A Lake Powell Camping Guide

Lake Powell is found in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, one of the nation’s most

popular camping, boating, and outdoor attractions, anchored by the 186 mile-long manmade

lake. Its nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline add up to more linear space than the entire West Coast

of the U.S. It sprawls from northern Arizona into southern Utah, offering opportunities for

outdoor activities nearly year-round, attracting visitors from around the world.1

What to See

A relaxed two-hour drive from the magnificent Grand Canyon, Lake Powell offers its own

monumental natural attractions, like Tower Butte and the Grand Staircase. The award-winner is a

close-up view by boat of the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest natural

stone bridges in the world.1

What to Do

The Lake Powell experience is as much about doing, as seeing, the awe-inspiring natural beauty.

Enjoy boating with your own vessel, or rent a houseboat or other boat to make the most of the

crystal blue water. The daily challenge is deciding exactly what to do each day. Will it be water

skiing, wakeboarding, boat tours of the lake, dinner cruises, or fishing? On land, you can explore

nearby canyons by hiking, or on horseback, or with a guided scenic tour.

Many visitors choose a thrilling aerial tour as a special day’s outing, with a historically renowned

provider like Papillon, to get the most complete view of otherwise inaccessible, remote areas.

The tours may include Lake Powell, the Navajo Monument Valley, Rainbow Bridge, and the

Glen Canyon Dam,5 with many options for fixed wing, helicopter, and land tours to various

locations.

Camping Access and Rules

Make your camping experience at Lake Powell the safest, most enjoyable vacation it can be by

learning a bit about the area and comparing the best locations for your needs and abilities. There

are several managed campgrounds and options for independent or “primitive” camping on your

own. Learn about the requirements for safe boating and fishing, and how to be a good camping

neighbor.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Open year-round, the Park offers multiple visitor centers and marinas, but with reduced

services in winter.

Managed Campgrounds

There are several developed campgrounds operated by the National Park Service, as well

as by private concessions, each containing multiple camp sites. The campgrounds offer

differing combinations of services, including: RV dump stations, grills, comfort stations,

potable water, showers, or full hook-ups. These services are not all found at each

campground, so be sure you know what will be available once you arrive.

Primitive Camping

This is the term used when you pick your own campsite in an undeveloped area. There is

no need for a fee or permit, but you will have to pay entrance fees and vessel use fees for

boating.2

Follow the rules for Primitive Camping outlined by the Park Service before selecting

your camp site:

-every camper must have a portable toilet (unless there is one on your vessel);

-pets are okay on beaches if you clean up after them;

-do not bury any waste—follow instructions for how to contain and dispose of it;

-carry out all litter and garbage for disposal at launch ramps.

For your safety, remember:

-do not camp near a channel or dry wash, where flash floods can occur in sudden storms;

-camp where there is protection against strong afternoon winds;

-no camping under a rock ledge—they have a tendency to crumble and fall down.3,4

Be a good camping neighbor by:

-keeping music and voices low—sound travels quite a distance in the open;

-turn off generators by 10 p.m. for the same reason.3

Keep food fresh and safe by:

-using dry ice to maintain frozen food (should last up to 5 days) and keep all coolers

shaded;

-create blocks of ice by freezing jugs of water in advance and storing them in coolers;

-bring pre-cooked and frozen meals in vacuum packed containers to store in coolers.3

Respect the National Park

This amazing natural resource is meant to be protected and preserved for future generations. Get

to know the few rules and regulations, as well as basic etiquette, so that you, your family, and

friends can make the most of your camping adventure and return often.