Access increasing at Lake Powell as water levels rise with spring runoff

PAGE, Ariz. — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has announced that spring runoff continues to increase Lake Powell’s elevation, resulting in increased access in north Lake Powell.

The Halls Crossing Boat Ramp is open to vessels of all sizes. A courtesy dock is available at the ramp. To reduce congestion, boaters are asked to limit use of the courtesy dock to 10 minutes or less.

A wakeless zone is marked with buoys and signs alerting boaters to the requirement to travel at wakeless speed.

The Halls Crossing Marina is located in San Juan County, Utah and is accessed via Utah Highway 276.

Visitor services include a boat ramp comfort station and campground with family units. The Marina Office is open. The boat pumpout, boat fuel dock, Village Store and snack bar are closed but land-based pay-at-the pump gas is open 24 hours.

The closest alternative boat fuel dock and pumpout are located at the Bullfrog Marina. The Halls Crossing Marina is located on Lake Powell, about 95 miles upstream from Glen Canyon Dam, directly across the lake from the Bullfrog Marina.

As previously announced, midlake fuel is unavailable. Due to low lake levels the Dangling Rope Marina closed in 2022 and dilapidated structures have been removed.

“We continue to seek funds to explore new options for mid-lake essential services (including fuel) to replace the services previously offered at Dangling Rope Marina,” the park said.

Dangling Rope Marina had been the only place to obtain boat fuel between the Wahweap area in south Lake Powell and the Bullfrog/Halls Crossing area in north Lake Powell, a distance of approximately 100 miles.

Boaters should plan ahead for their needs. For boaters averaging 20 to 25 mph, the trip to Bullfrog from Wahweap takes at least four to five hours. Boat fuel is available at Wahweap, Antelope Point, and Bullfrog Marinas.

An overview is available of potential NPS operations on Lake Powell this season can be found at nps.gov/glca/learn/news.

Due to the many dynamic factors affecting Lake Powell’s water elevations, the park said it is not possible to know when a specific water level will be reached. The park is monitoring changing water levels and when conditions allow will adjust visitor services.

The park’s changing lake levels can be found at nps.gov/glca/learn/changing-lake-levels.htm.

The park urges caution when anchoring a vessel or parking avehicle, since spring runoff lake levels can rise up to two feet per day and result in rapid changes to the shoreline.

“Property left near the shoreline can quickly become submerged in mud and/or water,” the park said. “Depending on the grade of land, a foot of water rising vertically will cover approximately 30 to 50 feet of land horizontally. Visitors should park 300 to 400 feet away from water's edge, as a week-long visitor’s vehicle could be inundated.”