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Foundation Document OverviewGlen Canyon National Recreation AreaRainbow Bridge National MonumentArizona and Utah
Contact InformationFor more information about the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument Foundation Document, contact: [email protected] or 928-608-6205 or write to: Superintendent, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National MonumentP.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040-1507
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Significance statements express why Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument resources and values are important enough to merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance describe why an area is important within a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit.
• The Colorado River and its many tributaries, including the Dirty Devil, Paria, Escalante, and San Juan rivers, carve through the Colorado Plateau to form a landscape of dynamic and complex desert and water environments.
• The vast, rugged landscapes of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area provide an unparalleled spectrum of diverse land- and water-based recreational opportunities for visitors of wide-ranging interests and abilities.
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area preserves a record of more than 10,000 years of human presence, adaptation, and exploration. This place remains significant for many descendant communities, providing opportunities for people to connect with cultural values and associations that are both ancient and contemporary.
• The deep, 15-mile-long, narrow gorge below the dam provides a glimpse of the high canyon walls, ancient rock art, and a vestige of the riparian and beach terrace environments that were seen by John Wesley Powell’s Colorado River expedition in 1869, providing a stark contrast to the impounded canyons of Lake Powell.
• Rainbow Bridge is one of the world’s largest natural bridges and is a premier example of eccentric stream erosion in a remote area of the Colorado Plateau.
• For many indigenous peoples in the Four Corners region, Rainbow Bridge is a spiritually occupied landscape that is inseparable from their cultural identities and traditional beliefs.
SignificancePurpose
Glen Canyon national ReCReation aRea, located at the center of the Colorado
Plateau, provides for public enjoyment through diverse land- and water-
based recreational opportunities, and protects scenic, scientific, natural, and cultural resources on Lake Powell, the
Colorado River, its tributaries, and surrounding lands.
Rainbow bRidGe national MonuMent protects an extraordinary natural bridge that captures public and scientific interest
with its rainbow form and appearance.
Fundamental resources and values are those features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or other attributes determined to merit primary consideration during planning and management processes because they are essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining its significance. Below are the fundamental resources and values of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
• Heritage Resources: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is the steward of heritage resources exemplified by the archeological and historic sites, cultural landscapes, and traditional cultural properties that illustrate the connection of people with the landscape of the Glen Canyon region.
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• Lake Powell: Lake Powell, set dramatically against a backdrop of eroded red rock canyons and mesas, is the largest man-made lake in North America and is widely recognized by boating enthusiasts as one of the premier water-based recreation destinations in the world.
• Landscape: The vast landscape of Glen Canyon contains rugged water- and wind-carved canyons, buttes, mesas, rivers, seeps, springs, and hanging gardens where diverse habitats sustain an array of endemic, rare, and relict plant and animal communities.
• Paleontology: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area preserves one of the most complete sections of Mesozoic strata in the world; new discoveries continuously add to our scientific understanding of the past.
• Water: Water quality and quantity is essential for public outdoor recreational use and enjoyment and for sustaining terrestrial and aquatic life in the high desert.
• Rainbow Bridge: The bridge itself is a fundamental resource.
• Traditional Cultural Property and Values: Rainbow Bridge and the immediately surrounding landscape are considered sacred by, and are vitally linked with the histories, cultural practices, ceremonial activities, and oral traditions of associated American Indian tribes.
Fundamental Resources and Values
Photo by Gary Ladd
North
0
0
5 Kilometers
5 Miles
RAINBOW BRIDGENATIONAL MONUMENT
GLEN CANYONNATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Lake Powell
Warm
Creek
Bay
WahweapBay
Col
or
ado River
PadreBay
Last Chance
Bay
Last Chance
Creek
Rock
Creek
Bay
San Juan Arm
West
CanyonCreek
Piut
eW
ash
Warm
Creek
DryRoc
kC
reek
Ro
ckC
r
Mid
dle
Roc
k Cr
3700ft1128m
TWILIG
HT
CA
NYO
N
BA
LDR
OC
KC
YN
DES
HA
CA
NY
ON
NAVAJO
CANY
ON
LABYRINTH
CA
NY
ON
FAC
EC
YN
KANE
POIN
T
WEST
CANYON
GR
AN
DB
EN
CH
SMOKYM
OUNTAIN
DU
NG
EON CANYON
WETH
ERIL
LC
AN
YON
MO
UN
TAIN
S
HEEP CYN
courtesy dockRainbow Bridge
Dangling RopeMarina
WahweapMarina
PAGE
LoneRock
Antelope PointMarina (proposed)
Glen Canyon Dam
Carl HaydenVisitor Center
FOR
BID
DIN
GC
AN
YO
N
CA
THE
DR
AL
CY
NC
AS
CA
DE
CY
N
CO
RN
ERST
ONE
CYN
OAK
CYN
AN
AS
AZ
IC
YN
NASJAMESA
SPENCERPOINTSIT DOWN
BENCH
ANTELOPEISLAND
THE SANDHILLS
ROMANAMESA
GUNSIGHTBUTTE
NAVAJOPOINT
CH
AC
AN
YON
DEE
PC
AN
YON
JACKRABBIT
CANYON
LITT
LEV
AL
LEY
CA
NY
ON
PADR
EC
YN
SM
OK
YH
OLL
OW
N AVA J OI N D I A N R E S E RVAT I O N
N AVA J OI N D I A N R E S E RVAT I O N
Lake mileage fromGlen Canyon Dam
Navajo Mountain10388ft3166m
UTAHARIZONA
1
10
13
18
23
28
4049
49
53
Rainbow Bridge to Bullfrogand Halls Crossing by water50mi 80km
Rainbow Bridge toWahweap by water50mi 80km
89
8998
98
0 5
10 Kilometers50
10 Miles
North
Trail
Overlook
River mileagefrom dam
Unpavedroad
88
Ranger Station
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a fee area.
Boat Launch
Marina
Floating dumpstation/restroomZebra musseldecontaminationstation
PrimitiveCampground
Campground
Restaurantand lodge
Most unpaved roads require a4-wheel-drive vehicle. Off-roadtravel is prohibited. Inquire lo-cally about road conditions;check with a ranger.
Do not use this map for navi-gation. Marinas and visitorcenters sell navigational maps.Only Lake Powell’s main chan-nel is marked with navigationalaids. Map shows lake at fullpool elevation (3,700 feet).
RAINBOWBRIDGENATIONALMONUMENT
NATURALBRIDGES
NATIONALMONUMENT
NAVAJONATIONALMONUMENT
CANYONLANDSNATIONAL PARK
HORSESHOECANYON UNIT
CAPITOL REEFNATIONAL PARK
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
GRAND CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
THE MAZE
ISLAND
IN
THE SKY
THENEEDLES
Visitor Center
Carl HaydenVisitor Center
Navajo BridgeInterpretiveCenter
G L E N C A
NY
ON
GL E N
CA
NY
ON
GL E N
CA
NY
ON
GLEN CANYONNATIONAL
RECREATIONAREA
N A V A J O I N D I A N R E S E R V A T I O N
Flash Flood CountryWashes and narrow canyons are subject to sudden, unex- pected flash flooding. It may be sunny weather where you are, but a distant storm can dump rain upstream sending a wall of water rushing down a normally dry wash or canyon. NEVER ENTER WASHES OR NARROW CANYONS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR THREATENING TO RAIN.
All Glen Canyon NRA landsnorth of this line require
backcountry permits which areissued by Canyonlands NP.Special regulations apply.
Road floodsat lake level3695 feet.
Dump/pump
station
Dump/pump
station
1
10
13
18
23
28
40
49
43
53
64
71
77
88
92
96
104
110
117
123
139
133
Permit required fromBureau of Land Management
(Monticello office) forSan Juan River trips.
LAKE
POWELL
AR
M
JUAN
SAN
San Juan River
LAKE P
OW
ELL
Colo
rado
River
Col
orad
o
River
Escalante River
Paria River
An
telope Creek
WAHWEAP BAY
WA
RM CREEK
BAY
PADREBAY
Wahw
eap
Creek
Warm Creek
Navajo Creek
West Canyon Creek
P
iute
W
ash
Neskahi
Wash
Wilson Creek
ZAHN BAY
Moo
nlig
ht C
re
ek
Laguna
Creek
Mitchell Butte W
ash Monument Wash
Piu
te F
arm
s W
ash
Olja
to
W
ash
Cast
le
Creek
LAST CH
AN
CE BAY
Dry R
ock
Cre
ek
Mid
dle
Roc
k C
reek R
ock
Cre
ek
Last Chance Creek
Cle
ar C
r In
dia
n Cr
Fif
tymile Cr
Nav
ajo
C
reek
Hurricane W
ash
HALLSCREEK BAY
BULLFRO
G
BAY
Smit
h F
ork
War
m S
pri
ng
s C
r Se
ven
mile
Cr
Han
sen C
reek
Lost Sprin
g
Wash
Shit
amar
ing
Cre
ek
Bullfrog Creek
Halls C
reek
Twentyfive Mile Wash
Harris Wash
Sand Creek
Silve
r Fa
lls C
reek
Escalante River
Dirty
Devil
River
Trachyte Creek
Sale
ratu
s W
ash
Muley Creek
Swee
twat
er
Cre
ek
Fremont River
Pleasan
t C
reek
Birch Creek
Fremont River
North W
ash Maidenwater Cr
Fortymile Creek
Mu
dh
ole
Cre
ek
Blac
kbu
rn
Cree
k
ROCK
CREEK BA
Y
Wide HollowReservoir
BigLake
CycloneLake
River
Green
PARIA CANYON –VERMILION CLIFFS
WILDERNESS(Bureau of Land Management)
BOX-DEATHHOLLOW
WILDERNESS(Forest Service)
UTAHARIZONA
UTAHARIZONA
GRAND GULCHPRIMITIVE AREA
(Bureau of Land Management)
VERMILION CLIFFSNATIONAL MONUMENT(Bureau of Land Management)
MONUMENT VALLEY
NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK
ANTELOPECANYONNAVAJO
TRIBALPARK
MANTI-LA SAL
NATIONAL
FOREST
GRAND STAIRCASE - ESCALANTE
NATIONAL MONUMENT(Bureau of Land Management)
D I X I E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T
FISHLAKE
NATIONAL FOREST
DARK CANYONPRIMITIVE AREA
(Bureau of LandManagement)
DARK CANYONWILDERNESS(Forest Service)
NA
VA
JOA
PAC
HE
CO
CO
NIN
ON
AV
AJO
SAN JUANAPACHE
SAN JUANCOCONINO
KANECOCONINO
SAN JUANNAVAJO
GARFIELDKANE
WAYNEGARFIELD
WAYNEGARFIELD
PIU
TE
WA
YN
E
WAYNE
SAN JUAN
KANE
SAN JUAN
431
430
450
530
630
656
651
650
633
632
730
731
756
787
763
765
774
775
777
763
744
633
633
657
531
332
330
230
231
265264
230
262
279
316
564
276
275
261
276
276
98
98
ALT89
ALT89
89
89
160
163
163
95
95
95
24
72
24
24
12
12
To 70 To 70 To 70
6310
6321
6320
6310
6325
20
16
16
59
221
Lees Ferry
Wahweap
Park Headquarters
Antelope PointGlenCanyonDam
PageAirport
Crossingof the
Fathers
DanglingRopeMarina
HallsCrossing
BullfrogClinic
VisitorCenter
courtesy dock
Hole-in-the-Rock
ThreeRoof
DevilsGarden
DanceHall
Rock
Marble Canyon
Big Water
LeChee
Oljato
Kayenta
Tsegi
MexicanHat
FryCanyon
Ticaboo
Boulder
unpavedswitchbacks
Small Butte
Tsai Skizzi Rock
NavajoGeneratingStation
TowerButte
GunsightButte Gregory
Butte
PadreButte
ThumbRock
BootMesa
GouldingTrading
Post
AgathlaPeak
RoosterRock
SpearheadMesa
SENTINELMESA
TrainRock
AlhambraRock
Clay HillsCrossing
MuleyPoint
HorseshoeBend
GoosenecksState Park
HOLIDAYMESA
JacobsMonument
OrganRock
EAGLEMESA
HatRock
PinnacleRock
PARIA CANYON
Bitter Springs
THOUSANDPOCKETS
ECHOPEAKS
PAGE
WATERPOCKETS
MARB
LE
CAN
YON
ECH
O
CLI
FFS
CL IFFS
VERM
ILIO
N
Co
pp
erm
ine
Ro
ad
Lone
Rock Rd
ANTELOPEISLAND
THE SANDHILLS
ROMANA MESA
CastleRock
LoneRock
PAD
RE C
CHAOL CANYON
GRAY MESA
LABYRINTH C
AN
YO
N
FACE CANYO
N
TSE BINJO
OBA
AH
I
WEST
CANYON
DU
NG
EON C
GRO
TTO C
WETH
ERILL CA
NY
ON
MO
UN
TAIN
SHEEP CANYON
CUMMINGS MESA FORB
IDD
ING
C
R A I N B O W P L A T E A U
OAK C
CLIFF C
ANASA
ZI C
CH
A C
AN
YO
N
DES
HA
CA
NY
ON
NASJAMESA
BALA
NC
EDRO
CK
C
CASCA
DE
C
CORN
ERST
ON
E
CA
NYO
N
DRI
FTW
OO
D C
Z ILN
EZ
MES
A
SK
EL
ET
ON
M
ES
A
T Y E N D E M E S A
BALD
ROC
K C
AN
YO
N
DEEP CANYON
PIU
TE
M
ESA
JACKRA
BBIT
CANY
ON
LONG CANYON
PEACH CANYON
HO
SKIN
NIN
I M
ESA
BIGPOINT
WET
HER
ILL
MES
A
LITTLE CAPITAN VALLEY RIDGE
COMB
HUNTS MESA
OLJATO MESA
MERIDIANBUTTE
MO
NU
ME
NT
VA
L L EY
SH
ON
TO
PL
AT
EA
U
EL CAPITAN FLAT
TSEGI CANYON
LON
G
CA
NYO
N K
EET
SEE
L C
AN
YO
N
DOW
OZH
IEBI
TO C
AN
YON
NO
KA
I
M
ESA
NO
MA
NS M
ESA
MO
NITOR M
ESA
NO
KA
I CA
NY
ON
COPPER CA
NYO
N
MONITORBUTTE
NOKAIDOMEWILSON
MESAGREATBEND
THERINCON
POLLYWOGBENCH
ROCKHOUSE GULCH
JOHNS CANYON
SLIC
KHO
RN C
ANYON
CE
DA
R
M
ES
A
DOUGLAS MESA
G
RAN
D
GUL
CH
WH
IRLW
IND
DRA
W
MIKES MESA
GR
AN
D
F L
AT
R E D
H
OU
S E
C L I FF S
CLAY
HILLS
EAST
FO
RK
MIKES
CA
NYON
STEE
R PAST
URE CANYON
GREY M
ESA
COTTONWOOD C
RIBBON C
LLEWELLYN GULCH
LAK
E CA
NY
ON
GRA
ND
BENC
H
LITT
LE V
ALL
EY C
ANYO
N
SITDOWNBENCH
FOUR MILEBENCH
CRO
TON
C
SUND
AY C
ANYO
N
DRIP TANK CANYON
LITTLE ESCALANTE CAN
YON
DRY CAN
YO
N
MO
NDAY
CANYON
LEFT
HAND
CO
LLET
CANYON
SMO
KY
MO
UN
TAIN
TIBBET CANYON NIPPLE BENCH
WESSES CA
NYON
COY
OTE C
AN
YON
JACK RIG
GS BENCH
SMO
KY
HO
LLO
W
ICEBERG CANYON
SLICK ROCK CANYON
ANNIESCANYON
Cal BlackMemorial
Airport
ChocolateDrop
CopperPoint
IndianHeadPass
FiddlerButte
BagpipeButte
Natural Arch
CleopatrasChair
EkkerButte
Buttes ofthe Cross
BuckacrePoint
The Pinnacle
TeapotRock
TurkeyKnob
RaggedMountain
CastleButte
The Heel
LOST
EDEN
C
LON
G
CA
NY
ON
BOW
NS
CA
NYO
N
EXPLO
RER
CANYONFENCE CANYON
COW
CAN
YON
LAKE CANYON
IRON TOP MESA
LON
EROC
K C
WIREG
RASS
CANYON
DAVI
S GULC
H
Navajo Mountain10388ft3166m Navajo Mountain
Trading Post
NavajoBegay
HawkeyeNaturalBridge
FiftymilePoint
BementArch
LaGorce
Arch
Broken BowArch
StevensArch
CliffArch
JacobHamblin
Arch
CoyoteNaturalBridge
NavajoPoint
SpencerPoint
WILL
OW GULCH
NO
RT
H GULC
H CRYSTAL SPRING CANYON
FORGOTTEN CANYON
DefianceHouse
HallsCreek
pavedairstrip
PURPLE HILLS
HALL DIVIDE
STEV
EN
S CANYON
FORTYMILE
RIDGE
KNOWLES CANYON
CEDAR CANYON
MANCOSMESA
GOOD HOPEMESA
TICABOOMESA
R E D R O C K
P L A T E A U
RED CANYO
N
BLUE
CANY
ON
MOQUI CANYON
WOODENSHOEBUTTES
MOSSBACKBUTTE
BLAC
K STEER C
WOODENSHOE CANYON
LONG CA
NY
ON
LOWER HORSEFLATS
RED BEN
CH
ES
THEHORN
BLACK POINT
YOUNGS C
DARK CANYON
LEAN-TO CANYON
DA
RK
C
AN
YO
N
PLA
TEA
U
GYPSUM CANYON
BEEF BASIN
ERNIESCOUNTRY
SODASPRINGSBASIN
Maze
GrandViewPoint
GreenRiver
BagpipeButte
DirtyDevil
Hans Flat
PanoramaPoint
CA
NYO
N
CLEARWATER
CANYON
PETESMESA
NORTH TRAIL
CANYON
GO
RDO
N F
LATS
THE B
LOCK
COVE C
WH
ITE
CAN
YON
BLUE NOTCH C SCORUP CANYON
ROC
K
C
AN
YON
TAPE
STRY
WAL
L
CLAY POINT
CO
AL
BED
MES
A
BIG TH
OM
PSON
MESA
MIDDLE POINT
LITT
LE
ROCK
IES
CANE
SPR
ING D
ESER
T
CLAY CANYON
LONG CANYON
GRA
ND
GU
LCH
SCORPION GULCH
EAST
MOODY CANYON
CHOPRO
CK B
ENCH
THE
GLU
CH
THE BO
X
HO
RSE
CA
NY
ON
MID
DLE MOODY C
ANYON
BAKER
BENCH
DRY FORK
COYOTE GULCH
S T R AI G
H
T C L I F F F I F T Y MI L E M
O
UN
TAI N
K A I P A R O
WI T S P L A
TE
AU
Hole - in - the - Rock Road
Hig
hw
ay 12 Scenic Byway
Hells Backbone Road
Mo
un
tain
Ro
ad
Smoky
CIRCLE CLIFFS
EscalanteBLM, NPS, USFS
LoaU.S. Forest Service
TeasdaleU.S. Forest Service
HanksvilleBureau of Land Management
Kane GulchBureau of Land Management
(closed in winter)
Torrey
Bicknell
Lyman
Fremont
AnasaziState Park
EscalanteState Park
Burr
Wolverine
Loop
Road
Mo
od
y Can
yon
Ro
ad
Trail Road
Notom
- Bullfrog Road
Bicentennial Highw
ay
Bicentennial Highway
WA
TERPO
CK
ET FO
LD
WA
TER
POC
KET FO
LD
BUTT CANYON
MountEllsworth8235ft2510m
Mount Hillers10723ft3268m
Mount Pennell11371ft3466m
Mount Ellen11522ft3512m
Lookout Peak11124ft3391m
Bull Mountain7187ft2800m
CassCreekPeak
MountHolmes
AntKnoll
TheHorn
BulldogPeak
FOURMILE CANYON TWOMILE CANYON
Hite
ANDY MILLER FLATS
CATA
RACT
MILLE CRAGBEND
SHEEP CANYON
FIDDLER COVE C
MAR
INU
S C
AN
YO
N
THREEFORKS
TAYLOR RIDGES
NO MANMESA
MAIDENWATERSANDS
INDIANSPRINGSBENCHES
STAIR
CA
NYO
N
BUTT
ER C
ANYON CEDAR POINT
HA
TCH
C
POISON SPRING CANYON
NORTH HATCH CANYON
SOUTH HATCH CANYON
THE BIG RIDGE HAPPY CANYON
SAMS MESA
B U R RD E S E R T
NORTHPINTO HILLS
Caineville
Notom(site)
Visitor Center
Fruita
Singletree
OakCreek
LowerBowns
PleasantCreek
LarbHollow
SteepCreek
Homestead
LonesomeBeaver
(BLM)
McMillanSprings(BLM)
StarrSprings(BLM)
FarleyCanyon
WhiteCanyon
Blue NotchCanyon
SundanceTrailhead
DirtyDevil
HogSprings
RestArea
DeerCreek
CalfCreek
BlueSpruce
PosyLake
Wolverine PetrifiedWood Natural Area
StantonCreek
CedarMesa
HanksvilleAirport
TWIN CORRAL FLATS
SAMS M
ES
A BOX CANYON
TW
IN CORRAL BOX CANYON
NO MANS CANYON
BERT MESA
TRAIL CANYON
BIG RID
GE
HE
NR
Y M
OU
NT
AI N
S
UPP
ER
BLU
E
H
ILLS
DRY
VAL
LEY
BLUE VA
LLEY BEN
CH
ES
A Q U A R I U S P L A T E A U
ESCA
LAN
TE M
OU
NTA
INS
A WA P A P L A T E A U
BO
UL D
ER
MO
UN
TAI N
ROBBERS
ROOST CANYON
ORA
NG
E C
LIFF
S
Flint T
rail
MIL
LARD
CA
NY
ON
ORA
NG
E
CLI
FFS
THE
S
PUR
HORS
ETHI
EF C
ANYON
STILLWATER CA
NYO
N
HO
RSES
HO
E C
AN
YO
N
NARROW C DRY
MESA
MAIN CANYON
CRO
SS CA
NY
ON
WATE
RHOLE F
LAT
TRACHYTE POINT
STEE
R G
ULC
H
CA
THEDRAL C
KANE PT
NAVAJO
CANYON
ToTuba City
ToCanyon deChelly NM
ToGrand Canyon NP(south rim)and Flagstaff
ToGrand Canyon NP(north rim)
ToZion NP
ToTropic and Bryce Canyon NP
ToFarmington,
N. Mex.
ToBlanding
andHovenweep
NM
ToBlanding
andHovenweep NM
ELA
TER
ITE
THE
GRA
BEN
S
BASIN
P A R I A P L A T E A U
E A S T C L A R K
B E N C H
TA R A N T U L A M E S A
VisitorCenter
HA
LL MESA
C A P I T O
L R E E F
S O U T H DE S E R T
MINERS M
OUNTAIN
STUDHORSE PEAKS
UPPER
VALLEY
WA
GO
N BO
X MESA
BIG HOLLOW
Ferry
Waterfallportage maybe required
Glen Canyon NRAPark MapFebuary 2009
Location of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Other Important Resources and Values
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area contains other resources and values that are not fundamental to the purpose of the park and may be unrelated to its significance, but are important to consider in planning processes. These resources and values have been selected because they are important in the operation and management of the park and warrant special consideration in park planning.
The following other important resources and values have been identified for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area:
• Wilderness: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area includes 588,855 acres of proposed wilderness and 48,955 acres of potential wilderness. Together this represents 51% of the total land area of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, containing a variety of culturally and ecologically unique landscapes where visitors can experience the character and solitude of wilderness within a recreation area.
Interpretive Themes
Interpretive themes are often described as the key stories or concepts that visitors should understand after visiting a park—they define the most important ideas or concepts communicated to visitors about a park unit. Themes are derived from—and should reflect—park purpose, significance, resources, and values. The set of interpretive themes is complete when it provides the structure necessary for park staff to develop opportunities for visitors to explore and relate to all of the park significances and fundamental resources and values.
• The land and water features of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area provide a remarkable variety of opportunities to satisfy our hunger for adventure, discovery, and recreation.
• The dramatic landscape of Glen Canyon lays bare the geological portrait of Earth, which reveals the ancient history of rock, water, and life on the Colorado Plateau with nearly limitless opportunities for research and personal revelation.
• From the first native peoples to contemporary societies, thousands of years of human history along the Colorado River illuminates the intricate web of relationships between peoples, their interaction with the landscape, and the results that shape cultural exchange, create conflict, achieve progress, command choice, and deliver consequences.
• Environments within Glen Canyon remind us that much of life is hidden to casual observation—and entice us to slow our pace and more intimately observe the subtle intricacies and adaptations of both plant and animal communities.
• Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest known natural bridges in the world, a symbol of strength, balance, and change that spans geologic time.
• For many indigenous peoples in the Four Corners region, Rainbow Bridge is a spiritually occupied landscape that is inseparable from their cultural identities and traditional beliefs.
• Even in a landscape of dramatic and distinctive features, the immense presence of Rainbow Bridge often inspires the strong desire to both see and protect it.
• Though remote and in some ways difficult to access, the uniqueness of Rainbow Bridge has inspired many people over time to make the journey and experience its grandeur.
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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon) and Rainbow Bridge National Monument are located in a geographic area commonly referred to as the Colorado Plateau. This desert region is characterized by expansive areas of exposed and uplifted rocks that have been carved by the Colorado River and several tributaries. Lake Powell, formed by the impounded waters of the Colorado River above the Glen Canyon Dam, is the best known and most visited feature at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the Glen Canyon Dam. The surrounding desert landscape and river corridors also provide a wide range of recreational opportunities and provide habitat for a diverse assemblage of terrestrial and aquatic species.
Glen Canyon encompasses more than 1.25 million acres in northern Arizona and southeastern Utah. The recreation area includes portions of Garfield, Kane, San Juan, and Wayne counties in Utah and Coconino County in Arizona. The park’s southern boundary runs contiguous to lands of the Navajo Nation for almost 500 miles. Other national park system units, including Grand Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument also share a boundary with the park.
Glen Canyon adjoins approximately 9.3 million acres of other federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, including the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The park staff consults regularly with the Hopi Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Pueblo of Zuni, San Juan Southern Paiute, and Ute Mountain Ute in areas of mutual interest.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument was established in 1910 to protect a large and exceptionally scenic natural bridge and its surrounding area. At 160 acres, the monument is bounded by Glen Canyon and the Navajo Nation lands. Rainbow Bridge is sacred to several American Indian tribes, including the Hopi Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (White Mesa Band). The stone arc of Rainbow Bridge is composed of Navajo sandstone on a base of Kayenta sandstone. Rainbow Bridge spans 275 feet, reaching a height of 290 feet above Bridge Creek and ranging from 33 to 42 feet thick. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument are managed as one unit; therefore, they are both included in this foundation document.
Description
