Destination Guide
Boating Lake Powell & the Colorado River
Marinas, houseboats, canyon runs & the world’s largest floating restaurant
161,390 acres
Surface Area
1,960 miles
Shoreline
560 ft
Max Depth
3,700 ft
Elevation
75–85°F
Water Temp (Summer)
Year-round (peak Apr–Oct)
Boating Season
Why Lake Powell Is a Bucket-List Boating Destination
Lake Powell sits at the heart of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, straddling the Arizona–Utah border. With 1,960 miles of shoreline — more than the entire Pacific coast of the United States — it is one of the most dramatic boating playgrounds on Earth.
The lake was created by Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and filled to capacity by 1980. Today it offers everything from wakeboarding in narrow slot canyons to multi-day houseboat expeditions through towering red Navajo sandstone walls.
For outboard boaters, the lower Colorado River below the dam provides a completely different experience — swift-current canyon runs past Horseshoe Bend and through Marble Canyon, where the water runs emerald green and the walls rise 1,000 feet on either side.
Only at Antelope Point Marina
Jádí’Tooh — The World’s Largest Floating Restaurant
Named after the Navajo word for “Antelope Water,” Jádí’Tooh is a 27,000-square-foot floating dining experience perched on Lake Powell’s blue water with 360-degree views of red sandstone cliffs.
The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and a menu built around Southwestern-inspired cuisine. You can pull your boat right up to the dock and walk in.
Tip: Arrive by boat before 5 PM on weekends to secure dock space.
Video: Lake Powell’s 2026 Crisis — We Got a BIG Problem! by Desert Rat Explorations
Lake Powell Marinas
Four full-service marinas serve boaters on both the Arizona and Utah sides.
Antelope Point Marina
Home to Jádí'Tooh — the world's largest floating restaurant
Wahweap Marina
Lake Powell's largest full-service marina
Bullfrog Marina
Utah-side access — gateway to Halls Crossing
Halls Crossing Marina
Ferry service connects to Bullfrog Basin
Below the Dam
Colorado River Canyon Runs
Below Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River flows cold and clear through some of the most spectacular canyon scenery in the American West. The Lower River Outboard Run is a popular route for boaters running from Lees Ferry downstream through Marble Canyon — towering Kaibab Limestone walls, emerald-green water, and virtually no crowds.
The run requires a capable outboard rig and awareness of cold-water releases from the dam (water temps hover around 46°F year-round below the dam).
See Upcoming Events
Featured Event
Colorado River / Lower River Outboard Run
Outboard canyon run from Lees Ferry downstream through Marble Canyon. Towering Kaibab Limestone walls, emerald-green water, and Horseshoe Bend from river level.
Lake Powell Boating Tips & Essentials
Houseboat Reservations
Book 3–6 months ahead for peak season (June–August). Most houseboats sleep 10–12 and include a water slide, top deck, and onboard grill.
Water Levels
Check the Bureau of Reclamation's daily lake level report. Low-water years can close certain canyons and ramps. Current pool elevation is posted at every marina.
Launch Ramps
Wahweap and Antelope Point (AZ side) plus Bullfrog and Halls Crossing (UT side) all have paved ramps. Arrive before 8 AM on summer weekends to avoid lines.
Must-See Canyons
Navajo Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon, Cathedral in the Desert, and Rainbow Bridge — the world's largest natural bridge, accessible only by boat.