The Happiness Function

With almost 2,000 miles of shoreline, Lake Powell makes for the best outdoor adventures. The entire area has incredible views of red rocks, sandstone, and blue skies — you can usually count on sunny days.

Camping at Lake Powell is one of our favorite things to do. In this guide, I’ll share popular camping spots, including where to camp on the beach, how much it costs, and more.

Glen Canyon NRA

Lake Powell is also called Glen Canyon. It is a national recreation area (NRA) managed by the National Park Service. There is an entrance fee to enter the park. On top of that, if you are camping, there is a camping fee.

To enter the park, it costs:

• $55 — for the annual Glen Canyon National Recreation Area pass
• The America the Beautiful National Park Pass is accepted
• $30 –- entrance fee for one week if no annual pass

For more information on fees, visit the National Park Service.

Rules About Camping

Visitors can camp along the shores almost anywhere at Lake Powell (except Rainbow Bridge).

The National Park Service does allow camping in undeveloped areas along the shore. Visitors just have to be able to access undeveloped locations via boat, watercraft, or by hiking in, if not an already designated campground or primitive camping area.

Where To Camp at Lake Powell

The campgrounds and camping areas below offer shoreline camping.

1. Stanton Creek Campground – Utah

Depending on the water level, there are sandy beach areas at Stanton Creek.

It is a primitive camping area where you camp in undesignated spots. This is a great place for tent campers. You can get an RV back here if you are alright taking it down dirt roads.

You can hike or mountain bike on the dirt roads, which we love doing.

Here are more details about camping in Stanton Creek:

• There are no reservations accepted. You can camp on a first come, first serve basis.
• There are no facilities or electricity.
• There is no water, showers, or flushing toilets.
• Vault toilets are available seasonally; but you should bring your own toilet paper (ask me how I know).
• A toilet is required within 200 yards of your campsite. If you don’t have an RV, bring wag bags or another portable toilet option.
• It costs $12 per night to stay here.
• Dogs are allowed.
• Campfires are allowed.
• There is no shade.

2. Lone Rock Beach Campground – Utah

Depending on the time of year visiting and the water levels, Lone Rock is the best place for camping in the sand. Please keep in mind that water levels have dropped drastically over the years. In other words, don’t freak out when you realize that the picture you saw in a magazine is no longer how it looks.

This is a primitive camping area and there are no designated campsites.

• There are no reservations accepted. You can camp on a first come, first serve basis.
• Water is seasonally available.
• Outdoor cold showers are seasonally available.
• Vault toilets are seasonal, but bring your own toilet paper because they do run out.
• Flush toilets are seasonal.
• A toilet is required within 200 yards of a campsite. If you don’t have an RV, bring wag bags or another portable toilet option.
• It costs $14 per night to camp.
• Dogs are allowed.
• Campfires are allowed.

3. Wahweap Campground and RV Park – Arizona

This is a great place for RV camping. Dry campsites and RV full hook-ups are available.

Reservations are accepted. Visit www.lakepowell.com to make reservations.

• Water is available.
• Showers are available year-round.
• Flush toilets are available year-round.
• The cost varies for dry campsites or full hookups.
• Dogs are allowed
• Campfires are allowed

4. Bullfrog Campground – Utah

This is another great place for RV camping.

No reservations are required to dry camp. It is on a first come, first serve basis.

Reservations are required for RV hookups. Visit www.lakepowell.com for reservations.

• Water is available.
• Showers are available year-round.
• Flush toilets are available year-round.
• Cost varies for dry campsites or full hook-ups.
• Dogs are allowed.
• Campfires are allowed.

5. Halls Crossing Campground and RV Park – Utah

You have to ride the ferry from Bullfrog Marina to get to the Halls Crossing Campground area.

Contact the Bullfrog Marina ahead of time to arrange travel to Halls Crossing.

No reservations are required to dry camp. It is on a first come, first serve basis.

Reservations are required for RV hookups. Visit www.lakepowell.com for reservations.

• Water is available seasonally, but there are no showers.
• Flush toilets are available seasonally.
• Cost varies for dry campsites or full hook-ups.
• Dogs are allowed.
• Campfires are allowed.

The Best Primitive Camping Areas

The two best places for primitive camping are:

• Stanton Creek Campground
• Lone Rock Beach Campground

Best Time of Year to Camp

The best time of year to camp at Lake Powell is definitely during the spring and fall. If you are dry camping without any facilities, the summer temperatures can be scorching hot in the triple digits (100+ degrees Fahrenheit), so it can be uncomfortable and dangerous.

If you are staying at one of the campgrounds with an RV and have electricity and AC, summer camping is more comfortable if you can get a break from the sun or enjoy activities on the water — like boating with shade.

Late spring, early summer, and early fall are the best times of the year for being on the water and camping here.

Is There Cell Phone Reception?

Most of the primitive camping locations do not have cell phone reception. From our experience, unless you are close to one of the marinas, cell phone reception is hit-and-miss.

The Wahweap and Bullfrog campgrounds have cell phone reception.

What To Pack

To camp at Lake Powell, you’ll want to be sure to bring all the basics because you are literally in the middle of nowhere:

• Camp Kitchen
• Tent Camping Gear
• Shade
• Sunscreen
• Water sandals
• Layers to accommodate the temperature swings
• Bathing suits
• Quick-dry camping towels
• Headlamps
• Water bottles and lots of water
• Wag bags if you’re camping further than 200 feet away from a bathroom

When you’re camping in the desert, the rule of thumb is to make sure you have one gallon of water per person per day.

The Bullfrog Marina does have a little store with snacks, drinks, and some supplies.

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