Lake Powell reservoir, on the Colorado River, stretches 186 miles through Utah and into Arizona. With its beautiful scenery, it calls to boaters from all over for its water activities and opportunities for sightseeing. This memorable lake affords the opportunity to go wake boarding, fishing, scuba diving and waterskiing, but the most popular thing to do at Lake Powell is houseboating!
Scenic Lake Powell — Photo courtesy of Gleb Tarassenko
Rentals are available and, like any vehicle, can range from the simplest to the most luxurious. Interiors have tvs, dvd players, bathrooms with showers, and even sleep up to 14 at anchor. The most luxurious models have outdoor kitchens, water slides and all sorts of amazing amenities.
Boating Lake Powell — Photo courtesy of Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
Be sure to get a map before starting out on this vast lake, as there are many interesting side excursions to take. Lake Powell has many sandy beaches to pull up to for a bit of relaxation, swimming or picnic lunch. The lake's 96 surrounding canyons are mostly accessible by watercraft only, as road access is limited to most. The famous Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural bridge, is a mile hike inland and well worth it to see this famous monument.
Other notable sites are LaGorce Arch, accessible by a smaller houseboat and one of the most photographed places on the lake. Also, at Cathedral in the Desert, colorful, 1000 foot spiral walls of sandstone are a sight to behold.
For those land lovers who want to give their sea legs a break, there are a variety of lodging choices in nearby Page, Arizona. The Lake Powell Resort is one popular choice, at the Wahweap Marina, where boat rentals are available, along with boat tours and dinner cruises.
Havin' a blast at Lake Powell — Photo courtesy of Philms
Kids will not only enjoy blasting around the lake, but also taking in the fascinating and mysterious landscape, including the tapestry-like markings along Navajo Canyon or the 700 year old ruins found in Forgotten Canyon. Also not to be missed is the Glen Canyon Dam, which formed the lake in 1963. A museum is here, along with tours of the inner workings of the dam and spectacular views along its pedestrian walkway across the top. Photographers will love a trip to nearby Antelope Canyon, where the famous slot canyons can be found, providing spectacular lighting on these beautiful rock formations from vantage points sometimes 100 feet below.
Lake Powell has something for everyone, and as it did for its namesake, explorer John Wesley Powell in the late 1800's, it will bring out the explorer in you.