Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, National Recreation Area in Arizona and Utah, United States
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a large protected area spanning Arizona and Utah, featuring red rock formations, the Colorado River, and Lake Powell. The area offers many opportunities for water activities and exploring desert landscapes.
The area was established as a National Recreation Area in 1972, following the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1966, which created Lake Powell. This dam transformed the landscape and continues to shape the region today.
The recreation area takes its name from Glen Canyon, now mostly submerged beneath Lake Powell after Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1966. Volunteers in the Graffiti Removal and Intervention Team join five-day houseboat trips to clean vandalism from the canyon walls, a hands-on way to care for the rock faces.
The Carl Hayden Visitor Center near the dam provides information about activities, required permits, and current water levels. Stopping there first helps visitors plan their time and understand what they can do in the area.
The Double Arch, a rock formation that stood over Lake Powell, collapsed on August 8, 2024. Volunteers in the Graffiti Removal and Intervention Team sign up for five-day houseboat trips to clean defaced canyon walls. The recreation area covers 1,254,429 acres.
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