Alstrom Point

Alstrom Point is the view of Lake Powell you have probably seen on a postcard: Gunsight Butte rising out of turquoise water, with Padre Bay and Navajo Mountain behind it, all seen from the top of a cliff about a thousand feet above the lake. Getting there takes a long, rough drive, which is why so few people do it.

Where Alstrom Point Is

Alstrom Point sits on the Utah side of Lake Powell inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, above Gunsight Bay. The drive starts in the small town of Big Water, Utah, about 15 miles northwest of Page on U.S. Highway 89.

The Road

• It is roughly 25 miles of dirt and rock from Big Water, and most people take one and a half to two hours each way.
• The first miles are graded dirt. The last few miles cross slickrock ledges, and a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to reach the end. Lower vehicles often park about a mile out and walk the rest.
• The clay roads turn impassable when wet. Do not go after rain or with storms in the forecast.
• There are no services, no water and spotty cell signal. Tell someone where you are going, and carry extra water and a spare tire.
• Rental car contracts usually do not allow this kind of road.

When to Go

Sunrise and sunset are the classic times, when the buttes light up red and the lake turns glassy. Many photographers camp at the point to catch both. At about 4,600 feet it is often free of snow in winter, and spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days are very hot with no shade.

See It From the Water Instead

You cannot hike up to Alstrom Point from the lake, but you can ride right into the scene. On a jet ski or boat, Gunsight Bay, Gunsight Butte and the coves of Padre Bay are a full-day ride from the south end of the lake, with sandy beaches for a swim and lunch. Add Labyrinth Canyon on the way. See our jet ski routes for ideas.

Nearby

• Things to Do in Page, Arizona
• Lone Rock Beach
• Warm Creek Bay
• Day Trips from Lake Powell