It’s every campers and RV’ers dream to wake up each morning to equisite natural beauty. Even better if that view comes with a certain price tag – almost free.
Lone Rock Beach in Lake Powell, Utah was that ultimate dream.
It was possibly my favorite campsite on our entire 12 month RV trip of West USA. It was also our first time using our own solar power and water.
Why not camp here for a few days while you set up your solar panels properly and get used to how this boondocking thing works?
Lone Rock Beach, Lake Powell
The view from your camp chair is dominated by the massive, monolithic rock, known as Lone Rock.
This free-standing sandstone rock is what this beach, of one of the most popular beaches in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is named after.
It’s one of the few spots in this massive protected area that you can actually drive up to the water’s edge and camp for a cheap price.
Lone Rock Beach is on Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, the heart of the “Grand Circle” of Southwest national parks. It offers 1.25 million acres of golden cliffs, lush hanging gardens, narrow slot canyons, and the brilliant blue waters of Lake Powell.
Even better is its location – only 12 miles from Page, Arizona, which means you get access to two of Arizona’s top things to do, if not Southwest USA highlights. (more on Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon below)
Lone Rock Beach is one of those places you can park your RV and settle in for some time.
Wake up to watch the beautiful soft light of sunrise illuminating Lone Rock, grab your paddle board or kayak and explore the crystal blue waters, spend the day swimming, and the evening watching the golden and red light of sunset, roasting marshmallows over the campfire with friends, and gazing at the shimmering stars at night.
It’s true paradise.
We visited in winter as we were exploring the Southwest USA in-depth and on our way to Monument Valley. I’d love to return to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Recreation area to explore it more in-depth.
The water was freezing at this time, but I was still happy for a quick wake up swim each morning.
The kids also kayaked over to Lone Rock and spent the day over there (with supplies) playing a Survivor Challenge game! this is such a family friendly campsite.
Lone Rock Beach Campground
Lone Rock Beach campground was the perfect playground for kids AND adults. After my icy morning dip, I’d do a workout on the beach followed catching up on stuff – work, organization, fixing the RV, adding in solar panels, relaxing, and playing.
The evenings were spent playing cards and chatting around a campfire. Isn’t that bliss?
What added to the bliss was that the girls had friends to play with.
We had pretend weddings, 24 hour tent challenges and sleep overs.
It was off the grid though,not completely free. There was a fee as we were camping in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. But it was only $14 a night.
Drive up and find your perfect spot on the beach. It’s first come first served. There are no amenities here – just portable toilets – so you’ll need to be prepared.
There is a dump station on the way into Lone Rock Beach campground. The views as you come in from there are sensational!
Arrive during the day so you can be sure you find a good spot and set up in an area that is not too soft. It gets very dark here which makes it tough to set up and see what you are doing.
Things to do near Lone Rock Beach, Lake Powell
We stayed in Glen Canyon Recreation Area for 5 nights, which gave us time to do some of the nearby attractions. There is a lot more to do in the area.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
We were debating whether to go to Antelope Canyon as we heard people say it was overrated. They complained about the crowds and having to wait in a line just to take a photo.
I’m so glad we decided to go. It was awesome and unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
There’s a tiny crack in the ground and below is this wonderful slot canyon that changes color throughout the day thanks to the light filtering in through the narrow opening.
It was busy, although not busy season. We had plenty of time to wander the 430 meter path through the canyon taking photographs and marveling at the smooth polished rock that appeared as red, orange, yellow and purple for us.
We highly recommend it! Read our full review of the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon here.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
You’ve probably seen plenty of images of this famous bend in the Colorado River as it winds through Page in Arizona.
I loved the emerald green of the river below and we saw many boats cruising by. It was spectacular and you only need a short amount of time there.
We were quite taken aback by the number of people going close to the edge for photos in Horseshoe Bend. PLEASE don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Anything can happen in a split second and too many people have been falling off cliff edges dying recently.
There is no photo or number of likes worth it.
My heart was dying watching a young boy walking tentatively towards the edge braving himself to go forward. I’m not sure where his parents were but I took on the village raises the child thing and told him to come on back that it was too dangerous for him to do that.
It makes my stomach turn watching it. Read our full review of Horseshoe Bend with tips
Glen Canyon Dam
It’s worth stopping off to the Glen Canyon Dam.
The visitor center there is free and there is a small museum to learn more about the construction of the dam and the importance of water.
Glen Canyon Recreation Area would have cost us $30 for a 7-day pass. We have a National Parks Pass which gives unlimited access to federal lands. It costs $80 a year. It’s absolutely worth it for a trip like ours and saves us hundreds of dollars.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Glen Canyon
Sadly, we did not get time to do Rainbow Bridge, but it is high on my Utah bucket list for when we return.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument is the tallest natural bridge in the world. It is roughly the sixth longest and a popular thing to do in Utah for those who want to go off the beaten path.
It’s a scared bridge of the Navajo culture for its symbol of deities responsible for creating clouds, rainbows and rain – the essence of life in the desert.
The bridge can be reached by boat (50 miles) and then an easy 0.75-mile trail up the twisting canyon to a spectacular overlook near the bridge Intrepid travelers can hike strenuous backcountry trails (17 miles) from Navajo Mountain.
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Best of Utah Tips
Tips for road tripping through Utah and a few itinerary ideas.
- 20 Incredible Places to visit in Utah on your road trip
- 14 Epic Adventures in the American Southwest
- 13 Places to see in Utah that no one tells you about
- 45 Unique and Fun things to do in Utah
I can’t believe you post drone photos and video online, flying your drone in a National Park unit, which is illegal, as I’m sure you know! Several other content creators were stupid enough to post their illegal activities, and paid huge fines. Why do you think it’s OK for you to break the rules? I wanted to put my drone up so badly when I was there, but did not because it is illegal. I am now deciding if I am going to send your blog link to the National Park Service.
Hi Dan, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I can assure you we don’t intentionally break rules and are very mindful and respectful of following park guidelines. I should have been more diligent and looked into this more thoroughly at the time of our visit several years ago thinking we were not inside a National Park with Lone Rock Campground being so primitive, but I now realize we were in a National Recreation Area. I have removed the drone photo and drone video footage. There is still one photo that is elevated at a distance, but I climbed up to the top of the cliff with my DSLR to take that. If you look across our site and YouTube videos, there is not one other instance where we have flown within a National Park or Recreation area, and I regret this error. Thanks, Craig.
Come on Dan- it’s people like you that ruin it for the rest of us
NOT!! Follow tge rules and quit being a selfish p ..erson. Rules are there to protect the park.
Crybaby!
I was there last month , and I saw a drone flying around.