Despite Extremely Low Water Levels, One Of The Top Visited National Park Sites In The Country Is Found In Utah
By Courtnie Erickson|Published March 18, 2024
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
It is no secret that in 2023, individuals flocked to national parks and national park sites. In fact, there were more than 325.5 million visits to national park sites last year alone. However, one surprising finding is that Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, located in both Arizona and Utah, was one of the top visited national park sites in the country even with its critically low water levels.
You will find more than 400 national park sites around the country. Out of these, Blue Ridge Parkway, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Gulf Island Seashore, and Lincoln Memorial, all topped the list as some of the most visited sites.
Located in both Utah and Arizona, this national recreation area is the ultimate playground. It includes more than 1.25 million acres, incredible hiking trails, and views that you will have a hard time forgetting.
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In 2023, Glen Canyon NRA saw 5.2 million visitors, setting a record for the area. The previous record was set in 2017 when Glen Canyon NRA saw approximately 4.6 million visitors.
While this area is a wonderful place to play, it is also known for its dangerous drought. In early 2023, Lake Powell broke records for its low water levels. Fortunately, there was some increase in levels during the summer months but water levels still remained critically low.
The low water level is not only bad for the environment but it also impacts recreation at Lake Powell, the second largest reservoir in the country. Boat ramp access points, on-lake facilities, the shoreline, and other areas in the national recreational area are all affected.
We recommend before any visit to Glen Canyon NRA to check out the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date information on the area and its amenities and facilities.
Glen Canyon NRA wasn’t the only national park site in Utah to top visitation lists for 2023. When looking at visitation in just national parks, Zion National Park came in #3 with 4.62 million visitors. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Grand Canyon National Park were the only two parks that saw more visitors in 2023.
Were you surprised that Glen Canyon National Recreation Area saw such a high number of visitors in 2023? What are some of your favorite national park sites in the country? Let us know in the comments. You can also learn more about 2023 visitation numbers on the National Park Service website.
If you plan to spend time at Glen Canyon NRA this year, make sure you are prepared with the proper gear. Check out places like REI and Backcountry for some options.
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