Hi All,

I have just been giving my marching orders to start researching a Lake Powell Houseboating trip, and this is one of my first stops. I'm hoping anyone with experience can help me with any tips about Lake Powell or houseboating or both.

We will be 3 families, (9 people) driving from Southern California, towing our own Waverunners and a ski boat. This would be in 2007. My preliminary questions:

1. Which month would be the best and why? Our Spring break is generally the 1st week of April. It looks like avg. temps at that time are high 60's, low 70's, which doesn't seem like ideal weather for getting wet. How cold is the water then?
2. Which Marina is best to use as a starting point?
3. We will probably only go for five days. Which parts of the lake should we be sure to see during this time?
4. How far in advance should we book?
5. Either before or after the houseboating, what day trips would be recommended?
6. Mapquest shows the route from LA to Page going northeast through Las Vegas. Any other suggestions?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get more into it. Thanks for any suggestions.

Will you take me with you? I've always wanted to rent a houseboat on Lake Powell!

Since I've never been on one, the most I can do is give you a link to where to rent one: http://www.lakepowell.com/index.php

I have been to Lake Powell many times and I think the more dramatic canyons are at the southern end near Page, AZ. That's where I'd rent a house boat.

I haven't stayed at Lake Powell in April, but I've been in the area. It can get cold. I know that by the end of October the snow birds leave Lake Powell because the weather is to cold. I checked on Weather.com and the weather in early April is very similar to late October. If you could go late May then I know it gets warm.

We were there in August and as long as you have a boat on the lake, you want it HOT! This site had the water temps for the year: http://www.obsessionboats.com/lakepowell.php

Utahtea

Didn't rent a houseboat but did rent a boat and we did that at the wahweap marina. i would say that would be a good place to start. We were there in september and the water was still cold but it's good like that when you're in the heat all day.

sounds like a blast! i'm with utahtea, take me with you, pleeeeeaaaasssseeee...

I had the same "marching orders" back in 2002. Lake Powell houseboating was one of the BEST vacations we have ever been on. We went for 5 days & repeated the trip the following year for a whole week and even then we wished we had stayed longer. Our first trip was in July,leaving from Hite,on a basic boat as it was the most affordable. We only got as far Halls that yr. The following year we had a specific style boat in mind and then had to be flexible in booking as that was a popular boat.We ended up going in Aug. We left from HALLS, and made it as far as Dangling Rope sight seeing. Again this was dictated by our choice of boat, availabilty and we were coming from CT. I had booked my trips basically a year in advance as their calendars were pretty full already. Flexibility is the key to planning this trip. Summer months are of course very hot with wild afternoon thunderstorms at times. The swimming & boating was unbeleivable with water temps in the 80's. I highly suggest UtahT's website and go over the houseboat plans, as they have many models to choose from. Then start checking online different dates you may have in mind and see whats available. I tried to read as many "trip reports"as i could for info. I used this one alot:
http://www.riverlakes.com/houseboat_rentals.htm Another interesting one is:http://www.dbherberg.com/powell/ & http://users.frii.com/ajs/Houseboat101.htm , http://www.sonic.net/lschwer/Lake-Powell/lp-daily.htm

Good Luck..

UtahT...You have just got to Houseboat one year. Its the Ultimate in Utah! I checked out some of your great vacation pics..WOW

Forgot to mention here is a great article in National Geographic on Glen Canyon with some very beautiful pics...http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/n...re3/index.html

nice article disneynan. I almost immediately thought of Edward Abbey's "Monkey Wrench Gang"!!!

Thanks so much for all of your replies and links.

Utahtea, I know how you feel. About 18 years ago, a co-worker showed me some pictures from her Lake Powell houseboating vacation. It has been on my "list" ever since. When our friends suggested this last weekend, I jumped at the chance.

Since the water temps average 52 degrees in April, we'll try to shoot for June/July.

I'll be reading all of the links disneynan provided when I have more time.

Thanks again!