Big Water connects local history and the history of the Earth with its location on Lake Powell. The Visitor Center, the drive to Alstrom Point, lake access at Lone Rock Beach, the Wiregrass Canyon Trail, and the night sky each offer a different focus. Together, they span topics from regional geology to the visibility of stars and galaxies.
Geology, Paleontology, and Local History
Geology and paleontology are the focus at the Big Water Visitor Center Museum; the Visitor Center highlights early discoveries in these fields in the region. A wall mural spanning the full length of the room depicts the landscape of the Late Cretaceous. This combination brings together regional discoveries and a large-scale visual depiction of a clearly defined period in Earth’s history. Travelers interested in natural and cultural history can consider the Visitor Center as a thematic focus when planning their trip.
The town also has an earlier name: Big Water was originally known as “Glen Canyon City.”
The Drive to Alstrom Point
The 46-mile (74 km) drive to Alstrom Point offers panoramic views of the ever-changing canyons of Lake Powell. From Big Water, the route follows Ethan Allen Road and then Smokey Mountain/Croton Road (Route 230). The road names make the route specific, while the panoramic views are also part of the character of the drive. This gives you a sense of the trip both through its route and its scenery.
Lake Powell: Access and Activities
Lake Powell borders Big Water. Access to the lake is available at Lone Rock Beach, two miles south of town on U.S. Highway 89; the route to the water is mostly over sandy roads or the beach. Distance and access type are different planning details: one situates Lone Rock Beach, while the other describes the way to the water. Keep both in mind when planning this excursion.
Lone Rock Beach Campground is also two miles south of Big Water. Activities there include swimming, motorized and human-powered boating, and a designated ATV area. Since nearby facilities and conditions can change, check current conditions before your visit.
Trail and Night Sky
The Wiregrass Canyon Trail runs through a sandy wash and requires climbing and detours. Compared with the drive to Alstrom Point, the focus shifts from the route and panoramic views to the terrain and the passages required. If you’re weighing the two outings, they offer different kinds of excursions.
Local ordinances protecting the night sky help make bright stars and galaxies clearly visible in Big Water. If the sky after dark is also a consideration when choosing a destination, it offers a distinct focus alongside the geological topics and excursions around Lake Powell.
These local highlights offer different points of reference for deciding which activities to include in your plans.
Discover more destinations: Orderville, Duck Creek Village, Kanab.
For the broader travel overview: Kane County.
