Houseboating on Utah's Lake Powell
See Defiance House Anasazi Ruins, Forgotten Canyon and Moqui Canyon
Lake Powell is 186 miles long, stretching across southern Utah and dipping into Arizona. Renting a houseboat is the best way to explore and enjoy this vast body of water.
If you're considering your first vacation in the giant desert-and-water playground that is Lake Powell, check out these tips from an avid houseboating enthusiast.
Reserve your boat early. Three marinas rent houseboats at Lake Powell: Bullfrog and Hall’s Crossing in Utah (south of Hanksville) and Wahweap, just across the border into Arizona. You’ll likely book your houseboat depending on what location is closer to your point of origin. You don’t need to book a year in advance, but if you want a certain sized houseboat and a specific dates, you just might want to be the early bird.
Upgrade your rental if you can afford it. Houseboats come in all sizes and prices. The very, very basic 44-foot Explorer sleeps up to 10 with minimal amenities, such as a kitchenette, outdoor grill, bunk beds and water slide. The top-of-the-line 75-foot Odyssey sleeps 12 and features a hot tub, fireplace and many more upscale appointments. With all sorts of options in between, if you are wavering between two choices, go with the more expensive rental—you’ll appreciate the small touches (which might include a GPS system, two refrigerators, bed linens) after a few days on the water.
Make it a group trip. Sure, houseboating with your family of four or a like-minded couple would be fun, but houseboats are meant for sharing—so plan a vacation with your neighbors, your golfing buddies or extended family to make your trip even more fun, and affordable.
Don’t worry about being a novice houseboat driver. The friendly marina staff will give you a thorough lesson in piloting your houseboat, as well as an important safety briefing.
Stay at the marina the night before. If you’re tired and cranky from traveling right before you pick up your houseboat, you won’t be starting off your water-based vacation on the right foot. Stay at the nearby lodging (basic hotel accommodations) so you can be first in line when the marina opens at 8 a.m. You’ll be well-rested and energized to head out to find a sandy beach for base camp in case any houseboaters prefer tent camping to houseboat sleeping.
Don’t overpack. Life is very laid back at Lake Powell. (Should we relax on the deck with margaritas or Coronas today? Is it a good day for hiking or water skiing?) Resist the urge to pack extra toiletries, clothes or anything less rugged than old hiking boots and flip flops. You’ll be hauling duffel bags (and coolers and water toys) from your parked car to the boat, so only pack the necessities.
Pack enough food and drink. I’d skimp on T-shirts before I’d skimp on what’s really important at Lake Powell: lots of bottled water (and beer!), salty snacks, sweet treats and shared meals (divvy up meals among each family or couple, so you only have to prepare a few easy lunches or dinners; oven-ready lasagna, deli sandwiches and burgers are easy to fix on board). Groceries at the marina store are very expensive.
Explore. Find the time in between fishing, water skiing, tubing, swimming and hiking, to take your houseboat (or rented jet skis or powerboat) to investigate vast Lake Powell and its 2,000 miles of shoreline. From Bullfrog Marina, two neat sights are the Defiance House Anasazi ruins up Forgotten Canyon, and Moqui Canyon with its mysterious pictographs.
For more information on renting houseboats at Lake Powell, visit this website.
