Lake Powell at a glance
Lake Powell is the reservoir above Glen Canyon Dam. From Page, Wahweap lies to the north on the lake, Antelope Point to the east and Horseshoe Bend to the south. The dam separates the lake from the river below it, so the lake and the river are two different places to paddle. The lake belongs to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which charges its own entrance fee.
The water is low. At the end of September 2026 the lake held about 22 percent of its usable capacity, at roughly 3,518 ft above sea level. Boat tours, launch ramps and beaches all depend on that number, so this page tells you what is running, what is closed and what to check before you drive out.
Our picks: Lake Powell
The photo boat trip suits people who want help with pictures on the water, the jet boat adds a Navajo guide and the dam, and the kayak tour is for those who want to paddle themselves.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Jet boat trip to Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon Dam
- Navajo guide
- Jet boat trip
- Environmental protection fee
Two hours on Lake Powell with a Navajo guide, reaching the water side of the canyon. It does not include the slot canyon on foot. Navajo fee extra.
Check availability →Two-hour photo boat trip into Antelope Canyon
- Guided boat trip
- Life jackets
- Fuel included
The captains help with photos on the water arm of the canyon, and you can swim in the warm months. This is a boat trip, not the slot canyon on foot. A park pass per vehicle is extra.
Check availability →
Guided kayak and hike at Antelope Canyon on Lake Powell
- Kayak and paddle
- Life jacket and dry bag
You paddle Lake Powell, not the Colorado below the bend. Park entry is extra, and you get yourself to the launch ramp.
Check availability →Lake Powell boat tours and day trips from Page
Boat trips, kayak tours and combinations with Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Page, with live prices and availability.
Lake Powell boat tours compared
Boat tours depend on the marina, the operator and the water level. Confirm the departure time when you book.
| Tour | Starts at | Length | Adult price, 2026 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Canyon boat trip | Marina east of Page | 1 hour | From $50 (children 4 to 12 from $30) | Several departures a day, check in 45 minutes before |
| Antelope Canyon boat trip | Wahweap | None | None | Not available until further notice |
| Rainbow Bridge boat tour | Wahweap | None | None | Not available until further notice |
A separate $30 entry fee applies, or a valid park pass is accepted. The boat trip is a different experience from the guided walking tours through Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, which have their own fees and rules. Our Antelope Canyon guide covers those.
For most visitors who want to see the lake from the water on a short schedule, the one-hour boat trip from the marina east of Page is the option to book. A boat day to Rainbow Bridge is not available right now, and the monument has its own access limits, explained on the Rainbow Bridge page.
Launch ramps at low water
Many ramps no longer reach the water for motorized boats. The table shows the status as of 2026. A ramp marked "at your own risk" is not a promise that it works for your boat, and the status can change quickly, so check the current list before you visit.
| Ramp | Motorboats | Kayaks and paddleboards |
|---|---|---|
| Wahweap Main | Closed | Launch at your own risk |
| Wahweap Stateline Main | Closed | Launch at your own risk |
| Stateline Auxiliary | Available | Closed |
| Antelope Point public ramp | Closed | Launch at your own risk |
| Castle Rock Cut | Closed | No passage |
| Halls Crossing | Closed | Closed |
| Bullfrog North | At your own risk | Open |
| Bullfrog Primitive | Open, unpaved ramp | Closed |
| Hite | Closed, access road from Highway 95 closed | Closed |
The Utah ferry is out of service, and no restart date is set. If you tow your own boat, Stateline Auxiliary is the open choice near Page.
What low water means for your trip
Four things change when the lake drops.
Ramps and infrastructure
Park managers are adjusting infrastructure to keep lake access going, but longer-term ramp extensions are not finished. Do not plan around a ramp that may not exist yet.
Boat tours
Some tours are suspended and others run on reduced schedules. Check with the operator when you book, not the day before.
Water quality
Water quality shifts with heavy rain and with the lake level. Do not swim in water that looks foamy or green with algae.
Heat and weather
Summer is very hot with little shade, and storms can bring flash floods in summer and autumn. Our weather guide for Page explains the seasons.
Swimming and beaches
The lake has several swimming access points, including Wahweap Swim Beach, Lone Rock and The Chains. None has lifeguards, and swimming is at your own risk. Swimming is not allowed in marinas, at launch areas or inside Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
- Cliff jumping: jumps from structures or cliffs of 15 ft (4.6 m) and higher are prohibited, and park staff advise against cliff jumping in general. Do not treat lower jumps as safe.
- Life jackets for children: children aged 12 and younger need a life jacket on boats, in marinas and in the water at Lone Rock. Put one on every child up to that age.
- Lone Rock: a primitive beach and camping area with sandy access roads. Vehicles can get stuck. Entry and camping are charged separately. Bring your own drinking water.
- Drones: launching, landing or flying a drone from park land or water in Glen Canyon is prohibited without written permission from the park.
Fees and passes in 2026
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area charges $30 per private vehicle for 7 days, $25 for a motorcycle pass (up to 2 motorcycles and 4 people) and $15 per person on foot or by bike from age 16. Younger visitors enter free. Payment is cashless. This fee covers Wahweap and Lees Ferry. It does not cover the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, which charges $10 per car, or Antelope Canyon, which has its own Navajo fee plus a guide.
A Glen Canyon annual pass costs $55 for US citizens and residents. The America the Beautiful pass costs $80 for US residents and $250 for non-residents. The extra non-resident charge at some other parks does not apply to Glen Canyon. A private motorized boat up to 26 ft (about 8 m) needs a vessel pass, $30 for a week or $60 for a year. Kayaks on the river below the dam need a free permit instead, explained on the kayak page.
Kayaking and paddling on Lake Powell
Lake Powell is its own paddling area above the dam. It is not connected to the river stretch that passes Horseshoe Bend, so you cannot paddle from the lake to the bend. For the river trip from Lees Ferry, read the kayak page.
On the lake, wind, waves and motorboat traffic decide how comfortable a day is. Wear a life jacket, start early and check which ramps are open for paddlecraft before you carry your boat anywhere. For a guided trip, look at the tour cards above.
Planning a bigger loop through the region? The Arizona neighbours have their own guides, such as the Lake Powell guide on Adventures Arizona.
More around Lake Powell
Where to go next.
Kayak to Horseshoe Bend
Backhaul from Lees Ferry, the free river permit and life jacket rules.
Rainbow Bridge
Access limits, the dock situation and a respectful visit.
Glen Canyon Dam
The visitor center, the overlook and what is closed.
Antelope Canyon tours
Upper, Lower and Canyon X, with fees and rules.
Lake Powell: frequently asked questions
Can you still take a boat to Rainbow Bridge?
The Rainbow Bridge boat tour from Wahweap is not available until further notice. The dock at the monument does not reach land at current water levels, and any landing is at your own risk. Read the Rainbow Bridge page before you plan around it.
Do I have to pay to visit Lake Powell?
Yes, for the parts inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: $30 per private vehicle for 7 days as of 2026. Annual and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. Boat tours are priced separately.
Can you swim in Lake Powell?
At access points such as Wahweap Swim Beach, Lone Rock and The Chains, at your own risk and without lifeguards. Swimming is not allowed in marinas, at launch areas or at Rainbow Bridge. Stay out of foamy or algae-covered water.
Can I launch my own boat near Page?
Only at the ramps that are open. As of 2026, Stateline Auxiliary is open for motorboats near Page, and several other ramps are closed. Check the current status before you visit. Motorized private boats also need a vessel pass.
Is Horseshoe Bend on Lake Powell?
No. Horseshoe Bend is a bend of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam. The lake lies above the dam, and the two are separate places to paddle.
Can I fly a drone at Lake Powell?
Not without written permission from the park. Launching, landing or flying a drone from park land or water in Glen Canyon is prohibited.