"3 Days on Lake Powell" Page by travelgirl3

Page Travel Guide: 248 reviews and 671 photos

The Good...

Overall, we had a great time at Lake Powell. We drove up with my Aunt, from her place in Scottsdale, and stayed at the Best Western in Page the night before we were to start our adventure. Checking in at Wahweap went fairly smoothly, until they couldn't find the houseboat we had reserved months before. Anyway, an hour later, we were prepped, educated, and ready to hit the lake. The lake and surrounding scenery is beautiful and breathtaking. Going down the boat slide was a blast, and the first night and following morning I was in heaven.

The Bad ...

Heading to Rainbow Bridge - Lake Powell

Maybe we went into this a little blindly, but I figured if they would rent a houseboat to me, it must be pretty safe, and easy. Wrong!! As we were already travelling and paying airfare from Canada, we didn't have any money left over to rent one of those small boats everybody else pulls along behind. So, we chugged along, like a shoe box in a jacuzzi, going into one canyon after another, trying to find an easy spot to spend night #2. We ended up heading to Rainbow Bridge, but alas, there were no parking spots!! So, we had to turn around (yes, in the houseboat) and nearly took out a very expensive, very attitudinal yellow and black speedboat. I still shudder when I think about it. I can only imagine what we'd say to the owner. But we sure caught the attention of the tourists on the dock!!

The Ugly...

Dungeon Canyon - Lake Powell

Ok, after Rainbow Bridge, and after almost running out of daylight, we found a spot for night #2. On the morning of day #3, the Marine forecast was calling for thunderstorms, so we decided to go back to our safe little spot in Gunsight Canyon where we spent night #1. After we docked, the kids and my Aunt went in for a swim. 10 minutes later, I noticed an awful yellow haze across the lake. Yup, dust storm approaching!! Everybody out of the water!! So while Auntie & the kids hung out in the boat, Hubby & I desperately hung on to the lines securing the boat, while the wind sandblasted us (both wearing only bathing suits at the time.) After about 45 minutes of thinking the lines were going to snap, coil around my neck, and blast the boat against the rocks, the wind stopped. After night #3, I was more than happy to get off the damn boat, and back on terra firma!!

A little too much excitement for me!

Pros and Cons

Pros:I'm sure houseboating can be wonderful, but park it and use a waverunner to get where you want to go.
Cons:Don't go in late June (very windy), and don't go without somebody who has done it before!
In a nutshell:Been there, done that, like skydiving, never gonna do that again!!

Last visit to Page: Jun 2002
Intro Updated Sep 30, 2005
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Reviews (2)

View of Lake Powell from Best Western Arizonainn - Page

Great View of Lake Powell Hotels (1)

After a very long drive from Scottsdale, which included my 2 sons singing Nickelback's 'Down to the bottom of every... more travel advice

Watch out for Dust Storms! Warnings and Dangers (1)

I really wish I had a picture of this, but it's really hard to photograph a dust storm when you're desperately trying to... more travel advice

Comments (9)

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richiecdisc Dec 15, 2004 at 1:02 PM

I've always wanted to try the houseboat thing on Lake Powell but will head your advice about the dust storms. Still, it sounds like a blast you'll never forget!
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EllenH Dec 15, 2004 at 9:39 AM

talked me out of a houseboat!
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RobDavis Nov 18, 2004 at 11:03 AM

Nice Page page. :-)
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windsorgirl Nov 17, 2004 at 10:18 AM

I missed Page while I was in AZ, your photos look beautiful, belying the harrowing experiences you had! Thanks for visiting my Grand Canyon pages.
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craic Oct 26, 2004 at 8:38 AM

Whoo! Bit of an adventure. Only houseboat trip I did was with husband playing captain and as he is an old salt, it all went well. (Bit dull though, I thought. Maybe all going well is dull.)
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Kaspian Oct 25, 2004 at 6:30 AM

Great story! The views are fantastic. Sounds like a strange, fun, scary trip. Cheers, Ed.
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beret Oct 6, 2004 at 11:40 AM

What memories! What a trip! Um, I think I may pass...
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mapakettle Sep 6, 2004 at 3:35 PM

Houseboats are great, as long as someone else drives, and you do the drinking. Pa
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dshinkle Aug 16, 2004 at 12:04 PM

haha, I'll take your advice and only going houseboating with someone who has done it before.