Complete Guide to Visiting Alstrom Point Utah
Alstrom Point was one of the highlights of my 2-week road trip through the Southwest. Perched atop towering cliffs overlooking the surrounding area, this remote viewpoint offers unrivaled views over Lake Powell and the rugged desert landscape. The beauty of Alstrom Point’s panoramic vistas is almost matched by the adventure of the road to reach it! This makes Alstrom Point the ideal trip for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts seeking the rawness of the American Southwest!
Having braved the road myself and stayed deep into the night, this guide will cover everything you need to know to visit Alstrom Point Utah.
About Alstrom Point
Alstrom Point sits above the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah, a region shaped by millions of years of geological activity.
The area’s stunning rock formations and mesas are predominantly composed of sandstone, shaped by the erosive forces of wind and water over millennia. These geological processes have created the dramatic cliffs and canyons that characterise the landscape around Alstrom Point.
How to get to Alstrom Point Utah?
The easiest way to reach Alstrom Point is via the rugged 25-mile dirt road from Big Water that leads up there. These roads are part of a larger network of dirt roads spanning the whole area.
Directions from the nearest town of Page, Arizona:
- Head east on Highway 98.
- After approximately 15 miles, turn left onto Big Water Road (Highway 89).
- Continue on Big Water Road for around 12 miles until you reach Cottonwood Canyon Road.
- Turn right onto Cottonwood Canyon Road and follow it for 14 miles until you reach the intersection with Yellow Rock Road.
- Turn right and continue for another 10 miles.
- At the junction turn left and follow for 5 miles until reaching the final turnoff for Alstrom Point.
I did this journey in a 2WD Nissan Kicks (which was a bit hairy), but check out whether you need a 4×4 below.
When to visit Alstrom Point? Sunrise or sunset?
Alstrom Point is renowned for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets! Golden hour and blue hour are without doubt the prettiest times to visit, but which is better?
Sunset at Alstrom Point means that the sun sets behind you when looking out over Lake Powell. This means that the rocks in front of you are illuminated and glow a beautiful red colour. Staying for sunset will mean that you will often drive back in the dark or camp overnight.
Sunrise at Alstrom Point means that the sun rises in front of you. This will give a beautiful orange glow in the sky, but mean some of the rocks are in shadow. Staying for sunrise will either mean camping the night before or driving in the dark.
Both options are great, but I highly recommend a sunset visit above others.
If you decide to camp overnight, you can see both!
What to expect when visiting Alstrom Point Utah?
Driving to Alstrom Point Utah
The drive to Alstrom Point is an adventure in itself!
The Alstrom Point road conditions are rugged dirt tracks for the majority of the route. In dry weather, the roads are driveable, whilst wet weather can make the route nearly impassable even.
As you leave the tarmac roads of Big Water, you will cross a small stream and begin the dirt tracks. It’s predominantly gravel for the first few miles where you can pick up some reasonable speed.
The road follows the terrain, with a few undulating sections and bends as it weaves towards the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
There aren’t many pull-ins, but the road is quiet making it easy to stop for photos.
Further into the road, there are more sections with boulders, potholes and increasing unevenness. This requires careful navigation, particularly without a 4×4. You may also see where the road has previously been wet and boggy.
Interspersed with these tricky rock sections are more sandy sections. The sand is thin so you want to avoid digging in. There are shrubs at the side of the road and occasionally in the middle in the form of tumbleweed…
The road gets thinner, with some parts only large enough for one car. Thankfully we didn’t come across anyone coming in the opposite direction.
On the bends, we coined the ‘side-winder’ maneuver where we avoided the deeper sand and used the bends and slope at the edge of the track to follow the road and keep momentum. At some points, it felt like we were driving almost sideways!
Eventually, we reached the canyon of Lake Powell approximately 2 miles before the end of the road.
Hiking to Alstrom Point
If, like me, you don’t have a 4×4, you might struggle with the last couple of miles up to the viewpoint.
But worry not, it’s perfectly walkable!
Like a handful of other ‘less-able’ vehicles, we parked just before the road worsened and walked the rest.
The walk follows the Alstrom Point trail for approximately 2 miles until reaching Alstrom Point. It takes around 40 minutes, though it can be done faster if you’re in a rush! There’s a small amount of elevation, but it’s minimal.
It’s easiest to follow the road as there aren’t many options to cut corners given the huge canyon beside you!
Alstrom Point Map
The entire route to Alstrom Point from Big Water can be found here. Driving is the easiest option but you could also cycle!
Overall
I recommend giving yourself at least 4 hours to visit Alstrom Point.
You should expect the drive to Alstrom Point to take around 1.5 hours. If you decide to hike the last section, add an additional 30/40 minutes of travel time. Depending on the light, I recommend an hour to sit back and enjoy the postcard-worthy views before turning back.
Of course, if you’re camping you are less restricted by time and have the freedom to explore more!
You can walk around the edge of the canyon to find a spot you like, then cook dinner and watch the stars come out!
Camping at Alstrom Point
Lots of people ask whether you are allowed to camp at Alstrom Point. Put simply, yes you can camp at Alstrom Point.
Wild camping at Alstrom Point is a popular choice. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wake up at a peaceful viewpoint with spectacular views? Plus it helps you avoid driving that gnarly road in the dark.
It’s free, no permits are required and there’s plenty of space. Most people who drive to Alstrom Point have vehicles that can handle the offroad meaning there’s freedom to drive around and choose a spot with a good view!
The ground is mainly rock, meaning tents are difficult to pitch. Therefore, RVs or cars with built-in beds are the best option here. There are no facilities here meaning most people only stay for one night and you’ll need to bring all your food, water and supplies!
Just remember to take everything with you when you leave!
FAQs
Do you need a 4×4 to get to Alstrom Point?
This is by far the most common question asked about Alstrom Point. And it’s a fair question given the road conditions!
In theory, it’s recommended that you have a 4WD car to get to Alstrom Point. In practice, I did it in a 2WD vehicle with reasonably high clearance. A trusty Nissan Kicks to be exact!
The drive was sketchy in some places, but it’s doable if you are reasonably skilled behind the wheel. High clearance is the real must-have here.
The only section where I’d highly recommend a 4×4 is for the last two miles. At this point, there is a steep section with jagged rocks which feels properly off-road! Sat in our 2WD, we looked at it, laughed and then grabbed our hiking gear!
Where is the best spot at Alstrom Point?
Once you reach the end of the road at Alstrom Point, it isn’t clear where the best viewing spot is (though you can’t go much wrong).
After wandering around the edge of the canyon, we settled at the exact spot marked by Google Maps (nearly)! It’s the closest point to the water and aligns nicely with the mountain behind for photos. It’s also one of the highest points in the area so you have a 360-degree view of everything.
Is Alstrom Point worth it?
Personally, Alstrom Point is well worth the visit. It’s probably the best view of Lake Powell that you will find (perhaps besides jet-skiing through it). Overlooking its shimmering azure waters, it looks almost glassy from the angle from above.
Plus the adventure to get there, knowing that only a handful of people make the journey, makes it even more rewarding!
However, I don’t think it’s worth the price that tour companies charge for the visit. A morning tour for $400 or a sunset tour for $500 seems way too much. But, if you’re not comfortable driving the gravel roads, it’s probably your only option.
Are drones allowed at Alstrom Point?
Unfortunately, drones are not allowed at Alstrom Point because it’s located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Even though you could probably get away with it due to the lack of people around 😉, you should respect the rules and anyone around.
People visit here for peace and solitude, and a drone is the opposite of that.
If you do decide to fly, there are the occasional tour groups as well as rangers, that drive through. They may tell you to stop if you’re caught.
How many people visit Alstrom Point each day?
Alstrom Point remains relatively secluded compared to more accessible attractions in the area. On average, the site sees a moderate number of visitors each day, ranging from a handful to a few dozen, depending on the season and weather conditions. Despite its popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, its remote location and the rugged terrain required to reach it limit the number of daily visitors, preserving its tranquil ambiance and pristine wilderness.
During my visit for sunset in March, I counted 7 other vehicles up by the viewpoint.
For the most part, you are isolated with limited phone signal
Tips for visiting Alstrom Point
- Safety at Alstrom Point
- Don’t go too close to the edge
- Bring a SatPhone
- Tell your friends where you are going beforehand because there’s unreliable service (I had next to nothing for the entire drive with Verizon)
- Bring enough water and snacks (and firewood if camping)
- Driving to Alstrom Point
- Be aware of the route you come in on, as it doesn’t look the same on the way back!
- Don’t drive when wet
- Put your handbrake on your car! You don’t want it rolling off the cliff!
- Know the limits of your car and your driving ability.
- Photographing Alstrom Point
- Bring a tripod
- Play with angles
- Take your time and watch the light change
What else to do nearby
Utah and Arizona are home to a huge array of insane natural landscapes. It can actually be a bit overwhelming trying to decide between them all! Below are some of the other popular activities nearby:
- The Wave (Coyotte Buttes)
- Horseshoe Bend
- Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower)
- Toadstool Hoodoos
- Lake Powell
- Lone Rock Beach
- White Pocket
- Old Paria Mesa
On the day I visited Alstrom Point, I went to Horseshoe Bend in the early morning, followed by Toadstool Hoodoos before venturing to Alstrom Point for an epic sunset.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my travel guide on visiting Alstrom Point Utah. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
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Happy travelling!
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