Page, Arizona to Lake Powell: A Utah Adventure Awaits

October 2024

This is Part 1 of our Utah adventure! We kicked things off in Page, Arizona, where the desert meets the water, and the scenery never stops changing. We set up camp for two nights with my mom and her dog, Maise. We were secretly hoping this trip would help our dog, Shilo, finally warm up to Maise. (Spoiler: she still wasn’t ready for bestie status yet, but at least they tolerated each other.)

Home Base: Page Lake Powell Campground

We stayed at Page Lake Powell Campground, which turned out to be a fantastic basecamp. The RV spots were spacious, equipped with full hook-ups and picnic tables. The campground also had clean bathrooms, showers, a kids’ playground, and even a little dog park.

One of the coolest features was the big rocky hill right behind the campground. We climbed it and were rewarded with a full 360° view of the area. It was absolutely gorgeous. From the top, we could even see another RV park on the other side that looked newer — something we might keep in mind for a future trip.

A Little History: Lake Powell

Before we dive into our boating adventure, let’s take a moment for some background. Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado River, created after the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s. When the canyon flooded, it formed the massive lake we see today, stretching across the Arizona/Utah border.

The lake was named after John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran and explorer who led expeditions through the Grand Canyon in the late 1800s. His name lives on here as one of the West’s most famous explorers.

Today, Lake Powell serves several purposes. It’s a major source of water storage and hydroelectric power, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. But it’s also a huge playground. Boating, fishing, camping, and sightseeing attract visitors from all over the world. With its twisting canyons, hidden coves, and dramatic red rock formations, it’s no wonder this lake has become such a popular destination.

Boating Lake Powell: Last-Minute Magic

On our only full day in Page, we decided to rent a boat to explore Lake Powell. Since it was a Monday in October, we thought it wouldn’t be too hard to find one. We were wrong.

After calling around and striking out, we finally lucked out with Lone Rock Boat Rentals. They were fantastic — met us right at the lake, got us set up with a Bentley pontoon boat (fancy, right?), and even drove us back to our vehicle afterward. They were super friendly, and we’d definitely recommend them.

Lesson learned though: even in the off-season, book your boat online ahead of time. It took us a while to track them down, and we almost didn’t get to go.

Tip: Even in the off-season, reserve your boat online ahead of time. Lesson learned!

Shilo & Maise: Opposites on the Water

The weather was beautiful, and the lake was calm, making for a perfect day on the water. The dogs even came along, and we found a sandy beach where they could stretch their legs.

Maise had no hesitation — she ran straight into the water, splashing and swimming like she was born to do it. Shilo, on the other hand, wanted absolutely nothing to do with the water. She stuck to sniffing the sand and wandering around on dry ground. Watching them act like complete opposites kept us entertained the whole time.

Antelope Canyon by Boat

We also cruised into Antelope Canyon, which was stunning. The tall, twisting red sandstone walls rose up on both sides, and we passed several kayakers paddling through the narrow canyon. The rock formations around Lake Powell were spectacular — massive, sculpted, and unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Future Goals: Camping by the Water

As we explored, we noticed an area where RVs and tents were set up right along the shoreline. The thought hit all of us at once: next time, we’re camping there. Camping right on the water looked incredible, and it’s definitely on our list for a future Lake Powell trip.

Wrap-Up

Our time in Page was short but packed. Between the boat adventure, climbing the rocky hill behind camp, and watching the dogs figure each other out, it was a great start to our trip.

That night we all agreed: Lake Powell completely blew us away. Between the rock formations, peaceful coves, and sandy beaches, it’s a place we’d come back to in a heartbeat.

Family-Friendly Highlights:

- Easy access to hikes from the campground

- Great views and photo ops from the hill behind the site

- Shallow water beaches for dog play and kid fun

- Boat rental experience that even beginners can handle

👉 Next up in Part 2: Escalante, where we braved sandy trails, found the best pizza in town, and discovered just how much energy Maise has when there’s a river involved.