National Park Service Warns of Quicksand In Northern Arizona
Arizona — Officials at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are warning visitors about the potential presence of quicksand near shorelines and drainage areas throughout the park.
Park staff say quicksand can appear dry and solid on the surface but may suddenly give way when stepped on. Areas with unstable, shifting or unusually soft ground can indicate hazardous conditions.
The warning applies to locations across the recreation area, including popular shoreline access points and drainage channels that feed into Lake Powell and surrounding waterways.
Visitors are urged to use caution when traveling near these areas and to be alert for signs of unstable ground. More information about quicksand hazards and safety tips for Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge National Monument is available through the National Park Service.
How to Recognize Possible Quicksand
Wet, loose, or unusually smooth ground
Flattened, uniform, or freshly leveled surfaces may indicate soft or saturated sediment beneath a thin surface layer.
Unexpected water seepage or pooling
Slow upward seepage or water collecting in isolated spots can signal unstable, water-saturated ground.
Shifting, rippling, or vibrating soil
When stepped near (not on), the ground may move, ripple, or subtly vibrate, indicating insufficient support below the surface.
Dry-looking surfaces that feel soft or spongy
Even with a dry crust, quicksand may compress noticeably under light pressure. Always test from a secure position using a tool, never with your full weight.
Depressions or saturated low spots
Drainages, low areas, and freshly exposed shoreline zones can hold fine sediment mixed with water, making them prone to becoming unstable.
Fine sediment mixed with water
Silt, clay, and very fine sand, especially following storms or rapid water-level changes, can create conditions where ground appears normal but is structurally weak underneath.
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