Bullfrog Marina sits on the upper basin of Lake Powell, on the north side of the lake at the end of UT-276 in eastern Garfield County. From St. George it is roughly five hours one way via Cedar City and Hanksville; from Kanab it is four. Bullfrog is the upper-basin counterpart to Wahweap on the south end — fewer crowds, deeper into Glen Canyon’s geography, closer to the slot-canyon tributaries that drain off the Henry Mountains and the Red Bench country.
Smallmouth in the Rocky Upper Canyons
The upper basin fishes differently than the south end. Smallmouth bass are the headline here, working the rocky points and the broken cliff faces that line the upper canyons. Striped bass are present but less concentrated; walleye are caught more often on the upper-basin gravel benches than around Wahweap. Reciprocal Utah/Arizona licensing applies, and the Glen Canyon NRA fishing page is the canonical rules source. Spring (April into June) is the local-favorite window for smallmouth pre-spawn; fall is the second window once water cools again.
The Long-Cruise Houseboat Base
Bullfrog is the standard launch for houseboaters who want the upper-basin geography — the long side canyons (Escalante arm, Hite arm in higher water years), the slot canyons that drain off the surrounding plateau, the quieter overnight anchorages further from the south-end traffic. The concessioner operates houseboat rentals here as at Wahweap. The Halls Crossing ferry service across the lake to Halls Crossing on the south side has run intermittently — when operating, it is a one-vehicle ferry that crosses the lake on a posted schedule, dramatically shortening the drive between the two basins. When suspended, drivers must go around through Hanksville.
License, Fees, Practical Bits
The Utah fishing license rule applies for anyone twelve or older, with the Arizona reciprocal agreement allowing either state’s license. The Glen Canyon NRA entrance fee applies separately. Marina launch fees are separate again. Hanksville is the closest full-supply town — fuel, groceries, the famous Hollow Mountain gas station — and Ticaboo is the small community at the marina turnoff. Cell service is gone past Hanksville; satellite communication is the reliable backup for extended trips.
Bullfrog Inside the 435
Bullfrog is technically outside the 435 area code (Garfield County’s eastern reach) but it is the upper-basin Lake Powell access that 435 anglers and houseboaters use whenever they want to fish or cruise the upper canyons. Together with Wahweap on the south end and the now-mostly-historical Hite Marina on the upper Colorado, Bullfrog completes the Glen Canyon NRA’s marina inventory. For 435 visitors specifically, Bullfrog is the longer drive but the quieter water.