Seeing Glen Canyon Dam
Glen Canyon Dam stands at the south end of Lake Powell, next to Page. US 89 crosses the canyon at the dam, and the Carl Hayden Visitor Center sits right beside it. The dam separates the lake above from the Colorado River below, which is why Lake Powell boat tours and the river trips at Lees Ferry are two different outings.
One thing to know first: the guided inside tours of the dam are suspended until further notice, and no restart date is set. Visiting the visitor center is not the same as seeing inside the dam. What you can do is look at it from the center, from the overlook and from the water.
Carl Hayden Visitor Center
The easiest stop at the dam.
Where it is
The center is on US 89 at the dam, next to Page, so it is an easy stop on the way in or out of town.
Hours
Open daily. Summer hours are 9:00 to 17:00 from March to the end of October. Winter hours are 9:00 to 16:00 from November to the end of February. Times are Arizona time, which stays on MST all year. Holiday changes are not part of this normal schedule, so check ahead if you visit on a holiday.
What it is not
It is a visitor center, not a dam tour. Because inside tours are suspended, you will not go down into the dam from here.
The second center in town
A second center at 12 N Lake Powell Blvd in Page is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 17:00 MST, and closed on Sunday. The Powell Museum building in town has closed and is planned to be sold.
Our pick: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam
This trip includes the dam with the canyon and the bend, from your hotel in Page.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Powell, canyon and Horseshoe Bend tours from Page
Boat trips, canyon tours and Horseshoe Bend combinations around Page, with live prices and availability.
Dam overlook and the US 89 bridge
The Dam Overlook trailhead is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the visitor center, at the turn-off to Scenic View Drive. The path is short, about 940 ft (286 m), over rocky uneven steps with a handrail. Wear shoes with grip and keep children close to you. Conditions can change, so look at the trailhead before you set off.
The US 89 bridge carries the highway across the canyon at the dam. Treat it as a road, not a viewpoint. Park only at signed stops and do not stop on the highway. Follow the signs on site if you want to walk near the bridge.
Drones are not allowed. Launching, landing or flying one from park land or water in Glen Canyon needs written permission from the park.
Other ways to see the dam
Three options, depending on what you want.
From the lake
On the lake, the dam is the end of the water. The one-hour boat trip from a marina east of Page runs on the lake side. The Wahweap Antelope Canyon and Rainbow Bridge tours are not available until further notice.
Lake Powell guide →From the river
Below the dam the river runs through a deep red canyon. Kayakers cannot launch at the dam. The access point is Lees Ferry, and a backhaul boat takes paddlers upstream.
Kayak guide →From Lees Ferry
Lees Ferry is the start of the river trips and a fishing spot, in Marble Canyon on US 89A.
Lees Ferry guide →Lake Powell is low in 2026. At the end of September the lake held about 22 percent of its usable capacity. That is why some boat ramps are closed and why the lake looks different from older photos. For another big dam on the Colorado River, see our sister guide to Hoover Dam.
Timing, heat and time zones
The Horseshoe Bend turn-off on US 89 is about 5 miles (8 km) south of the visitor center. The two fit into one day, but you need a car to get between them. Summer is very hot with little shade, so visit the overlook path in the cooler hours and carry water.
Arizona does not use daylight saving time, so Page stays on MST all year. The Navajo Nation does use it, and a few Antelope Canyon operators still run on Phoenix time. If you combine the dam with a canyon tour, confirm the start time on your booking, and do not rely only on your phone, which can switch when you drive through the reservation or into Utah.
Plan the rest of your day
What fits around a dam stop.
Glen Canyon Dam: frequently asked questions
Can you tour inside Glen Canyon Dam?
Not at the moment. The guided inside tours are suspended until further notice, and no restart date is set. You can still visit the Carl Hayden Visitor Center and the overlook.
What are the visitor center hours?
Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 from March to the end of October, and 9:00 to 16:00 from November to the end of February, in Arizona time.
Where is the Dam Overlook?
About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the visitor center, at the turn-off to Scenic View Drive. The path is about 940 ft (286 m) long, with rocky steps and a handrail.
Is the Powell Museum in Page open?
No. The museum building has closed and is planned to be sold. A second visitor center in town at 12 N Lake Powell Blvd is open Monday to Saturday.
Can I kayak from the dam?
No. There is no public kayak launch at the dam. Paddlers start at Lees Ferry and get a backhaul boat upstream.