Many attractions, such as the
Horseshoe Bend overlook, Glen Canyon Dam, and Carl Hayden Visitor Center can be
viewed, as we did, while driving along Highway 89. Others, such as The Wave at
Coyote Buttes, require permits in advance (often even on a lottery system). A
trip to Lee’s Ferry can be combined with a half-day rafting trip from the Glen
Canyon Dam. Many destinations — such as Antelope Point, Antelope Canyon, and
the trail to Rainbow Bridge are run by Navajo Parks and Recreation and require
permits from the Navajo.
Today,
with weather temperature at 90 degrees, we took a drive on the GLEN
CANYON SCENIC DRIVE, visiting the Glen Canyon Dam, Carl Hayden Visitor Center
(National Park Service), Lake Powell, Wahweap Marina & Campground, and
Scenic Overlook, Big Water town, Toadstool Hoodoos Trailhead, and out to the
northern portion of BLM 1065 Road (which we were on the other day when we
visited the Condor Release Viewing Site). Today we took BLM 1065 Road (aka
House Rock Valley Road) from the northern end where it meets US Hwy 89 and
drove it about 15 miles to Buckskin Gulch; then turned back to Page.
GLEN CANYON DAM
The
186-mile-long Lake Powell was formed by the Glen Canyon Dam and named in honor
of John Wesley Powell, who led an expedition in wooden boats down the Colorado
River through the Grand Canyon in 1869. Rising 710 feet above the
Colorado River, Glen Canyon dam serves two purposes: electric power generation
and water storage for the arid southwestern United States. Construction of the
dam began in 1956 and it began to block the river’s flow in 1963.
CARL HAYDEN VISITOR CENTER
Learn
more about the history and impact of Glen Canyon Dam at the Carl Hayden Visitor
Center, offering exhibits, photographs, and videos about the project. The
Visitor Center is located on the North side of the Bridge that crosses over the
Glen Canyon Dam. At the Visitor Center, you can sign up for a 45-minute tour
through the dam. Before the schedule tour, each person or party must register
at the reservation desk located inside the Center.
GLEN CANYON RECREATIONAL AREA
The
Glen Canyon Recreational Area offers five marinas, permanent mooring for over
two thousand private vessels, lodging, restaurants, campgrounds and RV
facilities. Services include houseboat and powerboat rentals dockside and dry
boat storage, fishing and water sports gear, groceries and general
merchandise. One of the best views of Lake Powell can be seen by
off-roading to Alstrom Point. This overlook is hundreds of feet above Lake
Powell and is one of the most photographed sites.
BIG WATER, AZ
is a small town of 475 residents on Hwy 89. What struck us as funny is that the
majority of its business seems to be a boat storage yard and boat
repairs, yet it has absolutely NO WATER, though it is just outside of Lake
Powell. It made news in the 1980s as a polygamous
colony of the Joseph clan.
It also made news in 1986, when the mayor Alex
Joseph and the city council left the Republican
Party to join the Libertarian
Party. This made Joseph the first Libertarian mayor in the
history of the U.S.
WAHEAP
MARINA & CAMPGROUND: Centrally located at Wahweap Marina about ¼ mile from the shore of Lake
Powell. Wahweap offers plenty of fun with a wide variety of boats (houseboats,
skiing boats, fishing boats, and kayaks, etc) toys from which to choose,
whether you rent or bring your own,. You can also enjoy the restaurant Wahweap
Grille and gift shop at the Lake Powell Resort. The RV Park/Campground is also
a great place to enjoy the winter solitude of Lake Powell and has full hookups
(for $68/night), partial hookups and tent sites. If you rent a houseboat for
Lake Powell, you can leave your RV in the parking lot across the street for up
to 14 days.
Lake Powell Resort & Marina
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