Reflection canyon

Reflection Canyon is a narrow waterway and gorge within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where red sandstone cliffs rise steeply from the waters of Lake Powell. The creek winds through tight passages between towering rock walls that can reach several hundred feet high.

The canyon remained largely unknown until the early 2000s, when photography brought it to public attention. This exposure sparked growing interest among hikers seeking remote locations in the Glen Canyon area.

Indigenous peoples traveled through these canyons for centuries, and their presence still shapes how visitors move through and understand the land. The waterways and rock formations tell stories of those who came before.

Access requires a difficult hike of about 20 miles round trip over unmarked ground, so navigation skills and plenty of water are essential. This is a remote adventure that demands physical fitness and thorough preparation.

The still water creates perfect mirror reflections of the canyon walls during morning and evening hours when sunlight hits the red rock at the right angle. This effect is most striking when the water is calm and the light reaches deep into the narrow gorge.