Lone Star Travelers Blog » Lone Rock Beach

Castle Rock Cut at Lake Powell

joanie7 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:34:32 +0000

Good news for boaters headed to Lake Powell this summer. Spring runoff is expected to open Castle Rock Cut by June 2008 and it is expected to remain open until 2010. Due to drought conditions Castle Rock Cut has not been usable since 2003. Boaters launching from Wahweap Marina or Lone Rock Beach save about 12 miles on the way to popular areas such as Rainbow Bridge, Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay. Snowpack in the upper Colorado River basin is expected to give Lake Powell it’s highest level in years. Castle Rock Cut is passable when the lake level is at 3,618 ft or better. The expected drop in water level next winter is projected at 3,828 ft which is excellent news. The National Park Service released an environmental assessment in February 2008 examining the possibility of further deepening the Castle Rock Cut so it would be passable to boats at lower lake levels. That project is currently on hold since there is not enough time to put the excavation equipment to work before lake levels rise this year.

For more information on Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell please go to our website lonestartravelers.com

Where to get on the Internet in Page Arizona

joanie7 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:06:30 +0000

While you are vacationing in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, perhaps staying at Lone Rock Beach, The Lake Powell Resort or a local motel you will eventually want to check your e-mail and other important things on the internet. There are three public places where you can do this.

The Page Public Library. Located at 479 S. Lake Powell Blvd. This is part of business loop 89 that circles the city.
Bean’s Coffee House located in the Dam Plaza at 644 N. Navajo, also part of business loop 89. WiFi connection while you drink your cup of java or if you didn’t bring your laptop they have computers that you may use for a fee.
The Lake Powell Resort on Lake Shore Drive 4 miles north of Glen Canyon Dam. You must pass through the fee station into the Glen Canyon National Recreation. WiFi connection is available in the lobby of the resort or near the laundry at the RV Park. We found both of these spots unreliable especially on weekends when many people were attempting to secure a connection.

Slackers Quality Grub, Page Arizona

joanie7 — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:52:45 +0000

Slackers is one of the hottest restaurants in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Located in Page Arizona it is a favorite with the 3 million tourists who visit Lake Powell every year as well as locals who enjoy the sports bar interior and the patio dining area. The specialty is char broiled burgers.

Paria Outpost Restaurant Near Lake Powell

joanie7 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:14:12 +0000

Eat where the locals go. The Paria Outpost Restaurant on Highway 89 between Page Arizona and Kanab Utah is a destination in itself. The 30 mile drive from Page Arizona on a Friday or Saturday night from March thru October will bring you to a reasonably priced all you can eat buffet featuring Texas smoked barbeque. Tip: The correct pronunciation of Paria rhymes with Maria.

Camping in and around Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

joanie7 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:00:58 +0000

You have five choices for camping in and around Lake Powell on the southern or downlake end of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Starting with the most primitive and basic you may camp in the back country. You must be at least 100 feet from a paved road and outside of alcoves and archaeological sites. You may not camp in roadside pullouts, picnic areas or on posted beaches near developed areas. You may hike in or drive. Many roads require 4-wheel drive vehicles. You may not mountain bike except on vehicle roadways, no off-road travel. In roadless areas you may hike in and primitive camp. No bicycles or off road vehicles permitted. Tip: If you will be overnight hiking in the Escalante Canyon Area it is recommended that you obtain a free permit at the Escalante Visitor Center. 435-826-5499 Always sign in at the trailheads.
You may camp anywhere along the shores of Lake Powell except in developed marinas. The majority of Lake Powell is accessible only by boat. You must have a portable toilet unless toilets are available on your vessel or are within 200 yards of your campsite. It is recommended that you anchor on a beach for the night as high winds can move boats into rocks. Do not camp under rocky overhangs as rain can cause rock slides and down pouring rain can sink a vessel.
You may camp at Lone Rock Beach. For more information visit our Lone Rock Beach at Lake Powell blog entry.
You may camp at the Wahweap RV/Campground located 5 miles from the Glen Canyon Dam or 8 miles from the city of Page Arizona. This is a developed campground at Wahweap Marina managed by the concessioner Aramark. There are 139 full hook-ups situated in several camping loops. You may walk to the lake shore from the campground. There are also 112 tent or non hook-up sites. Your Golden Age/Access card will apply in this area only for 50% discount on camping. Reservations can be made by phone. Toll Free: 800-528-6154 Outside U.S.: 602-278-8888 Wahweap Office: 928-645-1059

The Page Lake Powell Campground. This is an in town campground and does not have a lake view. It does have full hook-ups with cable or without as well as electric and water sites only or tent sites with no hook-ups. They offer full amenities including an indoor heated pool. Some sites have shade and there is ample parking space for extra vehicles or boats.

Lone Rock Beach at Lake Powell, Kane County Utah, Near Page Arizona

joanie7 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:55:01 +0000

Visit our Lone Rock Beach Photo GalleryRead Joan’s essay on Lone Rock Beach and Glen Canyon

Lone Rock Beach is located in Kane County Utah just across the Arizona border. It is inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and operated by the National Park Service. Known as a party beach, that reputation is based partly on the fact that Hugh Hefner shows up on occasion, playboy bunnies in tow, launching the party of the summer from his houseboat anchored off the beach in Wahweap Bay. He listed Lone Rock Beach as one of the best party beaches in the United States in an issue of Playboy Magazine. Hef and the bunnies may not be there when you are but a lot of partying still goes on, mostly on the south side of the beach. If you are looking for a quieter more family oriented experience try to find a spot on the northern side of the beach. Camping here is primitive on the beach or in the dunes with no designated camping spots. First come first serve is the order of the day. Summer weekends especially the holiday weekends can bring people, kids, their dogs, boats and ATV’s in record numbers. National Park entry fee must be paid as well as per night camping fees and vessel use fee if you bring your boat The camping fee as of February 2008 is $12 nightly. Your Golden Age/Access card does apply here for 50% discount on camping. The camping limit is 14 days at one time or not more than 30 days maximum per year. Four micro flush toilets, six vault toilets, one comfort station (toilets and sinks) and an outdoor cold shower, an Off Road Vehicle area, dump station and potable water (seasonal) are available for your use. You must carry your own portable toilet if toilets are not available within 200 yards of your campsite. (toilets may not be the plastic disposable bag type) The National Park Service regularly patrols the beach and surrounding area. Know the rules and follow them to avoid warnings or fines. Here are some things you CAN and CANNOT do at Lone Rock Beach in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You CAN camp anywhere along the shoreline of Lake Powell. If RV camping you CANNOT dump your waste water on the beach. There is a stiff fine for this. Use the dump station. You CAN keep your boat anchored in the water in front of your campsite. You CANNOT navigate at anything but no wake speed in the beach area. You CAN use your Jet Ski right from the beach in front of your campsite or run up to Big Water two miles to the North and rent one. You CANNOT operate a Jet Ski in Utah if you are between the ages of 12-17 unless you take a boating education course. In Arizona children under 12 years of age are prohibited from operating a jet ski. You are almost on the state line so you will undoubtedly be operating in both states. Go to stateparks.utah.gov/boating and www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/outdoor recreation/boatinglaws for more information. You CAN fish from the shore or from your boat. You CANNOT fish without a fishing license from each state (Arizona and Utah) if you cross the state line. Your children between the ages of 8 and 16 years old CAN operate your All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on public land in the designated off road area if they have been certified. You CANNOT operate your ATV in the camping area at excessive speeds. Go to www.ut.blm.gov/OHV/ohvinfo.html for more information. You CANNOT shoot off fireworks from the beach and from your boat. You CAN and will receive a fine and confiscation of the fireworks if you do. You CAN have your dog with you. You CANNOT allow your dog to defecate on or near the beach. You must clean up after your animal. You CAN and will receive a hefty fine if you do not. You CAN have a lot of fun camping and playing in the water at Lone Rock Beach. You CANNOT have fun if you do not respect the environment, the park rules and regulations and your fellow human beings. Things you SHOULD do. Pay attention when the ranger at the fee station directs you to the best beach access road. Following these directions can save you a hefty tow bill when you get stuck in soft sand. Observe “quiet time” from 10PM-6AM. Things you SHOULD NOT do. You should NOT bathe at the water spigot at the dump station while trailers and RV’s line up waiting to use it. You SHOULD use the outdoor shower at the comfort station. You should NOT wash and polish your boat at the dump station while others waiting to use the dump station line up behind you. You SHOULD pull off to the side, there is plenty of room to do this and spit shine to your heart’s content. You SHOULD make your camping fee payment using the automated machine at the gate station if the attendant is not on duty. If the machine is not working come up in the morning to pay. You should NOT try to sneak in and out of the gate when it is not manned. The National Park Service Patrol will tail you down Hwy 89 as you leave. They call it compliance. Save yourself the trouble. You should NOT attempt to walk the 12 miles into Page Arizona if you are stranded at Lone Rock Beach for any reason. Walking that distance in the summer heat without water is dangerous and may be fatal. If you wake up in the morning and find your group has left without you or you don’t know where you are and how you got here you SHOULD call the National Park Service patrol and they will help you out. You SHOULD come out and have some summer fun at Lone Rock Beach in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Be sure to bring your common sense with you and it will be a memorable experience. Note: As you play in and around Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Recreation Area take every precaution to keep yourself safe. If the National Park Service deems a situation which requires medical evacuation they will call Classic Helicopter based out of Page Arizona. This will be a very expensive ride. For more information on the area around Lone Rock Beach browse my blog archives under Glen Canyon. Tips include where to hike, where to eat with the locals and where to get on the internet.

Read Joan’s essay on Lone Rock Beach and Glen Canyon