Best Western at Lake Powell
208 N. Lake Powell Blvd
Page, AZ 86040
Toll-Free: (888) 794-2888
Local: (928) 645-5988
208 N. Lake Powell Blvd
Page, AZ 86040
Toll-Free: (888) 794-2888
Local: (928) 645-5988
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, established by Congress in 1972, is the home of Arizona’s Lake Powell. The area is comprised of 1.25 million acres with the lake occupying only 13% (or 161,390 acres) of the total area.
Lake Powell is 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the continental United States. There are 96 major canyons to explore, though you'll need a watercraft for the majority of them since access is limited because there are few roads.
Boats and personal watercraft can be rented from businesses in Page and at each of four marinas, with tour boat cruises from one hour up to seven hours offered year-round at Wahweap and Bull Frog marinas. Dangling Rope Marina is only accessible by boat and is ¾ of the distance from Wahweap Marina to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Once you travel by boat a few miles from any of the marinas, you'll find yourself in another world with a skyline unmarred by signs of civilization.
Other lake activities include swimming, fishing, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and waterskiing, hiking and sightseeing. Photographic opportunities abound. You can even take a scenic flight by plane or helicopter over the lake, which provides a bird's-eye view of how far some of those 96 canyons extend from the main channel.
Around early June, the lake's waters begin to warm and stay that way well into October, with clarity unrivaled by other fresh water lakes. While the climate is arid and humidity is generally less than 40 percent, Lake Powell is classified as a "high desert" area due to its 3,700-foot elevation. Water temperatures cool significantly in the winter then rise into the high 70s in the summer. When it does snow at Lake Powell, the contrast of the white against red-rock cliffs and azure blue waters makes for beautiful photographs and memories.
Detailed Map of the Park Click Here [PDF]
Rainbow Bridge has deep religious and spiritual significance to area Native American tribes. The Navajo people called it "Nonnezoshi", or the "rainbow turned to stone." Special prayers are offered before passing beneath the bridge and failure to do so is believed to bring misfortune. In 1995, the National Park Service began requesting that visitors refrain from passing under the monument in an effort to respect the longstanding beliefs of the Native American people.
By far the most popular destination on Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge stands approximately 290 feet high creating an awe-inspiring sight. It is made of Navajo Sandstone at the top and Kayenta Sandstone at the base and was formed when the drainage in the stream bed broke through to the other side of a meander creating an ever widening hole in the ancient cliff face. In 1910, the geological significance of the monument caught the attention of the public and the site was named a national monument by President William Taft. The largest natural bridge on earth, Rainbow Bridge is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Boat and air tours are offered daily throughout most of the summer season. Visitors in private and rental boats may also use the courtesy dock at the monument, and then walk less than a mile along improved trail to the viewing area. A portion of the trail to the first viewing area is accessible to most wheel chairs.
Organized tours welcome special needs passengers, however, advance notice is requested. National Park Service Rangers are on hand to answer questions, educate the public and protect the site. Visitors are requested to stay on the trail and refrain from walking over the land around the monument. Swimming, fishing, rock throwing, or taking pets on the trail at Rainbow Bridge are prohibited.
All area information provided above was obtained from Lake Powell USA Visitors Guide, Lake Powell National, National Parks Service, BLM, and Powellguide.com.
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