LAST UPDATED: 7/24/26 – Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon Guide

This post on what you need to know to reach Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon contains references to products on my Amazon Store site.  I may receive a commission when you purchase these products from my store, though at no additional cost to you.   I hand-pick and recommend only the products that I am either familiar with or comfortable recommending.

The American Southwest is filled with breathtaking landscapes, yet few match the grandeur of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Anchored by Lake Powell, the nation’s second-largest manmade lake, it’s celebrated as one of North America’s premier boating destinations. Most visitors come for the water and beaches, but the area’s most stunning viewpoint lies far from the shoreline. On a cape stretching between Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay sits the iconic Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon.

One of Lake Powell’s Most Beautiful Viewpoints

From Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, the panorama sweeps across Lake Powell’s maze of finger-like canyons. Hoodoo rock formations rise dramatically above the water, and at sunset the entire scene glows in warm light, creating one of the Southwest’s most unforgettable vistas.

Part of its magic is solitude. Despite its beauty, Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon sees few crowds because reaching it requires effort. For those willing to make the journey, the reward is a view that captures the essence of Glen Canyon’s wild, unspoiled character.

Alstrom Point Guide Navigation Menu

What to Know Before Visiting Alstrom Point

Before you set off to see Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, you need to make sure that you are prepared. Although Alstrom Point is one of the prettiest viewpoints in Glen Canyon, it is far from the easiest to get to. For a large stretch of the drive from Page, Arizona, you will be on a rough, unimproved road. You need to make sure you have the right vehicle and a plan in place. You also need to be prepared in case you do get stuck or run into an emergency.

A High Clearance 4WD Vehicle is Needed to Visit Alstrom Point

You will need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Believe me, you will not make it to Alstrom Point without 4WD. Even with 4WD, you may bottom out in certain areas without high clearance, so I recommend using caution if your vehicle lacks high clearance. Ideally, your vehicle should have at least 10 inches of clearance to be safe.

Make Sure Someone Knows Your Plan

Make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you plan on returning. There is spotty cell phone reception at Alstrom Point, so don’t count on being able to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Should you have vehicle issues, you will want to have someone who knows where you are if you get stuck. If you have a GPS device, such as a Garmin inReach device, I strongly recommend bringing it.

How to Get There

Alstrom Point is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah. While the viewpoint is in Utah, one of the closest cities to the viewpoint is the city of Page in Northern Arizona.

The city is popular with outdoor enthusiasts because it is home to the largest marina on Lake Powell. The Wahweap Marina is where many of the Lake Powell and Glen Canyon tours originate. It is also where many visitors launch their boats.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Map

Page, Arizona, is also in very close proximity to other popular attractions such as Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I cover both of these attractions later in this guide if you would like to see them. It is also in fairly close proximity to Monument Valley in the East. And if you continue further up Highway 163 North, you will head in the direction of Moab, Utah, and its parks.

If you head up Highway 89 North towards Big Water, you will get to the Alstrom Point turn-off. If you continue up Highway 89, you will get to Kanab, Utah. The city of Kanab is another popular outdoor adventure hub near several other attractions. These include the Red Canyon Slot and the Wave. Further up Highway 89 past Kanab, you will eventually reach the Bryce Canyon National Park area.

How to Get to Alstrom Point Map

To get to Alstrom Point from Page, Arizona, you will want to follow these directions:

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When to Visit Alstrom Point

Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon is worth visiting year-round, but weather makes some seasons better than others.

From June through September, daytime heat and hot nights make Southern Utah and Northern Arizona uncomfortable for camping. August through October also bring the year’s highest rainfall, leaving the unimproved road to Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon muddy and often impassable.

The best time to visit Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon is spring, March through May, when temperatures are mild, rainfall is low, and crowds have yet to arrive.

Average Temperature at Alstrom Point (°F)

For more information on the average temperatures in Page, Arizona, throughout the year, I have included a chart for you to review in my Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon guide below.

Average Precipitation at Alstrom Point (Inches)

For those who are starting to plan their trip to see Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon and would like to maximize their chances of having nice weather while there, I have included a chart that outlines the average amount of precipitation in the Page, Arizona area for you to review below.

Where to Stay

If you’re visiting Page, Arizona to see Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, one key decision is where to stay. Campers can set up right at Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, provided they follow National Park Service rules for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

For those who prefer comfort, Page offers plenty of hotels at various price points. Below, you’ll find recommendations for both camping and hotel stays to help plan your visit.

Camping at Alstrom Point

This is especially true when visiting Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon. One of the best times to visit the viewpoint is at sunset. During the peak golden hour in the evening, the sunsets at Alstrom Point paint the canyon brilliant warm colors, and the reflections off the water are simply breathtaking.

Because the drive into Alstrom Point on the unimproved road is so difficult, it is not recommended to drive there after dark. This makes camping overnight near the Alstrom Point viewpoint after taking your sunset pictures the ideal way to visit.

Guidelines for Backcountry Camping

Here are the general guidelines for Land-based Backcountry Camping in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This includes the area near Alstrom Point.

• Dispersed camping is not allowed near developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads (none of these apply to the area around Alstrom Point).
• Practice “Leave No Trace”. This is essential. All trash must be carried out, and this includes human waste.
• All human body waste solids shall be contained and carried out using a portable toilet or a specifically engineered bag waste containment system.
• Group size for hiking and/or camping should not exceed 12 people and 3 vehicles. Groups greater than 12 people shall split into groups of 12 or fewer, and camp at least 1/2 mile apart.

Recommended Hotels in Page, Arizona

If camping is not your speed, you need not worry, as there are a variety of good hotels for you to choose from in the area as well.  In fact, the city of Page, Arizona has a wealth of reasonably priced hotel options for you to choose from.

If you are in the process of planning your trip to Page to see Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, then you are in luck. I have included a map and list of recommended hotels at different price points for you to review in my guide below.

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Other Things to See in the Area

In addition to Alstrom Point, there is a wealth of other incredible things to see in the Page, Arizona area. If you are putting together your itinerary and need some additional ideas, I have you covered. Here are some additional sights that I would recommend seeing while visiting Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon. Of course, this is far from all there is to see in the area, but these are the top sights I recommend.

Horseshoe Bend

I still can’t believe that Horseshoe Bend used to be an obscure, unmarked pullout on the side of the highway with a gravel path. Today, there is a paved parking lot and walking path with shaded benches because of how popular this spot has become. If you’d like to see this iconic viewpoint during your visit, please see my visitor guide below for more details.

Antelope Canyon

With the invention of Instagram, this iconic slot canyon quickly became all the rage with social media influencers. When I visited this canyon more than 15 years ago, there were very few people on our tour.

Today, the tours for this canyon sell out well in advance. If you want to learn more about this incredible place, check out my Antelope Canyon visitor guide below.

Waterhole Canyon

If you want to visit a beautiful slot canyon but aren’t able to find an open tour for Antelope Canyon, then Waterhole Canyon is a great alternative. Although it doesn’t get the famous light beams that Antelope Canyon gets, it is every bit as beautiful as its sister canyon and is much longer as well. For more information on how to view the Waterhole Canyon, check out my Waterhole Canyon visitor guide below.

Activities in the Area

There are a lot of beautiful and amazing things to see in the Page, Arizona area, but there are also a lot of really fun activities that you can do during your visit as well. If you are starting to plan your trip and are looking for some fun activities to enjoy while you are in the area, I have included some suggestions for you to review in my guide below.

Alstrom Point Photo Gallery

Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon is renowned for being one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the American Southwest. I was lucky enough to be able to get there and capture some great photographs. If you would like to see some other pictures I took while visiting, I have included a gallery below.

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