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Destination Lake Powell

Lake Powell Map
Photo Tour

Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is one of the world's great places for houseboating! The 186-mile long lake offers sandy beaches, cool blue water, and exceptional red-rock scenery. It is excellent for boating, skiing, kayaking and fishing. Boat or hike to Rainbow Bridge, or explore any of its many canyons or sand dunes. With a shoreline longer than the whole western coast of the continental United States, Lake Powell offers adventure for everyone. Whether you enter from Utah's marinas, or from Page, Arizona, Lake Powell awaits. Try something different this summer; try a house boat vacation!

Lake Powell Houseboat rentals are available through Aramark at Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas and Forever Houseboats at Antelope Point. The only other way to enjoy a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell is to a purchase a multi-owner ownership.


Top 10 Things To Do in Destination Lake Powell
1 Rainbow Bridge - Boat to this remarkable site - the largest natural bridge in the world - using your own boat, a rental, or jump on the tour boat.
2 Dam and Visitor Center - Peer over the edge of the dam at the river far below, and tour the adjacent visitor center.
3 Tour Boat - Take a half-day or full-day tour of some of the most scenic parts of Lake Powell.
4 Houseboat - Explore the lake in style (air conditioning, microwave, VCR), sleeping in soft beds. Watch our short video clip showing the houseboat experience.
5 Ski or Wake Board - Hit the big bays first thing in the morning, while the water is glassy.
6 Remote Canyons - Explore the lake’s distant canyons (Escalante and San Juan arms). Camp on the beach and enjoy solitude under the stars.
7 John Wesley Powell Museum - Learn about Glen Canyon, before and after the lake, and about the early exploration of this area.
8 Fish - Catch smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, catfish, crappie and bluegill in the lake’s canyons and bays.
9 Hike - Challenge difficult routes like West Canyon or the White Canyon hikes, or enjoy more leisurely strolls along the beaches and into side canyons.
10 Sea Kayak - Explore the lake’s twisting canyons from a canoe or kayak.

Attractions & Activities

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which includes the Colorado River corridor through Glen Canyon, the lower Escalante canyons, the lower San Juan River area, the lower Dirty Devil River area and the Orange Cliffs area adjacent to Canyonlands National Park. Much of this country was virtually inaccessible before the lake. The Orange Cliffs and other areas away from the lake still rank among the most remote spots within the continental United States.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Rainbow Bridge is the largest natural bridge in the world. Carved from a fin of red Navajo Sandstone, the bridge is 290 feet tall and 270 feet across. It is considered sacred in Navajo culture as a symbol of deities responsible for creating clouds, rainbows and rain

Glen Canyon Dam
Construction of the 587-foot dam began in 1956 and was completed in 1963. It took 17 years before reaching "full pool" in 1980. Free guided tours are provided of the dam and power plant. For more information, contact the Carl Hayden Visitors Center: (520) 608-6404

Page City
Page is a small town with big attitude. It is the gateway to Wahweap and the lower lake, and offers a full range of services plus great desert golf.

Glen Canyon Bridge
At 700 feet above the Colorado River, this is the second-highest steel-arch bridge in the world

Indian Ruins
Still standing from the ancient workmanship of the Anasazi are small homes, buildings and rock art. Hike and visit the remarkable restored ruins and rock art at Defiance House in Forgotten Canyon, or the amazing Three Roof Ruins built on a cliff along the lake's Escalante arm. Ruins are located in several other canyons so keep your eyes open as you explore the lake.

Cathedral in the Desert
The Cathedral has become an icon for people who love Glen Canyon. They describe it as one of the world's great treasures, a place so beautiful and serene it has a spiritual transcendence. A paradise lost beneath the waters of Lake Powell. It partially re-emerged in spring 2005, when drought dropped the lake level, but it is now covered again by water.


Outdoor Rec. & Resorts

Water-skiing/Wakeboarding
The water is the place to be! Nothing beats skiing calm water against tall red canyons. Conditions are also perfect for wakeboard enthusiasts.

Sea Kayaking
Narrow canyons, spectacular alcoves and ancient Anasazi ruins are only a few of the wonders offered by the experience of sea kayaking.

Boat Camping
Boat camping is available to anyone that pays the entrance fee into the National Recreation Area. Boat campers must have their own toilet facilities. Developed public campgrounds are located at each marina, and elsewhere on the lake. There is a fee to stay at developed campgrounds. Campfires are permitted but all ashes and refuse must be carried out.

Fishing
Fishing is permitted year round, both on the lake and at fishing stations. With the wide variety of stripped bass, large and small bass, rainbow trout and many others you're sure to land a good catch. A fishing license is required you may click here to purchase one ahead of time.

Hiking
Go for a hike up beautiful West Canyon, and visit some of the most amazing slot canyons at Lake Powell. Hiking is permitted throughout the Lake Powell region. For maps and suggestions, visit the Utah Store.


Lake Powell Marinas

There are six marinas on Lake Powell. Wahweap and Bullfrog have the greatest concentration of public services, including nearby communities offering additional lodging and services.

Wahweap, near the Glen Canyon Dam and approximately 6 miles from Page AZ, is Lake Powell's largest marina. This marina provides the following services to the public: ranger station, drinking water, restrooms, restaurant, hotel, boat slips, boat rental and repair pump stations, picnic area, campground, trailers, fishing stations, fish cleaning stations, gift shop, marina grocery store, gas station, 6 lane launching ramps.

Bullfrog is next in size and is located about 95 miles up lake from the Glen canyon Dam. Nearest city is Ticaboo (about 15 miles away). Bullfrog provides the following services to the pubic: drinking water, restrooms, hotel, boat slips, pump stations, picnic area, campground, trailers, fishing stations, fish cleaning stations, gift shop, marina grocery store, gas station, 6 lane launching ramps.

Halls Crossing is across the lake from Bullfrog, on the east side of the lake, approximately 95 miles up lake from Glen Canyon Dam. Its public services include: drinking water, restrooms, boat slips, pump stations, picnic area, campground, family units, marina grocery store, gas stations, launching ramps.

Hite is located at the upper most part of the lake, 139 miles up lake from Glen Canyon Dam, and is accessible from Utah route 95. The paved launch ramp is closed and there are no on-water services because the lake level is too low. When the lake is at or above 3606 feet, smaller boats can launch on an old road bed. Check the water level before coming. The campground is open (undeveloped) and there is a gas station/convenience store nearby where you can get water and supplies.

Dangling Rope is only accessible from the lake, about 40 miles up lake from Glen Canyon Dam. Amenities include: gas station, marina grocery store and restrooms.

Antelope Point is the newest marina access to the lake. The services include: launching ramp, houseboat and powerboat rentals, fuel dock and convenience store.


Lodging

Houseboats - weeks available for purchase
Houseboats - weeks available to rent

Wahweap Marina:
Wahweap Lodge
Page, AZ - 5 miles
Big Water, UT - 7 miles
Kanab, UT - 57 miles
Bullfrog Marina:
Defiance House Lodge
Family Units at marina
Ticaboo, UT - 15 miles
Hanksville, UT - 67 miles
Hite Marina:
Family Units at marina
Hanksville, UT - 50 miles

Halls Crossing:
Family Units at marina
Ticaboo, UT - 15 miles
Hanksville, UT - 72 miles

Antelope Point:
No lodging

Dangling Rope:
No Lodging

Related Articles

Read articles about travel experiences to Lake Powell


Restaurant Suggestions

Rainbow Room - Wahweap Marina* - This glass walled restaurant at the lodge offer a full menu of fine dining with a spectacular view of Wahweap Bay. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Anasazi Restaurant - Bullfrog Marina* - Adjoining the Defiance House Lodge, the setting affords a panoramic view of Bullfrog Bay. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Box Lunches* - For boaters at Wahweap and Bullfrog, box lunches are available with advance notice. Order from the front desk the night before.

Major national restaurant and fast food chains available throughout the area.
*Can accommodate coach tours.

Utah's Dining Guide


Moab, Utah Weather Information
F° averages Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High/Low 45/24 53/31 61/36 72/46 82/53 90/62 97/71 90/69 88/60 77/46 59/36 45/25
Water T. 47 46 52 54 64 70 76 80 76 69 62 53

Check current weather conditions.


Adjacent Destinations

Kane County Travel Council at 435-644-5033


Adjacent Destinations

Destination Grand Canyon: From Wahweap Marina, proceed west on U.S. 89 to Kanab. Distance: 72 miles - 1 ¼ hour drive time.

Destination Monument Valley - Trail of the Ancients (via Monument Valley): From Wahweap Marina, proceed south on U.S. 89 to Page AZ. From Page proceed south on Arizona Route 98 to U.S. 160. Continue East on Arizona Route 160 to U.S. 163 and north through Monument Valley to Bluff, Utah and the junction of U.S. 191. Proceed north on U.S. 191 to Blanding Utah. Distance to Monument Valley: 134 miles - 2½ hours drive time. Distance from Monument Valley to Blanding: 75 miles - 1 ½ hour drive time. Total drive time from Wahweap Marina, Lake Powell to Blanding - 4 hours.

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Recreation Guide