Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation.
Photo: NPS Photo / T Sigmon / NPS
About Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
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.
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Driving times from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.00Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual when entering on foot or bicycle. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00Fees are assessed based on the passenger capacity of the vehicle. Pass is only valid for the same group to which it was issued.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00Fees are assessed based on the passenger capacity of the vehicle. Pass is only valid for the same group to which it was issued.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00Fees are assessed based on the passenger capacity of the vehicle. Pass is only valid for the same group to which it was issued.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
FreeAcademic fee waivers must be submitted and returned before you visit Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Hours
Glen Canyon Open Hours
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
The weather in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is usually typical for the high deserts. Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Winters are moderately cold with night time lows often below freezing. Spring weather is highly variable and unpredictable with extended periods of winds. Fall weather is usually nice and mild, a great time to beat the heat (and the crowds!).
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
- Entrance to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area starts at $15. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
- Popular activities include ATV Off-Roading, Astronomy, Auto Off-Roading, Auto and ATV, Biking, Boat Tour.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Old Spanish National Historic Trail (59 min), Pipe Spring National Monument (1 h 44 min), Navajo National Monument (2 h 6 min), Wupatki National Monument (2 h 13 min), Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (2 h 26 min), Grand Canyon National Park (2 h 36 min).