LAKE POWELL
Lake Powell is a beautiful and popular recreational area to the southeast of Capitol Reef National Park. Nestled within a network of finger canyons, Lake Powell has a unique shape with many inlets and secluded subsections that create more than 2,000 miles of shoreline. This large lake crosses the Utah / Arizona border, providing many recreational opportunities on both shore and water.
Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which stretches from Canyonlands National Park on the north to Marble Canyon on the south.
THINGS TO DO AT LAKE POWELL
ON THE WATER
Lake Powell offers all the water activities you could want. Boating is obviously one of the most popular things to do on the lake. On a typical summer day, many boaters take advantage of the lake’s size and calm water to enjoy water-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and just relaxing on the water.
Fishing is also a popular Lake Powell activity. Some of the more popular species include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. Most of the marinas even have fish cleaning stations for easy preparation of your catch on your way home or back to the campsite.
With all of the unique inlets and canyon walls that form the banks of Lake Powell, some places are best-explored by kayak! You can spend an entire week or more paddling around all of the lake’s natural harbor-like off-shoots. Not only are the shoreline canyons beautiful to see, but they also provide some level of privacy for camping, picnics, or parking your boat for a nap!
ON SHORE
There is just as much fun to be had on land as there is on the water! The Glen Canyon National Recreation area is full of canyons and hiking trails. The red rock of southern Utah towering above the blue water of Lake Powell creates the kind of views you put on a postcard. You may want to bring a camera!
If you have the time and want to escape the sun for a little while, check out the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River Utah where you can learn more about the history of the lake and surrounding area. There is even a dinosaur exhibit!
MARINAS
WAHWEAP MARINA
Wahweap Marina has a gift shop, food options, camping and RV areas, as well as shower and laundry facilities. Visitors can also rent boats and other equipment at Wahweap.
ANTELOPE POINT MARINA
Antelope Point marina has a variety of amenities, rentals, and services available to the public on the southern, Arizona portion of Lake Powell.
BULLFROG MARINA
Bullfrog Marina offers a six-lane boat ramp, boat slips, gas stations and a pumping station, plus lodging, a campground, picnic area, fish cleaning station, marina grocery store and gift shop. From Bullfrog Marina, visitors can take the John Atlantic Burr Ferry line across Lake Powell and pick up UT-276 again at Hall’s Crossing on the other side of the lake. These two marinas can also be reached from Torrey via scenic Highway 24 through Capitol Reef National Park to Hanksville.
Bullfrog Marina is the launch site for both full-day and half-day guided boat excursions to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world.
HALLS CROSSING MARINA
Halls Crossing Marina is just across the water from Bullfrog, and features designated campground areas, boat repair services, laundry, and other helpful stations.
DANGLING ROPE MARINA
Dangling Rope Marina is close to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. While this marina does offer some services such as grocery and fueling, offerings are more limited since Dangling Rope is only available by water. For this reason, there are no boat ramps here for putting in.
It should also be noted that Dangling Rope is the only Lake Powell marina where you can fuel up in the area between Bullfrog/Halls Crossing and Wahweap marinas.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO LAKE POWELL
Three popular ways to spend multiple days on the lake are camping, RVs, and houseboats.
Houseboats are a fun way to vacation without ever having to leave the water. Some Lake Powell loyals have invested in some pretty impressive houseboats that they use here every year.
Campsites can be found at the marinas and at different locations throughout Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Check out some of the most popular Lake Powell campgrounds here. And for those who prefer more primitive camping, undeveloped shoreline camping is available wherever you can find it. There are no fees required for primitive camping along the lake, but please make sure to leave no trace.
RV parks are available at Lake Powell marinas. This is one of the most comfortable ways to spend time at the lake if you are fortunate enough to have an RV!
Stay in Capitol Reef Country
Capitol Reef Country is filled with comfortable accommodations for every interest and budget.
