130 mi
From South Rim to Page
~2.5 hr
Each way via US-89
250 sq mi
Reservoir surface area
50 mi
Boat trip to Rainbow Bridge
Glen Canyon Dam
Free tours at Carl Hayden VC
Check Levels
Water levels and ramp status vary
Lowdown Verdict
Lake Powell is a destination in its own right — not a Grand Canyon day trip. The reservoir covers 250 square miles and the signature experience (houseboat rentals, multi-canyon boat exploration) takes days, not hours. Base yourself in Page for two or three nights and combine Glen Canyon Dam, Wahweap, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend into a proper Page cluster trip.
Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell is a reservoir created by Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, completed in 1966. The dam backs the river into a 186-mile-long reservoir that extends from Page, Arizona north into Utah. The surrounding area is administered as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — one of the largest recreation areas in the US at 1.25 million acres.
The lake sits at the junction of the Colorado Plateau's most dramatic geology — Navajo sandstone canyon walls in shades of orange, red, and cream drop directly into the water, creating a landscape unlike any other reservoir in the world. At full pool the lake has 2,000 miles of shoreline, more than the entire US Pacific coast. Water levels have dropped significantly in recent drought years, revealing ring-of-bathtub-ring geology on the canyon walls that documents the lake's decline — a visible record of the Colorado River's reduced flows.
Water level warning: Lake Powell water levels have fluctuated dramatically in recent years and some launch ramps, marinas, and amenities shown on older maps or guides may be closed, relocated, or operating with reduced services. Always check current conditions at the Bureau of Reclamation water data site or call Wahweap Marina directly before planning a boat-dependent itinerary.
Wahweap Marina: The Main Hub
Wahweap Marina is the primary access point for Lake Powell on the Arizona side, located about 5 miles north of Page via US-89. It is the largest marina on the lake and the departure point for most guided tours including Rainbow Bridge boat trips.
Powerboat Rentals — Half Day or Full Day
Wahweap rents powerboats for independent lake exploration. No boating license is required in Arizona for recreational rentals, though you must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license. Boats range from small fishing boats to larger ski boats and deck boats. Rates vary by season and boat size — budget $150 to $350 or more per day for a mid-size powerboat. This is the best way to explore side canyons on your own schedule. Check current ramp status before booking as low water levels have affected some launch facilities.
Houseboat Rentals — Multi-Day Only
Houseboat rentals are the quintessential Lake Powell experience — floating through slot canyons, anchoring in a secluded cove, sleeping on the water under the desert stars. Houseboats sleep 8 to 12 people and rent by the week or long weekend. Rates start around $2,000 to $3,000 for a base model for 4 nights, with larger or premium boats running considerably more. Availability in summer books months ahead. This is categorically not a day trip experience — it is a standalone vacation.
Guided Tours — No Boat Required
For visitors who want lake access without captaining a boat, Wahweap offers guided tours including scenic lake cruises and the full-day Rainbow Bridge tour. Check Lake Powell guided tour availability on Viator → Tours are typically 2 to 6 hours and provide narration about the lake's geology and history. These are the most accessible option for first-time visitors and for those combining Lake Powell with Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend the same day.
Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitor Center
Glen Canyon Dam is one of the largest concrete arch dams in the United States — 710 feet tall, 1,560 feet across, containing 4.9 million cubic yards of concrete. It spans the Colorado River just outside Page and is visible from the US-89 bridge crossing. The dam is a significant piece of 20th-century American engineering and a politically contested one — the impoundment of Glen Canyon drowned what many consider the most beautiful canyon system in the Southwest.
Carl Hayden Visitor Center — Free
The visitor center on the dam's east rim offers exhibits on dam construction, Colorado River hydrology, and the history of Glen Canyon. Free guided dam tours depart from here — rangers walk visitors across the top of the dam and into the dam structure itself. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and depart several times daily; no reservation required but capacity is limited. One of the best free ranger-led tours in the entire national park system.
Open daily. Confirm current tour schedule at nps.gov/glca before visiting — hours and tour availability have varied with staffing levels.
The View from US-89 Bridge
Even if you do not stop at the visitor center, the US-89 bridge crosses the Colorado River just downstream of the dam — a dramatic crossing with the dam visible to the right and the river gorge dropping away below. The bridge was completed in 2009 and is one of the highest bridges in the US at 700 feet above the river. Pullouts on both sides allow stopping for photos.
This bridge is also on the route if you are continuing north toward Kanab, Utah, or the North Rim via Marble Canyon.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges on Earth — 290 feet tall, 275 feet wide at the base, and 33 feet thick at the thinnest point. It is sacred to the Navajo, Hopi, Paiute, Zuni, and San Juan Southern Paiute peoples; visitors are asked not to walk beneath the bridge arch out of respect for this significance.
By Boat — The Standard Route
Guided boat tours from Wahweap Marina cover approximately 50 miles each way across the lake into the side canyons leading to Rainbow Bridge. Tours typically depart early morning and return in the afternoon — 5 to 7 hours total. You disembark near the monument and walk a short distance to the bridge. This is the primary access route and requires no permit. Cost runs $100 to $150 per person.
By Backcountry Hike — Navajo Permit Required
Rainbow Bridge can be hiked overland via trails through Navajo Nation land, approaching from the north through Navajo Canyon (approximately 13 to 14 miles one way). A Navajo Nation backcountry hiking permit is required and must be obtained in advance. The hike involves canyon scrambling, no reliable water sources, and navigational challenges. This route is only suitable for experienced desert hikers and is not a day hike — most parties camp at least one night on the trail.
Cultural note: Rainbow Bridge is sacred to multiple Native nations. The request not to walk beneath the arch is a matter of cultural respect, not a legal restriction. The majority of visitors honor this request. Photography of the bridge from outside the arch is unrestricted.
Building the Page Cluster Trip
Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend are all based out of Page and are best experienced as a 2 to 3 night cluster. Here is how the days stack.
Day 1 — Drive from Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend Sunset
Leave Grand Canyon South Rim by 7 AM. Arrive Page by 9:30 AM. Carl Hayden Visitor Center dam tour (1 hour). Wahweap Marina — walk the waterfront, book tomorrow's boat rental or tour. Horseshoe Bend at 4 PM for afternoon light. Dinner in Page. Overnight.
Day 2 — Antelope Canyon Morning, Lake Powell Afternoon
Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour at 10 AM for midday light beams (pre-booked). Back by noon. Wahweap Marina for a half-day powerboat rental or 2-hour guided lake cruise. Sunset on the water. Overnight in Page.
Day 3 (Optional) — Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, Return to Grand Canyon
Full-day Rainbow Bridge boat tour departing Wahweap (7 to 8 hours). Return to Page by 3 PM. Drive back to Grand Canyon South Rim by 5:30 PM via US-89 south. Or skip Rainbow Bridge and drive directly back, adding the from-Page route guide for the return leg.
Lake Powell and Glen Canyon FAQ
Continue Planning
Antelope Canyon →
Upper and Lower slot canyons near Page
Horseshoe Bend →
1,000-foot Colorado River overlook
Page from Grand Canyon →
Full Page area guide and logistics
Driving from Page →
Route and timing from Page to GC
All Day Trips →
Day trip options from the South Rim
Best Time to Visit →
Seasonal guide for Grand Canyon and Page
Ready to Go Deeper Into Lake Powell?
Houseboat rentals, hiking trails, slot canyons, seasonal water levels — the full Lake Powell planning guide.