This Stunning “Mini Grand Canyon” Spans Two States with More Shoreline Than the Entire West Coast

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area covers 1.25 million acres of red rock badassery across Utah and Arizona. It looks like a pocket-sized version of the Grand Canyon, with a massive blue oasis called Lake Powell smack in the middle. Here are some of our favorite parts of spending time at Glen Canyon.

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge towers 290 feet high – taller than the Statue of Liberty. Unlike other natural bridges that require long hikes, you can reach this one by taking a two-hour boat ride through red rock canyons. Several Native American tribes consider this bridge sacred and have held ceremonies here for hundreds of years.

West Canyon

West Canyon is special because it’s the only slot canyon in the Southwest where you can paddle a kayak. Clear springs bubble up from the bottom, creating pools that reflect the 400-foot walls above.

The best time to see light shows in the canyon is between 10 AM and 2 PM in summer. The narrow walls create interesting echoes that make water drops sound like music.

Defiance House

Defiance House shows how Native Americans lived in the 1200s, with original wooden roof beams and storage rooms preserved by the dry air. The walls have unique paintings of warriors carrying D-shaped shields not found at other sites.

You need to take a 45-minute boat ride to reach this remote site, which has kept it safe from damage. Scientists recently found preserved corn pollen in storage jars here, helping them understand how ancient peoples farmed.

The Cathedral

As Lake Powell’s water levels drop, they’re revealing a natural amphitheater called the Cathedral. Its 200-foot walls create echoes that last for 12 seconds, making it perfect for recording music. A Native American flute player named R. Carlos Nakai recorded an award-nominated album here in 2019.

Hole-in-the-Rock

In 1879, Mormon pioneers spent six weeks carving a path through this natural crack to lower their wagons 1,200 feet to the Colorado River. Today, you can boat to this spot and climb the same route, seeing marks their tools left in the rock.

Forgotten Canyon

Forgotten Canyon has over 300 ancient carvings and paintings from three different Native American cultures. The canyon’s sheltered location has kept these artworks in great condition. New photography techniques have found hidden layers of art, showing that people used this canyon for ceremonies for over 1,000 years.

The Rincon

The Rincon is a circular cove with 400-foot sandstone walls and clear, warm water. Desert bighorn sheep often come here to drink at sunrise and sunset. The surrounding cliffs make gentle waves sound louder, creating peaceful echoes.

Face Canyon

Face Canyon’s walls are angled perfectly to capture stunning light during sunset. The light reflects off Lake Powell’s water, making the show twice as impressive. The canyon has appeared on three National Geographic covers because of its unique lighting.

Crystal Spring

Crystal Spring produces 150 gallons of clean water per minute, filtered through layers of ancient sandstone. This water creates a small oasis where rare desert plants grow, including the Heavenly Cryptantha flower that doesn’t grow anywhere else. The spring brings together three different types of desert environments in one place.

The Escalante River Area

The Escalante River section offers 40 miles of kayaking through narrow canyons and open bays. Golden eagles nest in the 500-foot cliffs above, and you can often see their shadows on the water.

Protected coves here shelter endangered fish, while bighorn sheep come down to drink at dawn. The calm water makes this area good for both beginning and experienced kayakers.

Last Chance Bay

Last Chance Bay has some of the darkest night skies in the Southwest because nearby cliffs block city lights. The bay’s position and Lake Powell’s mirror-like surface make stargazing especially good here. You can see the center of the Milky Way clearly from April through October. Since you can only reach this spot by boat, it stays quiet for nighttime star viewing.