THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
NPS is making enhancements and planning additional improvements at Stateline, Bullfrog, and Antelope Point within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. These efforts are designed to preserve and maximize boating access wherever water levels continue to fluctuate.
Official NPS source
As part of ongoing response efforts to the Babylon Fire, fire suppression aircraft will be scooping water from Lake Powell between Good Hope Bay and Castle Butte to refill tanks as part of ongoing firefighting operations.
Official NPS source
Use caution on Lake Powell this season as low water levels create rapidly changing conditions. Boaters are encouraged to plan ahead and stay informed before and during their visit.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is opening additional facilities for the spring and summer season as warmer weather and longer days return. While the park is open year-round, several services that were closed during winter are now available to visitors.
Official NPS sourceGlen Canyon National Recreation Area is taking proactive steps to maintain uplake boating access at Lake Powell during the 2026 summer season. With lower water levels expected throughout the summer, the park and its partners are adjusting facilities to ensure visitors can continue accessing services in the Bullfrog and Halls Crossing areas. The land-based services at Bullfrog remain open.
Official NPS sourceGlen Canyon National Recreation Area is preparing for projected low water levels at Lake Powell in 2026. In collaboration with concessioners and state partners, park staff are committed to sustaining visitor access and high-quality services throughout the upcoming season. While lower lake levels are expected, the park and its partners are actively implementing strategies to maintain access, and lake access is not anticipated to be lost this summer.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 4.72 million visitors to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument in 2024 spent $518.2 million in communities near the park units. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $635.4 million.
Official NPS source
Low water levels are prompting two important changes for visitors: Wahweap Main Launch Ramp will be inoperable starting Monday, August 18. Rainbow Bridge dock will be moved to deeper water on Monday, August 25.
Official NPS source
Effective immediately, use of the Wahweap Main Launch Ramp is limited to the south (left) side, which is restricted to vessels 30 feet in length or smaller. The north (right) side of the ramp has been closed due to recent damage that has compromised the stability of the ramp surface.
Official NPS sourceThe use of fire by visitors within these National Park Service (NPS) boundaries is regulated to protect resources and visitors. The intent of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions is to reduce the number of human-caused fires during periods of very high fire danger, by decreasing potential sources of ignition.
Official NPS source
Seasonal water level changes at Lake Powell are becoming more pronounced. Lake level changes will influence the functionality of all launch ramps.
Official NPS source
To assist with nearby wildfires, fire suppression aircraft will be drawing water from Lake Powell between buoys 43 and 49 to refill tanks as part of ongoing firefighting operations.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service has detected the presence of cyanotoxins in the mouth of Antelope Canyon in Lake Powell in concentrations that are at the high end of safe exposure levels. Cyanotoxins are produced by certain types of algae blooms and can be harmful to humans and animals.
Official NPS source
From July 4 to 6, 2025, the national Operation Dry Water awareness and enforcement initiative will take place on Lake Powell. During this time, law enforcement agencies will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, including the importance of sober boating, with the goal of enhancing boating safety nationwide.
Official NPS source
Due to fire operations nearby, boaters are advised as they are traversing from Dangling Rope to Rainbow Bridge, to remain toward the east wall of the canyon and to avoid Oak Bay.
Official NPS sourceOn Sunday, June 8 at approximately 3 pm MST, a 50-year-old male, resident of Kayenta, Arizona, was overtaken by river currents downstream of Paiute Farms Wash in the San Juan River in San Juan County, Utah. he was found deceased and presumed drowned.
Official NPS source
The Bureau of Reclamation and the National Park Service have completed modifications to the -12 mile slough in the Colorado River near Glen Canyon Dam removing a key spawning site for invasive smallmouth bass—a growing threat to native fish.
Official NPS sourceGlen Canyon National Recreation Area has released body worn camera footage from a May 3, 2025, officer involved shooting. A word of caution: this video of an officer involved shooting contains graphic content and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Official NPS sourceOn May 3, at approximately 8:00 pm, an officer-involved shooting occurred on Highway 89 near the junction to the Lone Rock Beach Campground road in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There are no active threats to the public.
Official NPS sourceWe are planning to burn slash piles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area between March 28 to April 30th, depending on weather.
Official NPS sourceOn April 9 through April 24, 2025, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will be conducting repairs at the airstrip located in Bullfrog, Utah. Cal Black Airport at Halls Crossing will remain open during this period. The Bullfrog airstrip will re-open on April 25 for all traffic.
Official NPS source
Construction is planned to start on March 1 and be completed by June with equipment staging in preparation for construction to begin as early as February 26. Access to the river may be temporarily restricted during the equipment staging period only.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service has issued a new rule for Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The rule prohibits the use of ORVs and street-legal all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on approximately 24 miles of park roads.
Official NPS source
Lees Ferry campground fees increase to $26 per night starting January 1, 2025.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon 2025 vessel tiered pass is available to purchase on pay dot gov
Official NPS source
A major sediment slump in Narrow Canyon has altered water flow and created a new small rapid. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) should be worn between Dark Canyon and the North Wash Access point because of the rapidly changing conditions.
Official NPS source
Algal blooms have been reported scattered around Glen Canyon National Recreation Area this fall.
Official NPS source
For many years Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon) managers have worked to eliminate the practice of pin anchoring houseboats at Lake Powell. Park rangers at Lake Powell patrol the recreation area by land, water and air to assess visitation, safety and compliance with regulations.
Official NPS sourcePublic review and comment on an Environmental Assessment to analyze a proposal to pursue options to prevent reproduction of smallmouth bass and other warm water non-native fish in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Public comments will be accepted through Oct. 14, 2024.
Official NPS source
NPS Fossil Festival being held on October 9, 2024, at Carl Hayden Visitor Center next to Glen canyon Dam 10am-2pm. Guided Hikes 4-5pm. Paleo lecture 6:30 at the Powell Museum.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is accepting public comments through Nov. 15 on proposed changes to the park’s 2021 off road vehicle (ORV) special regulations.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 5.2 million visitors to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in 2023 spent $540 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,300 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $670 million.
Official NPS source
Save the date for Glen Canyon's 2024 Love Your Lake Park Cleanup and Volunteer Appreciation Lunch on Saturday, September 28.
Official NPS source
Due to an active monsoon pattern the fire danger has moderated and fire restrictions for all lands within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument have been rescinded. This is effective midnight tonight and until further notice.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is requesting public review and comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze authorizing bicycle use on the Stud Horse Trail network, located adjacent to Highway 89 in Utah and Arizona. Public comments will be accepted August 26 through September 26, 2024.
Official NPS source
At approximately 3 a.m. on August 25, 2024, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Rangers were notified by San Juan County Utah Dispatch of a missing person who had fallen overboard from a houseboat on Lake Powell, in Wetherill Canyon. The person had fallen over 20 feet from an upper level of a privately owned houseboat. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team recovered the victim's body on August 25, 2024, at 12:36 p.m. Utah time.
Official NPS source
A few minutes before 4:00 pm on Monday August 12, lightning struck two visitors while they were standing near the rim of Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Both victims were flown to St. George Regional Hospital in Utah by Classic Air Medical helicopters.
Official NPS source
National Park Service Rangers have confirmed the collapse of a frequently visited arch in Rock Creek Bay on August 8, 2024. The “Double Arch” geologic feature has also been referred to as the “Toilet Bowl”, “Crescent Pool”, and “Hole in the Roof”.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is seeking public comments from Aug. 8 through Sept. 9, 2024, regarding a proposed fee increase for the Lees Ferry Campground. The proposed increase would raise the current fee of $20 per site/per night to $26 per site/per night starting in January 2025.
Official NPS sourceOn July 26, 2024, at approximately 3:18 p.m., the National Park Service Glen Canyon Regional Communications Center was alerted of an overturned vessel on Lake Powell near buoy 12 and the mouth of Navajo Canyon. The 25-foot privately owned pontoon vessel was being towed by another boater, when waves contributed to the towed vessel capsizing.
Official NPS source
Celebrate the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will join national parks nationwide by providing free park entrance on that day. The fee waiver includes entrance fees only. Other fees such as camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included in the fee waiver.
Official NPS sourceRangers responded to a carbon monoxide poisoning incident on a privately owned vessel in Face Canyon. A total of 5 patients (3 adults and 2 juveniles) were flown to the St. George Regional Hospital for further treatment. The remaining sixteen patients were treated and released on scene.
Official NPS source
NPS is initiating a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze Glen Canyon National Recreation Area’s proposed Colorado River slough channelization project at River Mile -12. Pre-NEPA Open House on July 23 in Page, Ariz. and July 25 in Marble Canyon, Ariz.
Official NPS sourceBeginning July 15, 2024, Stateline Main Ramp will be temporarily closed to accommodate vessel salvage operations.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) appreciates the public's participation in the first round of civic engagement for Canyonlands National Park’s comprehensive river management planning (CRMP) process, which occurred in spring 2024. A public comment summary report is now available online.
Official NPS source
The Charles Hall Ferry returns to service July 4th providing passage over Lake Powell between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. Initially the ferry will operate Thursdays through Sundays and fee payment will be cash only.
Official NPS sourceAs of June 24, 2024, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is implementing Fire Restrictions that will remain in effect until further notice. Due to hot, dry conditions and increasing fire danger
Official NPS source
From July 4 to 6, 2024, the national Operation Dry Water awareness and enforcement initiative will take place on Lake Powell.
Official NPS source
Bullfrog Main Ramp in North Lake Powell is now open! This reduces congestion at the Bullfrog North Ramp; both ramps are now available for vessels of all sizes. Please prepare all boats before accessing a ramp.
Official NPS source
The spring runoff is positively affecting Lake Powell water levels for the 2024 summer boating season. Rapidly rising water levels in Lake Powell also require increased attention to important safety measures.
Official NPS source
National Park Week, April 20 through 28, 2024. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area joins National Parks nationwide by providing free park entrance on Saturday, April 20.
Official NPS source
Springtime 2024 at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Some visitor services closed for the winter have already been reopened, and the remainder will reopen mid-April.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is seeking information regarding large debris existing on Lake Powell to inform future salvage and cleanup efforts. The park is seeking specific locations on the lake where vessels have sunk or were exposed during low water and where other large deposits of debris may be located.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is pleased to announce Rich Sweeting has been selected as our new Chief of Facilities Management.
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area had 5.2 million visitors in 2023.
Official NPS source
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, in partnership with Glen Canyon Conservancy, is pleased to announce we are extending the Brown Trout Incentivized Harvest program. The program is expected to continue at least through this calendar year. The Brown Trout Incentivized Harvest program was begun so anglers could help manage and reduce the number of invasive brown trout in this stretch of the Colorado River.
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area’s Compendium has been updated.
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Investigators have completed their review of the Bullfrog Marina fire that occurred on October 26, 2023. The source of the fire was undetermined and accidental in nature.
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New Tiered Boat Pass fees begin Monday, March 4, 2024. The passes will better align a fee structure that will reflect costs associated with the needs of vessels utilizing Lake Powell.
Official NPS source
Beginning January 15, there will be a temporary closure of the National Park Service’s developed area in Hite, Utah.
Official NPS source