Sightseeing

Glen Canyon Dam

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★★★★★

Introduction

Glen Canyon Dam, located on the Colorado River near Page, Arizona, is a 710-foot-tall concrete arch-gravity dam built between 1956 and 1966, the second-largest dam in the United States after Hoover Dam. The dam impounds the Colorado River to form the famous Lake Powell, an artificial lake winding through the red rock canyons of Utah and Arizona with a shoreline exceeding 2,000 miles, longer than the U.S. West Coast. The dam crest features a free visitor center with panoramic views of the dam and Colorado River, where visitors can learn about the dam's construction history and hydraulic engineering principles. A tour route descending from the dam top to the riverbank allows close appreciation of this engineering marvel. Lake Powell is a popular destination for boating, fishing, kayaking, and lakeside camping, and serves as the water gateway to hidden gems like Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

✨ Highlights

Second-Largest U.S. Dam

Lake Powell

Free Visitor Center

Downstream Tour

Gateway to Rainbow Bridge

🛈 Practical Info

→Hours：Visitor center daily 8:00-18:00 (winter until 17:00), closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year

→Admission：Free entry; dam tour adults $5, under 11 free

→Transportation：About 10-min drive from Page, 2.5 h from Grand Canyon South Rim

→Best Time to Visit：Spring and fall are mild; summer offers the most Lake Powell water activities

→Duration：1-2 hours recommended

💡 Tips

• Visitors 9+ need valid photo ID for the dam downstream tour; carry passport or driver's license.

• Horseshoe Bend is nearby; combine both for a sensible half-day itinerary.

• Page area is hot and dry in summer; use sun protection and carry plenty of water outdoors.

• With more time, book Lake Powell boat or kayak tours to explore red rock canyons by water.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Glen Canyon Dam?

Visitors 9+ need valid photo ID for the dam downstream tour; carry passport or driver's license. Horseshoe Bend is nearby; combine both for a sensible half-day itinerary.