"So we have a curious ensemble of wonderful features - carved walls, royal arches, glens, alcove gulches, mounds, and monuments. From which of these features shall we select a name? We decide to call it Glen Canyon." - John Wesley Powell, 1869 Colorado River Exploration.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area was established on October 27, 1972 in order to provide opportunities to explore and enjoy Lake Powell and surrounding lands stretching from Northern Arizona through Southern Utah. Tucked among the red rocks canyon and mesas on the Colorado Plateau, Glen Canyon’s unique desert region is characterized by expansive areas of exposed and uplifted rocks. Their beauty carved out by the Colorado River, its several tributaries, powerful wind, and time. The park preserves a record of more than 10,000 years of human presence, adaptation, and exploration. A story that highlights the connections of people with the landscape. A story that continues today.
