HALLS CROSSING, San Juan County — A popular ferry that significantly cuts travel time between two major Lake Powell destinations is set to make its long-awaited return just in time for Independence Day on July 4th.
of Charles Hall Ferry The buses will begin operating again Thursday between Halls Crossing and Bullfrog in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, according to National Park Service and Utah Department of Transportation officials.
UDOT District 4 spokesman Kevin Kitchen told KSL.com on Wednesday that the ferry will operate four trips every Thursday and Friday over the next few weeks to make sure everything is running smoothly. The plan is to then expand service to Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. A “limited” schedule may be in place beyond that, depending on water conditions and customer demand.
“After a three-year hiatus, Lake Powell’s water levels are once again able to accommodate the ferry loading ramp, and we are excited to work with our partners to once again provide ferry service to our many visitors,” Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Michelle Karns said in a statement Tuesday.
After Lake Powell’s water levels began to rise in the 1960s, a ferry was introduced in the 1980s as a way to significantly reduce travel time between Halls Crossing and Bullfrog. Although the two communities are geographically separated by just over 25 miles, traveling by car requires a detour around the massive reservoir.
The trip usually takes about two hours, but the ferry takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Kitchen explains that the service has become popular, attracting not only drivers, but also cyclists and pedestrians who like to get from one side of Lake Powell to the other. Some freight services also use the ferry to shorten travel times.
But that all came to an end in July 2021 when drought and overconsumption caused Lake Powell’s water levels to drop dramatically, rendering the ferry unable to operate. Kitchen explained that UDOT had been tracking the reservoir’s declining water levels in the years leading up to the closures and had been extending or modifying ramps, but had failed to keep up with the falling water levels.
“With a ship this big, if you’re not careful, you can run into problems,” he said. “We had to stop operations for safety reasons and to make sure the ship was OK. … The water level was much lower than we expected.”
UDOT has been working on improving its ferry system for the past three years, including renovating and retrofitting ferries to handle the situation, but it took increased water flowing into Lake Powell for the ferries to be able to operate again.
The reservoir fell below 3,522 feet above sea level by February 2023, the lowest point since it was filled to “full” level in 1980. After two consecutive high snow seasons in the Colorado River Basin, it has now recovered to just over 3,586 feet above sea level.
Additionally, Utah and other states in the Colorado River Basin have agreed to an interim plan to reduce consumption from the Colorado River system and are working on a long-term plan to replenish both Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
“Water is the main culprit here,” Kitchen said. “Last year’s storm was just incredible.”
He added that he expects the ferry’s return will be a welcome success. Since the service was suspended, UDOT has received numerous emails and calls inquiring about the ferry, many from outside Utah and the U.S., asking whether the ferry will be available by the time they visit the area.
According to the UDOT website, the ferry, operated by Aramark Lake Powell Resort & Marina, departs Halls Crossing at 10 a.m. on operating days. It then travels between Halls Crossing and Bullfrog hourly, with the last trip leaving Bullfrog after 5 p.m.
Tolls are $10 for pedestrians and bicycles, $15 for motorcycles, and $25 for most vehicles. Vehicles over 20 feet in length are subject to an additional $1.50 per foot of vehicle length. All payments must be made in cash.
The ferry’s schedule beyond this summer will ultimately be determined by water levels and travel demand. If the water level falls below 3,575 feet above sea level, about 11 feet lower than current levels, the ferry will not operate.
“This is great,” Kitchen said. “If the water levels hold up, we’re hopeful we’ll be able to do this (Thursday through Sunday) and then expand it to other days of the week.”