I need some help on deciding between cruises in the Lake Powell area.

We are a family of six (kids ages 14, 13, 11 and 7) and are doing a Grand Circle tour next April 14th-23rd. Right now, we are planning to be in Lake Powell for approximately 1 1/2 days. We plan to do the Antelope Slot Canyon tour and would like to do some kind of boat trip around the Lake Powell area.

I have read all the postings and while I would love to do the Rainbow Bridge cruise, my husband thinks it would be too long and would get boring after a while.

I have also read about the float trips but I would really like to explore Lake Powell. Also, I did a white water trip on the Colorado out of Moab with one kids a few years ago and I am concerned that in April it might be cold on the float trip.

So, I am trying to figure out if we should rent a boat and explore Lake Powell on our own (we are experienced boaters), take one of the other boat tours (Antelope Canyon or Navajo Tapestry) or reconsider one of the above tours that everyone has raved about.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I loved the Lake Powell tour, but didn't do it with children. It would be fun to rent a boat, but it is very hard to navigate there, so keep that in mind. On the tour you do have to get off and hike to get to Rainbow Bridge so that breaks up the trip. If the water level is high they go really fast through these narrow slots and it can be pretty exciting. You can also bring whatever you want on the boat, so I like that (foodwise). How would they do a boat tour to Antelope Canyon?

we are also avid hikers and boaters. two years ago we just rented our own boat out of the marina, packed the goods for the day and explored it ourselves. if you boat, it is not bad. we also were there in june, pre busy season. this year we will be going thru lake powell with a few family members that are cc the country (our mini cc trip) and have a boat rented in august for the same. i am thinking it will be busy, boat traffic, but we have a full day. i think it is the best way to see the lake and we stopped and hiked to the bridge. have fun!

Thanks for the replies. The boat tour that I was referring to does not go to Antelope Slot Canyon, however, it is called the Antelope Canyon Cruise and is offered by Aramark. Not sure where it goes in the lake or why it is called that. Would love to hear more about it if anyone has any information.

There is Antelope Canyon (on Lake Powell) and an Antelope Slots Canyon (on land tour). Antelope Canyon is on Lake Powell and goes around Antelope Island. With the lake low, the Rainbow Bridge Tour has to also go though Antelope Canyon to get to the main part of the lake.

I've done the boat tour twice (LOVE IT!) and have gone on a private boat once. If you rent a boat and want to make it to Rainbow Bridge it will pretty much take all day to get there and back. If the Lake is low like it has been for the last 4 or 5 years, then you will have to go though Antelope Canyon as I mentioned. The problem with Antelope canyon is the water gets really choppy because it is a deep narrow canyon. This makes for a slow very rough ride and there's about 12 miles of this canyon. We did this in August, maybe it won't be so bad in April. If you do rent a boat, get a good map of the lake!!!

As Dohlice mentioned you get off the boat at Rainbow Bridge and when we did the tours they also stopped at Dangling Rope Marina where you can get ice cream.

Utahtea

Ooh, Dangling Rope marina! I forgot the name. I’ve been to Antelope slot Canyon and it was absolutely fantastic. Don’t miss that.