recreate within this unique National Park Service
Park Info
Park Map ....................2
Fees ............................2
Weather ......................3
Ranger Programs .........3
Safety .........................4
Volunteer ....................4
Districts
South....................... 6-7
Page, Wahweap, Antelope Canyon
North........................8-9
Bullfrog, Halls Crossing
Escalante....................10
Lees Ferry....................11
Rainbow Bridge ..........12
Highlight
Horseshoe Bend..............5
Welcome to Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area and Rainbow
Bridge National Monument,
home to Lake
Powell and so
much more!
You may
already know
about the
water-based
activities like
boating and
fishing you
can enjoy in your 1.25 million-acre
national park, but that’s only a
small part of our story. We have
seemingly endless trails, routes,
roads and canyons to explore by
foot, bike or vehicle, which will
impart a sense of discovery as you
share in the rich history of this
national treasure. Throughout
the park, you’ll find evidence
of our region’s past as a seabed,
dinosaur habitat, sacred land of
American Indian tribes, and home
to Mormon pioneers. Our cultural,
geological, paleontological and
historical resources are only rivaled
by our beautiful views. Take some
time to speak with our rangers
and plan a Glen Canyon trip you’ll
remember forever!
William Shott
Superintendent
Glen Canyon Overview
Glen Canyon’s 1.25 million acres were set aside for the National Park Service by Congress in 1972. Its vast landscape is filled with rugged canyon lands, sandstone
mesas, rivers, and a 186-mile-long reservoir called Lake Powell. Getting from the one end of the park to the other requires many hours by boat or by car. Most
visitors find it impractical to visit more than one district in a single trip. For some people, it takes a lifetime to even begin to know all of the wonders Glen Canyon
and Rainbow Bridge have to offer.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
During Major John Wesley Powell’s famous 1869 expedition
on the Colorado River, he noted, “So we have a curious
ensemble of wonderful features - carved walls, royal arches,
glens, alcove gulches, mounds, and monuments. From which
of these features shall we select a name?
We decide to call it Glen Canyon.”
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
Superintendent
William Shott
Orange
Cliffs
Park Address
P.O. Box 1507
691 Scenic View Rd
Page AZ 86040
Website Information
nps.gov/glca
nps.gov/rabr
Email: glca_carl_hayden@nps.gov
facebook.com/glencanyonnra
youtube.com/glencanyonnra
GLEN
CANYON
NATIONAL
RECREATION
AREA
Park Headquarters
Open weekdays 7am-4pm
928-608-6200
928-608-6259 fax
The National Park Service cares for the special
places saved by the American people so that all
may experience our heritage.
Hite
CAP
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Foundation Document Overview
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Arizona and Utah
Contact Information
For more information about the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Foundation Document, contact: glca_superintendent@nps.gov or 928-608-6205 or write to:
Superintendent, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument
P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040-1507
Purpose
Significance
Significance statements express why Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument
resources and values are important enough to merit national
park unit designation. Statements of significance describe
why an area is important within a global, national, regional,
and systemwide context. These statements are linked to
the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data,
research, and consensus. Significance statements describe
the distinctive nature of the park and inform management
decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the
most important resources and values of the park unit.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,
located at the center of the Colorado
Plateau, provides for public enjoyment
through diverse land- and waterbased recreational opportunities, and
protects scenic, scientific, natural, and
cultural resources on Lake Powell, the
Colorado River, its tributaries, and
surrounding lands.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
protects an extraordinary natural bridge
that captures public and scientific interest
with its rainbow form and appearance.
• The Colorado River and its many tributaries, including the
Dirty Devil, Paria, Escalante, and San Juan rivers, carve
through the Colorado Plateau to form a landscape of
dynamic and complex desert and water environments.
• The vast, rugged landscapes of Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area provide an unparalleled spectrum of
diverse land- and water-based recreational opportunities
for visitors of wide-ranging interests and abilities.
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area preserves a record
of more than 10,000 years of human presence, adaptation,
and exploration. This place remains significant for many
descendant communities, providing opportunities for
people to connect with cultural values and associations
that are both ancient and contemporary.
• The deep, 15-mile-long, narrow gorge below the dam
provides a glimpse of the high canyon walls, ancient
rock art, and a vestige of the riparian and beach terrace
environments that were seen by John Wesley Powell’s
Colorado River expedition in 1869, providing a stark
contrast to the impounded canyons of Lake Powell.
• Rainbow Bridge is one of the world’s largest natural
bridges and is a premier example of eccentric stream
erosion in a remote area of the Colorado Plateau.
• For many indigenous peoples in the Four Corners region,
Rainbow Bridge is a spiritually occupied landscape
that is inseparable from their cultural identities and
traditional beliefs.
Fundamental Resources and Values
Fundamental resources and values are those features,
systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds,
smells, or other attributes determined to merit primary
consideration during planning and management processes
because they are essential to achieving the purpose of
the park and maintaining its significance. Below are the
fundamental resources and values of Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
• Heritage Resources: Glen Canyon National Recreation
Area is the steward of heritage resources exemplified by the
archeological and historic sites, cultural landscapes, and
traditional cultural properties that illustrate the connection
of people with the landscape of the Glen Canyon region.
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Photo by Gary Ladd
• Lake Powell: Lake Powell, set dramatically against a
backdrop of eroded red rock canyons and mesas, is the
largest man-made lake in North America and is widely
recognized by boating enthusiasts as one of the premier
water-based recreation destinations in the world.
• Landscape: The vast landscape of Glen Canyon contains
rugged water- and wind-carved canyons, buttes, mesas,
rivers, seeps, springs, and hanging gardens where diverse
habitats sustain an array of endemic, rare, and relict plant
and animal communities.
• Paleontology: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
preserves one of the most complete sections of Mesozoic
strata in the world; new discoveries continuously add to
our scientific understanding of the past.
• Water: Water quality and quantity is essential for public
outdoor recreational use and enjoyment and for sustaining
terrestrial and aquatic life in the high desert.
• Rainbow Bridge: The bridge itself is a fundamental
resource.
• Traditional Cultural Property and Values: Rainbow
Bridge and the immediately surrounding landscape are
considered sacred by, and are vitally linked with