U.S. Route 89: Glen Canyon Dam to Big Water – Utah

Take in the wide skies and red cliffs of canyon country as we follow U.S. Route 89 for 14 scenic miles from the Glen Canyon Dam near Lake Powell to the small town of Big Water, Utah. This brief but unforgettable stretch threads its way through some of the most visually arresting landscapes on the Colorado Plateau, serving as a gateway between the stark beauty of northern Arizona and the redrock canyons of southern Utah.

We begin just north of the iconic Glen Canyon Dam, a marvel of mid-century engineering completed in 1963 to harness the Colorado River. Towering 710 feet above the canyon floor, the dam created Lake Powell—one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the U.S. As we head north from the dam, U.S. 89 climbs gently into the high desert, with deep canyons to the east and rugged outcroppings of Navajo Sandstone to the west. On our right, the shimmering blue waters of Lake Powell occasionally peek through the rocks, a stark contrast to the rust-colored cliffs that dominate the skyline.

Just beyond the dam lies the entrance to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which offers access to marinas, campgrounds, and overlooks—an ideal detour for those with more time. Back on the highway, we pass through the tiny outpost of Wahweap, home to a major marina and visitor services. Here, the terrain begins to open up, revealing vast stretches of slickrock and desert scrub, punctuated by mesas in the distance. The road is smooth and easy, with sweeping curves that encourage a leisurely pace. Every few minutes, new vistas unfold, painting a vivid picture of erosion, time, and geology in motion.

Crossing into Utah, the landscape subtly shifts again. Layers of sedimentary rock become more pronounced, and the terrain takes on the look of a prehistoric seabed—because, quite literally, it was. This area is part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a paleontologist’s dream that has yielded some of the most significant dinosaur fossils in the country. Just before reaching Big Water, we pass the Big Water Visitor Center, a small but informative stop highlighting local geology and ancient lifeforms. Though unassuming, Big Water sits at the doorstep of incredible backcountry adventures, including the legendary Cottonwood Canyon Road and the remote Paria River Basin.

As we roll into Big Water, the journey feels both complete and like a prelude to something more. U.S. 89 continues northwest toward Kanab and Bryce Canyon, deeper into Utah’s canyon country, but this brief segment captures the essence of the American Southwest in a remarkably compact form. From towering dams to desert solitude, from ancient seabeds to modern marvels, this 14-mile stretch offers a concentrated dose of awe.