Looking for information about taking a vacation, next summer, on Lake Powell with 4 adults, 2 teenage boys and 1 tweeny girl. We will probably land in Las Vegas, but alloptions are open. We would like to see Bryce Canyon and a few addition sites prior to boarding the house boat. I figure we could do two nights -- 3 days before we get to Lake Powell. Any suggestions for sites to see, lodging etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Both families are active but want this to be a VACATION not a run around in an attempt to see "everything" In advance, THANK YOU!!!!

Can I go on the house boat trip too? That is something I've always wanted to do!

Las Vegas will probably be your best bet for flying into. I'd spend one night in Springdale, Utah to see Zion National Park. (160 miles and less than a 3 hour drive) Lots of great scenery and hiking. Spend most of the next day in Zion and then travel the 86 miles to Bryce for two nights. It's 155 miles and approx 3 1/2 hours drive from Bryce to Page, AZ.

Have fun!

Utahtea

We are doing this in August with another family. We're driving from L.A., towing our own boats & jet skis. Staying 3 nights at the Desert Pearl near Zion NP, then heading to Page/Wahweap Marina to pick up the boat. Another poster gave me a tip about the "early boarding" option, where you pay an extra $250 to stay on the boat the night before you leave the dock. This way we don't have to get a hotel room in Page, and get to shove off earlier in the morning, since you have loaded all of your stuff on the night before.

Here are a couple of threads to get you started:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34904277

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34861497

I'm not very good at trip reports, but I'll try to post some notes when I return.

Hi Gym,

Are you planning to also rent water toys such as a ski boat, jet skis? They really make the houseboat experience fun! Without them, you are stuck with a boat that drives like a house, just about as fast, and Lake Powell is huge! You don't get to go far or far or see much if limited to the houseboat. Plus, going in the summer, you will all want to stay in the water about 99%of the time. It's very hot.

Some things to think about.

Hi Folks, thanks for the information so far. The links have been great!!! I was wondering if people had a preference for Waheep Bay versus Bullfrog Peak/Bay as the marina of choice. The group is leaning toward Bullfrog because it offers "value" beginning August 20th as opposed to Weheep offering "value" beginning Aug 26 -- that's when we all have to be back for school / college. Also I realize it is HOT but June - Aug but it's the water temp that concerns me. It seems warmer in Aug than in June thus making it swimable for all. Especially since it is a WATER TRIP Again thanks for the helpful hints and threads -- keep them coming. We probably need to make a decision soon so that we can book for next year -- Thanks again -- Dorothy

It's cheaper for a reason...location, location, location. It's 460 miles from Bullfrog Marina to Las Vegas vs 277 miles from Wahweap marina (near Page, AZ)

If you fly into Salt Lake City then Bullfrog would be a little closer at 300 miles and Page would be farther at 385 miles. If you fly into Salt Lake and go to Bullfrog, then you won't be anywhere near Bryce unless you drive on a dirt road part of the time.

I think the scenery is more dramatic near Page than near Bullfrog. The canyon walls are higher. I think it's about a toss up from both marina's to Rainbow Bridge National Monument if that was a destination.

Utahtea

Gym,

You didn't mention whether you are going to rent water toys or not. I would not recommend doing a houseboat vacation without them.

Hi Dayle -- yes we are doing water toys -- with 2 teenage boys it would be hard to do without them.

Utahtea -- thanks for the advice about Bullfrog vs Waheep -- something to absoloutely consider. there is a marina I think east of waheep -- maybe antelope any thoughts on that?

LVK -- We will probably do the "night before" -- it seems just the right thing to do -- thanks for the threads

Again, thank you, thank you, and thanks again!!!
dorothy (AKA gymjunkee)

Antelope is a very new facility. I believe they only rent the larger high-end luxury houseboats. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) I'm not sure what size you are looking to rent. You should know, however, that the lower-budget boats sell out the quickest.

Boy would I love to do a high end boat rental but not in the budget. It sounding more like Waheep during peak season. Now, do we go in June when the temp is cooler (90 -not sure that is cool) and the water is cooler (average 72) or do we go in Aug when the temp is high and water temp is higher than in June? We really don't want to go in July --looking at the last week of June of the second week of Aug in the hopes that the lake is not that crowded during those times. What are people thoughts. Again, thanks so much. Dorothy

the qustion is do we go in June when the temp is cooler (90 -not sure that is cool) and the water is cooler (average 72) or do we go in Aug when the temp is high and water temp is higher than in June? We really don't want to go in July --looking at the last week of June of the second week of Aug in the hopes that the lake is not that crowded during those times. What are people thoughts. Again, thanks so much. Dorothy

Not only should you get water toys. . .but if you can swing it. . .getting a speedboat is almost a necessity. . .you can tow it behind your houseboat and then use it to go waterskiing/tubing. . . great fun

WOW, the last time we were at Lake Powell they had just opened up the Antelope Marina...and there wasn't nothing there but a parking lot and the ramp. I guess some things have changed in the last couple of years. It does look like they have high end houseboats there: http://lakepowellhouseboating.com/

As for dates, I like to avoid any time that is near a major holiday like the 4th of July. In 2008, the 4th of July falls on a Friday, so I think that you would be safe ending your trip by June 29th. If it was this year where the 4th falls on a Wednesday..I'd say go in August.

Utahtea

An acquaintance, who has a houseboat "timeshare" at Lake Powell, told us that August is usually a bit cooler than July. Her family goes every August. I'm not sure about the crowds, though.

In 2003 we spent a week at Lake Powell and we were there with my BIL who had a ski boat. The weather was HOT and the water was perfect for swimming! Utahtea

Hi gymjunkee,

Didn't rent a houseboat but was in Lake Powell last August. We did a 5 hour kayak tour and swam in the water. It was PERFECT temperature. Not too cold and not too warm. Enjoy and I wish I was going in the boat with you guys. I've always wanted to do that and we're still trying to get friends together to rent a houseboat next year.

Enjoy! You are definitely envied!

Not to be an alarmist, but there was an article in the Salt Lake Tribune (or maybe the Deseret News, I forget!) about the high concentrations of Carbon Monoxide in the water directly behind boats, especially houseboats at Lake Powell. They're just starting to connect many deaths on the lake over the past years to this problem.
You can google this in one of the Utah newspapers.
My husband's cousin jumped from a houseboat to swim behind the boat and disappeared under the water. They never found his body.
They say even good swimmers are susceptible (sp?)
Please be careful! Wear your life jacket!

Thanks for the heads up GrammaKel.

I don't think you are being alarmist at all. This happened to a local teen a few years ago at the Colorado River in very shallow water behind a boat. I believe she was overcome by fumes and drowned in the shallow water while all her friends were just few feet away partying aboard the boat.