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Campgrounds at Bear Lake, Utah Camping in Lake Isabella at Sequoia National Forest Lake Powell Tourist Information

by Jodi Thornton O'Connell 
With more than 2,000 miles of shoreline, you'll find more sandy beaches at Lake Powell than along the country's entire West Coast. Red monoliths rise dramatically from the water, and nearly 100 canyons beckon to be explored. The lake is just a two-hour drive from the Grand Canyon and less than 300 miles from Phoenix, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, making it an opportune weekend getaway.

Operating Hours and Fees

Lake Powell is open year-round, but services at the marinas and visitor centers are limited during the winter months. Your entrance fee provides access to explore the park for up to seven days. Interagency passes are accepted, and annual passes for the Glen Canyon Recreation Area are also available. Additional fees are required to access the lake's marinas and launches. While there is no charge to camp in dispersed locations around the lake, expect camping fees at Lee’s Ferry, Stanton Creek, Hite, Farley Canyon, Dirty Devil and Long Beach campgrounds.


Lake Powell enjoys the typical extremes of weather in the high deserts, with high temperatures topping 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months of June and July and lows dipping down below freezing during the coldest nights of winter. Late July and August herald the summer monsoons, which can bring sufficient rain to cause flash flooding. Springtime brings displays of profuse wildflowers near tributary streams in Lake Powell's canyons, but the season is also accompanied by high winds that can make paddling sports on the lake a challenge. Autumn's weather brings sunny skies and mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s.


You will find numerous ways to keep busy at the lake. Boating is a favorite attraction, and four marinas around provide easy access to the water. Rent a houseboat for a leisurely vacation exploring at your own pace, camping overnight in hidden canyons of your choosing. Other water activities include kayaking, riding personal watercraft, water skiing, fishing and swimming. Enjoy mountain biking and hiking along the shoreline. You can take a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge, a natural arch that should not be missed. Touring Glen Canyon Dam gives you an understanding of the intricacies of the construction of the lake.


(REF8/PE) Stay overnight or make a vacation of it at one of the accommodations surrounding the lake. Houseboat vacations are one popular draw at the lake, where you can drop anchor in a cove of your choice. RV enthusiasts will find hookups in the campgrounds at the marinas. Dispersed camping is permitted along the shoreline of the lake for no charge, but you should be prepared to provide your own waterproof portable toilet to pack out human waste. Traditional accommodations can be found at Lake Powell Resort (lakepowell.com) at Wahweap Marina in Arizona, and Defiance House Lodge (lakepowell.com) at Bullfrog Bay, Utah. Stand-alone family accommodations are available to rent at Bullfrog, Halls Crossing and Hite marinas (lakepowell.com).




