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9 Incredible Destinations for Houseboat Rentals in the U.S.

These houseboat rentals will make you rethink your typical summer vacation.

Sure, you could rent a lakeside cabin or a beach house again for your next vacation. But why not bring those watery vistas full circle by renting a houseboat in a spectacular U.S. location instead?

A houseboat may not first come to mind as your typical vacation rental . But you'll find them listed on websites like Airbnb and VRBO as well as niche sites like Houseboating.org, to name a few, with onboard amenities that range from kayaks and bicycles to waterslides twisting down from the top deck.

There's a lot to love about renting a floating home for a night or longer, with everything you need onboard to cook for yourself (BYO groceries) and sleep comfortably—whether you leave the dock or not. And houseboats often rent for far less than land-based homes in popular vacation destinations like Florida, California, and Minnesota.

But before you book a houseboat, there are a few things to consider.

When a houseboat rental says it sleeps a certain number of people, that doesn't necessarily mean everyone gets a cabin. Dinettes onboard usually convert to a bed, so a houseboat's common space and galley is fair game for sleeping quarters, too.

If your houseboat doesn't come with smaller watercraft onboard—like SUPs and kayaks—you might want to consider renting them, so you can paddle off to explore tight waterways or just get in some exercise during your trip.

If you have a valid unrestricted driver's license, you can rent and captain a houseboat—there's no particular boating license needed to take the helm. The location you rent from will most likely walk you through the basics onboard and take you for a test spin, too, so you can be sure you feel comfortable operating the houseboat. Then it's off cruising you go.

Houseboat rentals are extremely popular around the U.S. during the summer months, so be sure to book with as much advance notice as possible. Read on for some of the best places for a houseboat vacation across the U.S.

Sutton Lake, West Virginia

Sutton Lake has 40 miles of shoreline to explore and clear waters to swim in backed by forested hills, with hundreds of coves to moor in for a night under the inky skies of central West Virginia. There are no commercial developments or homes on the lake, and it's surrounded by public lands home to white-tailed deer, turkeys, and ruffed grouse (there are even rumors that a Bigfoot-type creature roams these forests, so keep an eye out). Sutton Lake Marina has three 59-foot deluxe houseboats for rent, each with an upper deck with a waterslide, a gas grill, and four queen beds to sleep eight people.

Wolf River, Wisconsin

The Great Lakes —and hundreds of other interior lakes—tend to take the watery spotlight in the natural playground that is Wisconsin, where escaping to a lakefront cabin for the glorious summer months is most definitely a thing. But you might want to pass on a cabin in favor of a house boating vacation along the Wolf River near Fremont, Wisconsin, where you can cruise into surrounding lakes like Lake Poygan and Lake Winnebago near Oshkosh and pretty little Partridge Lake, just upstream. Anchor Point Marina rents no-frills houseboats that can sleep up to 10 people.

St. Johns River, Florida

Central Florida's St. Johns River—which, along with the Nile, is among the very few rivers in the world that run north—is a spectacular waterway for renting a houseboat and exploring (do watch out for alligators on the river banks, however). Make sure you make it to Silver Glen Springs, as far north as most rental companies allow their boats to go, where the water turns turquoise blue and crystal clear for swimming. Among the houseboats for rent at Holly Bluff Marina in Deland is the 60-foot-long Silver Glen , which sleeps ten people and has spacious interior lounges as well as a rooftop deck for soaking up the Sunshine State's abundant vitamin D.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Newly designated among the nation's Dark Sky Parks , Northern Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park is a place of exceptional natural beauty—pristine waters, towering pines, and a world-class house boating experience are yours to enjoy here. Near the Canadian Border and the Boundary Waters, the park sprawls across five natural lakes, without a single road running through it. Rent a houseboat with an outfitter like Ebel's Voyageur Houseboats and you can spend your days fishing, picking wild berries, and dipping in the pristine waters. Some of the houseboat models for rent have screened-in porches and decks on all sides, so you can maximize your views of the epic wilderness around you.

Table Rock Lake, Missouri

House boating on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri can be whatever you want it to be—whether that's restaurant and bar hopping at waterfront locales between dips in the lake, or escaping to more remote reaches of this Ozarks reservoir. Table Rock Lake Houseboat Rentals hires out some of the best houseboats in the Ozarks, including the seven-bedroom Carlyle , which sleeps 16 people and has a waterslide, six-person hot tub, and swimming platform at your disposal.

Erie Canal, New York

Stretching some 365 miles from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY and Lake Eerie, the Erie Canal is lined with 19th-century canal towns and modern boat marinas that beg you to set out on a boating adventure. Designed to move in and out of locks and marinas, canal boats (a heartier riff on a houseboat) are available to rent at Erie Macedon Landing —they're the perfect craft for cruising through landscapes where you can visit the wineries of the Finger Lakes region and shop for Amish quilts in villages said to have inspired Norman Rockwell with their quaint beauty.

Everglades National Park, Florida

More than one million visitors find their way to Everglades National Park in Florida every year. But it's safe to say that few of them realize they could venture even deeper into the park's vast wilderness than its trails allow by renting a houseboat from Flamingo Adventures , located deep inside the park at Flamingo Marina. Cruise aboard the 42-foot houseboat , designed to sleep six people, into Whitewater Bay. Manatees and dolphins are commonly seen here, and fishing for species like tarpon, redfish, and speckled trout is considered world-class.

Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon

This Central Oregon reservoir spills its beauty into several river canyons and has 72 miles of shoreline. The lake brims with several species of trout and bass and is surrounded by mostly public lands, lending a pristine appeal. You can rent houseboats that sleep between six and 14 people with Lake Billy Chinook Houseboats and spend a few nights—or longer—exploring. The sight of basalt spires towering overhead, soaring eagles, and color-shifting canyon walls are par for the course views in these parts.

Shasta Lake, California

Less than an hour south of Mt. Shasta in Northern California, Shasta Lake is a favorite California house boating haunt where you can rent a boat like The Empress and motor out to explore the largest manmade lake in the state. Carpeted with tall evergreen trees, the lake's shoreline is mostly steep and mountainous, with many coves and waterfalls to explore when you're not hiking a wilderness trail ashore or tossing out a line to snag one of the lake's prized catches, including king salmon and rainbow trout that go great on your onboard grill.

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19 Destinations Where Houseboat Rentals Beat the Beach

White Houseboat, on the Left, Close to the Shore of Lake Powell, Arizona, Red Rock Mountains by Dave Minkel ( CC BY-NC-ND )

Floating Holiday

Anyone can spend a week at the beach , but renting a houseboat combines a bit of adventure with the comforts of having a private, floating hotel suite. Houseboats typically come with a kitchen, bathrooms, living room, and sleeping quarters, and they're big enough for groups of family members or friends, which can help defray costs, and vacationers can find good rentals through services such as Vrbo , Expedia , Orbitz , and Travelocity . Here are some of the most-recommended houseboat destinations in the U.S. 

Related:   The Best Lakes in All 50 States

Lake Powell

Arizona and Utah Perhaps one of the best-known houseboating locations of all, Lake Powell is known for its striking red sandstone canyons with fascinating hiking opportunities. Popular activities here among houseboaters include water skiing and wakeboarding. The lake has more than 1,800 miles of shoreline, and anglers should know some record-setting fish have been caught there.

  Where to rent: Wahweap Marina , Antelope Point ,  Bullfrog Marina , and Lake Powell Resorts & Marina

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Arizona and Nevada The largest reservoir in the United States, Lake Mead was desert before the construction of the Hoover Dam flooded the area's canyons more than 70 years ago. Today, Lake Mead attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually with its remote coves, canyons, and secluded beaches. The lake's picturesque shores are home to diverse ecosystems and stunning rock formations waiting to be explored.

Where to rent: Callville Bay Marina

Shasta Lake

California Houseboaters are attracted to Shasta Lake for its breathtaking mountain and forest scenery, its hundreds of coves and bays, and its abundant opportunities for recreation. Houseboating here is a great way to explore some of the many caverns and rock formations around the lake's shores. On the western end of the lake is a natural waterslide, and in the Shasta Caverns boaters can find 250-million-year-old stalagmites.

Where to rent: Bridge Bay at Shasta Lake

Table Rock Lake

Missouri Table Rock Lake earns its reputation as a houseboat destination for its tree-lined shores, clear water, and hidden beaches. Its hundreds of miles of forested shoreline offer abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. Unique scuba-diving attractions include an underwater forest, large boulders, and a sunken boat.

Where to rent: Five Star Houseboat Vacations

Related: America's Most Unusual Beaches

St. Johns River

Florida A river that's very slow and wide, the St. Johns is particularly houseboat-friendly. The river borders the Ocala National Forest, and bird-watching is a popular activity, with blue herons, egrets, ospreys, and eagles among the regular sights. One of the most popular houseboat stops is Blue Springs State Park, where manatees are often seen. Adventurous diners will want to stop at the riverside fish camps where they often serve up fresh blue crab and alligator.

Where to rent: Holly Bluff Marina

Voyageurs National Park

Minnesota Offering vast areas of remote forest, waterways, and islands — but no roads — Voyageurs National Park was practically made for houseboating. It covers more than 100 miles along the Canada-Minnesota border. Houseboats are free to cruise Crane Lake, Lake Kabetogama, Lake Namakan, and Kettle Falls. Boaters often spot deer, moose, otters, bald eagles, black bears, and white pelicans.

Where to rent: Ebel's Voyageurs Marina

New York Houseboating along the Erie Canal offers a unique way to explore 524 miles of upstate New York. A remarkable feat of engineering, the canal features stone locks, lift bridges, and guard gates that date back to the 1800s. In addition to miles of scenic waterway, there are also many canal towns and trails to see, such as Palmyra, once known as the "queen of the Erie Canal towns." The town's attractions include museums, festivals, and antique shopping.

Where to rent: Erie Canal Cruise Lines

Suwannee River

Florida A 246-mile black-water river, the Suwannee is home to some of the world's largest and most beautiful springs. Additional highlights include the East Pass area for fishing, where tarpon, redfish, and sea trout abound. Another popular place on the river is Manatee Springs State Park, where boaters can enjoy spotting wildlife, such as deer and manatees.

Where to rent: Gateway Marina

Lake Ouachita

Arkansas Surrounded by a national forest, Lake Ouachita has 970 miles of tree-lined shores and more than 100 uninhabited islands ready to be explored by boat. Not to be missed is the Geo-Float trail, an interpretive trail that guides boaters around the lake, highlighting and describing geological formations unique to the area. Scuba diving is also popular here.

Where to rent: Almost Home Houseboat Rentals

Lake Vermilion

Minnesota Scenic Lake Vermilion has 1,200 miles of shoreline and more than 365 islands. It's also bordered by Superior National Forest. When not island hopping or hiking in the forest, boaters can find superb fishing on the lake, which is home to 12 types of fish, including pike, bass, crappie, and perch.

Where to rent: Lake Vermilion Houseboats

Related: Best Fishing Spots in All 50 States

Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia In the Blue Ridge Mountains in rural southwestern Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is a 32-square-mile body of water with numerous inlets. The lake has become a popular place for wakeboarding, with competitions held throughout the summer. In between all the water activity, boaters can pull into one of the many lakeside pubs and restaurants for some refreshments.

Where to rent: Parrot Cove Marina Boat Rentals & Sales

Lake Cumberland

Kentucky Lake Cumberland boasts 1,200 miles of shoreline, secluded, peaceful coves, and waterfalls. Fall is one of the best times to go, when the foliage is peaking and crowds are thinning. The lake is known as one of the best fishing destinations in the Eastern United States with its largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, sturgeon, and catfish.

Where to rent: Beaver Creek Marina  and Jamestown Resort & Marina

Dale Hollow Lake

Tennessee Dale Hollow Lake is known for being a party spot where nearly every marina rents out houseboats. There's an abundance of deep coves ideal for water skiing and wakeboarding. The smallmouth bass are also plentiful here, a big plus for the fishing enthusiasts.

Where to rent: Sunset Marina and Resort

Shuswap Lake

British Columbia, Canada Boaters are drawn to Shuswap Lake by its beauty and seclusion. Shuswap, about 280 miles from Vancouver, is in a region known for its recreational lakeshore communities, such as the tourist town of Salmon Arm, where there are many beaches, marinas, and the longest wooden wharf in North America.

Where to rent: Twin Anchors Marina

Lake Billy Chinook

Oregon Sure, it's possible to admire the cliffs here from the shore, but exploring the landscape of this canyon lake via houseboat is far more intriguing, thanks to the lake's narrow width, which averages 0.22 miles and accentuates the towering cliffs. The lake, about 150 miles from Portland, has 75 miles of shoreline and is also known for its trout fishing.

Where to rent: Cove Palisades Marina

Related: 22 Beautifully Serene Lakes Around the World

Norris Lake

Tennessee Norris Lake is the largest reservoir along the Tennessee River's many tributaries, and despite numerous marinas on the shores of this lake, it still has a peaceful atmosphere thanks to hundreds of miles of a wild, forested shoreline. Boaters should not miss the many coves and picturesque tree-lined inlets. Anglers will also be interested to know the largest brown trout ever caught in the Tennessee was hooked here.

Where to rent: Beach Island Resort & Marina  and Norris Lake Houseboat Rentals

Lake of the Woods

Minnesota This massive lake — more than 1,679 square miles with a shoreline of 25,000 miles — straddles parts of Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota, and it gets high marks from boaters for its beauty. Boaters may not see many people during their trips here, according to Houseboating.org, but they will likely see all sorts of animals, including bears, deer, and pelicans. This lake, which has thousands of islands, is best visited during summer when the water temperatures are more inviting.

Where to rent: Ontario Wilderness Houseboat Rental  and Houseboat Adventures

Raystown Lake

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's largest inland lake, 8,000-acre Raystown Lake has beaches, hiking trails, marina concession stands, and public-access areas. The land around the lake remains largely undeveloped, which means there are about 80 miles of quiet shoreline available for docking each evening.

Where to rent: Seven Points Marina

Upper Mississippi River

Alma, Wisconsin Another top houseboating destination, the upper Mississippi is also among the most unique. In addition to offering hundreds of miles of shoreline and numerous islands to explore, there are many quaint river towns to visit. Excursions here can also include the St. Croix River, known for its river towns and sandy beaches.

Where to rent: Fun 'n the Sun  

Need more travel ideas? We have lots to share right here.

Houseboat Vacation Destinations

For the ultimate boating vacation, nothing beats spending time on a houseboat with your family and friends. Here are some popular houseboating destinations, along with listings of vacation rentals.

And, if you're interested in learning more about houseboats, be sure to read our guide on HouseBoats & Houseboat Living .

Our Boat Buyer's Guide can also walk you through all the necessary steps in your journey towards boat ownership. A good place to start is with our Boat Finder Tool , which can help you discover the right boat type for you based on preferred activities, how many passengers you'll be bringing onboard, and if you're interested in a trailerable boat.

Explore the Boat Finder Tool

1. Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon

A canyon lake, deep and narrow, but not so narrow to deter a houseboat, Lake Billy Chinook flows between the deep carved banks of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Rivers. With it’s unique geography, boating between the dramatic cliffs of Lake Billy Chinook is unlike any other boating experience you’ll ever have anywhere else. Lake Billy Chinook Houseboat Rentals

2. Crane Lake, Minnesota

Located in Northern Minnesota and interconnected with Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake offers one-quarter-million acres of waterways in one of the largest chains of inland lakes in North America. Voyagaire Houseboat Rentals

3. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky

Some would say Lake Cumberland is THE Houseboat Capital of the World. It’s the largest lake by volume in the US east of the Mississippi River, and boasts 1,200 miles of shoreline on three state parks and the Daniel Boone National Forest. Lake Cumberland Houseboat Rentals

4. Lake Havasu (Arizona, California)

Situated on the California and Arizona border, Lake Havasu is popular with both Spring Breakers and families alike. It is a true houseboaters’ paradise, with over 60 miles of navigable waterways set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Mohave Mountains, plus easy access to the nightlife of Havasu City. Lake Havasu Houseboat Rentals

5. Lake Mead (Arizona, Nevada)

Located near California on the Arizona and Nevada border, Lake Mead is less than one hour’s drive from Las Vegas (but a world away in every other sense). It is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States. Lake Mead offers sparkling blue waters, stunning red rock canyons and cliffs on over 550 miles of shoreline. Lake Mead Houseboat Rentals

6. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Located in the heart of Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks is yet another houseboaters’ paradise. Considered to be the "Midwest Coast", it is the largest man-made, non-flood control lake in the United States, with over 1,150 miles of shoreline. Lake of the Ozarks Houseboat Rentals

7. Lake Powell (Utah, Arizona)

On the Colorado River, mostly in Utah and partially in Arizona, Lake Powell is the second largest man-made reservoir in the United States, with over 1,900 of shoreline. Lake Powell Houseboat Rentals

8. Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania

With 118 miles of forested shoreline, 30 miles of navigable waters, plus over 21,000 acres of largely unspoiled land, Raystown Lake is a popular vacation destination for Northeasterners. Raystown Lake Houseboat Rentals

9. Lake Roosevelt, Washington State

Over 630 miles of shoreline and often about a mile wide, houseboating on Lake Roosevelt can have the feel of river navigation. Lake Roosevelt’s shores are tribal territory and a national recreation area, so vacationers can freely pull up to the sandy cove of their choice, and there are plenty to choose from. Lake Roosevelt Houseboat Rentals

10. Lake Shasta, California

Just like fans of Lake Cumberland, Lake Shasta enthusiasts also claim it to be the "Houseboating Capital of the World". With over 370 miles of forested, mountainous shoreline, Lake Shasta offers warm, clear and calm waters, perfect for swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Lake Shasta Houseboat Rentals

11. Lake of the Woods (Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba)

Lake of the Woods, a giant in comparison to other houseboating lakes, boasts over 65,000 miles of shoreline and over 14,500 islands. These stunning international waters border Minnesota, Manitoba and Ontario. Take a houseboat out on Lake of the Woods, and you’re not likely to see anyone else for days, although you’ll see plenty of wildlife. For those who truly like to "get away from it all", Lake of the Woods is an ideal vacation destination. Lake of the Woods Houseboat Rentals

Read Next: Houseboats & Houseboat Living

You Might Also Like:

• The Ultimate Boat Buyer's Guide
• Best Lakes in the U.S.
• Boat Loan Calculator: Estimate Your Monthly Payment
• Houseboat Movers and Tips for Transport
• Choosing the Right Boat: Buying Guide for Recreational Boating

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Your Home, Away From It All

Imagine all the comforts of home—comfy beds, great living space, a fully appointed kitchen and a solid sound system—on your private houseboat, surrounded by Lake Powell’s breathtaking scenery. One of the best things about houseboating is that even a first-time boater can learn how to pilot a houseboat after just a short lesson, taught by our expert staff. Once you’re underway, you’ll be off and exploring one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the country—home to 96 major side canyons and nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline.

We Make it Easy

We provide everything you need to have the vacation of a lifetime.

Vacation Planning >

The Marinas

Two great locations; Wahweap Marina in Arizona and Bullfrog Marina in Utah.

Explore Bullfrog, UT (North Lake >

Explore Wahweap, AZ (South Lake) >

With a wide variety of houseboat models, we have something for everyone.

Compare Houseboats >

Powerboats, Personal Watercraft & Water Toys

Got the need for speed? We have just the thing.

Powerboat & Watercraft Rentals >

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You've got questions, we've got answers!

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Photo Gallery | Maps | Points of Interest: North Lake , South Lake

How to Take the Houseboat Vacation of Your Dreams This Summer

The relaxing vacation that’s a little like a camping trip with all the amenities, a little like a private river cruise, and a whole lot of fun..

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A docked boat waiting for adventure in Nackawic, New Brunswick

Photo by A For Adventure for Lakeway Houseboat Vacations

Long summer days are best spent on the water soaking up the sun. You can lounge by a pool, surf off a beach, or splash around in a lake, but the truly aquatically inclined should consider taking it a step further. On a houseboat vacation, you’ll actually live on the water, but you’ll also be able to dock or beach and enjoy land whenever you want. It opens two worlds: that of water sports and a wealth of hard-to-get-to shore activities. You can spend your days exploring waterways and cruising around coastlines, all while having the comforts of home at your fingertips.

By definition, the houseboat is no ordinary boat: The vessels have more amenities than you could ever imagine. They’re spacious enough to hold large groups, and many feature hot tubs, slides, grills, fully equipped kitchens, big-screen televisions, and even fireplaces. Plus, you can go swimming right off your back deck. These floating vacation rentals are actually not difficult to use and are available on lakes and rivers across the country, so it’s easier than you might think to get out on the water this summer with a houseboat vacation.

Some houseboats even have waterslides.

Courtesy of Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats

Who can rent a houseboat

Anyone can rent and enjoy a houseboat. Usually you don’t even need special licensing or prior experience to operate houseboat rentals; sometimes all you need is a valid driver’s license.

Even a first-time boater can learn how to pilot a houseboat after a short lesson. Navigational procedures, how to beach and tie off, and other boating maneuvers are typically explained and demonstrated upon rental. However, each state has different pilot regulations, so be sure to check with your boat rental company before you go.

Houseboating is ideal for families or a large group of friends, and it’s even better if you get multiple boats to cruise around in your own flotilla. Because there is a good mix of activities, you can split up during the day and still all come back together at night to eat under the stars and share the hot tub. Get a group together who can go with the flow and get along well in a small space.

Even though houseboats can sleep up to 16 people, you’ll still be living in 800 to 1,100 square feet. As with an RV, it’s close quarters; every bit of space has a purpose, and you’ll likely have to share bedrooms.

How to prepare for a houseboat vacation

While in most cases you will be able to dock your houseboat and get any supplies you need, save yourself the hassle and do all of that grocery shopping before you get on the boat. But go wild with your meal plan—most boats have very modern kitchens as well as outdoor grills. You may want to bring some extra coolers and ice for your beverages; it’ll save you refrigerator space.

If you are worried you may get bored cruising around on a houseboat, don’t be. You can do as much or little as you want. You can swim, grill, fish, watch for wildlife, rent Jet Skis or other motorboats, lay on the beach or the deck, hike, play games, and stargaze.

Where to try houseboating this summer

With the variety of lakes and rivers in North America, you’re never far from a houseboating opportunity. Here are four spots to get you started:

St. John River, New Brunswick, Canada

• Book now : lakewayhouseboats.com , from $1,380 for a three-day weekend on a boat that sleeps six; 10- and 14-person boats also available.

The mature old-growth forest landscape on the Mactaquac Lake district of the St. John River in New Brunswick is a perfect place to try houseboating. There is only one houseboat operator on this river, so you will practically have the waterway to yourself. It’s easy to find secluded little coves where you can park and go hiking, play a round of golf, visit Kings Landing Living History Park , or see the world’s largest axe in Nackawic. The river is wide, and there is little traffic, so you can just drift and spend your time sliding off the top deck into the refreshing water.

Because Lakeway Houseboat Vacations is the only operator in the area, you should reserve well in advance. The houseboat company will give you advice on the best mooring spots and a loose itinerary including what to visit if you are new to the area.

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

• Book now : houseboatingarkansas.com , from $4,200 for four days; sleeps 10.

Plopped in the middle of green-forested mountains, Arkansas’s largest lake boasts pristine, clear water. It’s best known for its abundant fishing and excellent scuba diving; you can dive or swim here with hundreds of nonstinging, freshwater jellyfish just off your boat. August and September are peak months for jellyfish sightings, when Lake Ouachita’s water is warm and the creatures’ food is abundant. If you’d rather not swim with the jellies, cruise along to one of the lake’s 100 uninhabited islands to explore this area on foot.

Wake Zone Luxury Houseboat Rentals has boats that sleep up to 16 people. The rental company will deliver supplies such as groceries or medicine to your boat, and it also offers captain services to park and moor the boat for no extra charge. Of course, if you would rather pilot your own houseboat, you can do that too.

Sunset paddleboarding on the St. John River

Lake Shasta, California

• Book now : shastalake.net , from $405 per day for a boat that sleeps 14. Capacity and rates of the fleet vary. For a larger group the Sumerset Houseboat , from $895/day, sleeps 20.

With 365 miles of shoreline, it’s no wonder Lake Shasta has been dubbed the “Houseboating Capital of California.” On any given day there can be up to 450 houseboat rentals on the lake, but the lake is so large, it rarely feels crowded. While Lake Shasta is best known for its water sports—wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, jetskiing, kayaking, windsurfing, and swimming—there’s no shortage of land activities. Hike through the evergreens on shore with Mount Shasta’s scenic snow-capped peak looming in the background. Or visit the Shasta Caverns, created 200 million years ago.

Shasta Marina at Packers Bay has been renting houseboats for 20 years. It will also rent Jet Skis with your boat if you have the need for speed. The area is busiest in the summer months when water temperatures reach 78 degrees.

Crane Lake, Minnesota

• Book now : voyagaire.com , from $335 per day for a boat that sleeps six. Capacity and rates of the fleet vary.

Cruise around a national park at the water-based Voyageurs National Park . Created in 1971, the park encompasses land and water areas. Pick up your houseboat rental on Crane Lake, just outside of the park, and cruise into Voyageurs. In this water wonderland, you’ll navigate the same waterways that hardy trappers and traders relied upon over 250 years ago. The area is great for wildlife viewing. Enjoy cool summer nights and warm water in July and August, or go in September to have a chance of viewing the northern lights from the top deck. Or simply curl up onboard with your favorite book and listen to the call of the loon at twilight.

Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboat Rentals provides boat-to-lodge radio communications around the clock so that you can get questions answered immediately. It will even deliver special food and beverage requests to your boat.

This article originally appeared online in June 2018; it was updated on May 10, 2019, to include current information.

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Houseboat Packing List: The Ultimate Packing List for Your Houseboat Trips

• December 27, 2019
• / Houseboat Lifestyle
• / By HomeAboard

Figuring out exactly what to put on your houseboat packing list is a major challenge and not something that we take lightly. A houseboat packing list has two very different factors working in opposite directions on it. 

The first factor is space. On a rental houseboat, space is limited. Because everything you bring is going to take up space, it’s important that you only bring the stuff that you are going to use. This helps to ensure that your group will have enough space to enjoy your houseboat rental.

The other factor affecting your houseboat packing list is the remoteness of a houseboat rental. Part of the reason why you are renting a houseboat is to get away from the busy world. This means that there won’t be access to a lot of the essentials that you are used to in the city.

This means that when you are making your houseboat packing list you are bringing everything you need, but none of the stuff you don’t. Luckily we have gone through and have a complete guide for packing for a houseboat trip. 

What Clothes to Bring on A Houseboat Trip

What clothing to bring on a houseboat trip is always a question that comes up as you and your family are planning for your houseboat vacation. The last thing you want to do is bring too little clothes, but at the same time, you don’t want to be going back and forth hauling suitcases that you won’t need.

Like anything it’s important to find the right balance. In order to do this, there are a few questions you need to think about. 

Does your houseboat have a washer and dryer? 

If it does, then obviously you can cut down the number of clothes that you will be bringing. With that said, you don’t want to be running the washer, and especially the dryer all day since they will heat up the boat.

What is the weather going to be like?

While you always hope for sunny and hot weather on a houseboat, the reality is that depending on when your houseboat vacation is, there might be some cooler days. If this is the case you might want to bring a couple of extra cooler weather items just to keep you warm.

Overall we suggest under packing for your trip. Hopefully, you get great weather and will be spending the majority of the days in your bathing suit. Our rule of thumb is to pack one top and one bottom for each day. This gives you enough to be safe and normally doesn’t take up too much space.

One area where you probably want to risk overpacking is with your swimsuits. There’s a very real chance that you will be swimming multiple times during the day. This means that if you get out of your swimsuit you will need to put on a wet swimsuit. If you have ever experienced this then you know how uncomfortable this can be. As a result, we suggest two swimsuits for your houseboat trip

Another thing you will notice is that you will probably be going up and down the docks quite a bit. Most docks are made from old wood that is not in the best shape so you will see a lot of splinters on a daily basis. Because of this, we recommend having a pair of shoes that serve as your dock shoes. This will help protect your feet from splinters and the hot surfaces that you will experience on most docks and even the parts of your houseboat that are in the sun. You can checkout Better Boating's full this list here

Evening Stuff

One thing that comes as a surprise to people who are thinking about what to pack for a houseboat vacation is the need for some cool weather gear. When you go on vacation on a houseboat you will more than likely be sitting outside at night to enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake at night. More often than not people are surprised by how cool it gets during the evening. We always pack at least one long sleeve shirt and one hoodie per person.

What Water Toys to Bring on a Houseboat Trip

One of the key things to enjoying a great houseboat vacation is determining what water items you need to bring. These are an essential part of not only enjoying your trip but also staying safe on the water.

Life Jackets

The first thing that you will need to think about, and put on, are life jackets. We are big believers in everyone on the boat wearing life jackets when the boat is in motion. You never know the bumps that you will hit that might send someone overboard. The guys at FamilyVacationCritic.com have done a great job of breaking down the best life jackets for your family. You can read their full breakdown here . 

We would also recommend bringing some type of throwable flotation device. A throwable flotation device is just what it sounds like. This is something that you can quickly throw to a person in the water that they can grab a hold of and be pulled into safety. This can be useful if someone goes over or has found themselves too far away from the boat. To find the best throwable flotation devices you can go here .

Once you have ensured that you have the right life jacket for everyone in your group you can start getting into the fun stuff. Whether you are looking to relax in the water or give your kids something to play on, bringing the right floats is critical to having the best houseboat vacation.

Floats for Everyone

Kids love climbing on, wrestling on, and jumping off floats. This is a long-held kid activity that can have them spending hours in the water enjoying themselves. The exact float that you may want can vary from the raft to ride on but we suggest you check out the complete list here .

There is nothing more relaxing than floating in the water with your favorite people and enjoying your beverage. While the kids need s float to climb and wrestle on, a float for you to relax and lay in is equally important. There are multiple considerations that need to be made here but for a full breakdown of the best lake floats for relaxing adults you can check out this great list but we've found this Throw Bag from Bass Pro Shops tends to be perfect.

While the kids are sure to be climbing and wrestling and jumping it always helps to add a few toys to the mix as well. From throwing toys to squirting toys there has been an explosion in the different things that you can play within the water, this list has some of the best ones at an affordable price .

What Sun Protection Should I Bring on My Houseboat Trip

One of the best parts about being out on a houseboat is the amount of sun that you will be getting. This is also one of the reasons it’s so important to come fully equipped to protect yourself, and your family, from the sun. The water magnifies the power of the sun and there really isn’t much shade on the water. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure you have all of your essentials covered.

Sunscreen is an absolute must for any houseboat vacation. While there are a whole host of different brands and protection level, you should really stay above SPF 15 at a minimum. In addition, it’s important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. 

We like to keep a timer that goes off every three hours so that it serves as a reminder for our family to reapply sunscreen. Really any timer that can be reset over a couple of hours will do the job. 

A simple way to keep yourself totally safe in the sun is a sun hat. The construction of these hats continues to get better and they can now effectively cover your whole head and neck and keep it safe from the sun. Many now are constructed from material that also keeps you cool and while giving you some relief from the hot summer days in the water. You can see a full breakdown by the guys at the OutdoorGearLab here but our favorite items are this hat for men and this for women .

Another important item that you will want to bring on your trip is sunglasses. The glare from the water can be pretty extreme and you’ll quickly get tired of spending the whole day squinting. You can give your eyes some welcome relief with a nice pair of sunglasses. You can check out this great breakdown of sunglasses from our friends at Boats.com here  

The last thing is something that most people don’t think about. If you’ve ever had your lips sunburned before you know just how painful it can be. To avoid this you should bring a simple chapstick with an SPF rating of at least 50.

How to Plan Meals on a Houseboat Trip

One of the toughest things to do when thinking about what to pack for a houseboat trip is to determine the food you are going to bring. You know that you will get hungry while you are on the boat, especially with how much activity you will probably be doing. 

The problem is, you have to bring all of your food with you. While there are normally some marina stores, they don’t have much in the way of food and what they do have is normally overpriced. This is why it’s so critical to come prepared with a great plan for food on your houseboat vacation.

Snacks are a critical part of preparing for your houseboat trip. While each family has a preference when it comes to snacks, you will need to have some salty snacks on board. As your bodies continue to sweat from being in the hot sun you will find it calling out for salty snacks. Whatever your family likes, make sure you have a variety of salty snacks to help replace some of the salt that is lost in sweat.

Recipes 

Our first recommendation would be to check out our recipes page . Every week we release a recipe that is specifically designed for houseboats. This means that all of these meals have a small number of ingredients, are easy to cook, and will fill your family up. 

Every family structures their meals a little differently but we have found there are few common factors. First, you will need to have one big meal a day. For most families it’s dinner, but some families prefer to have a big lunch. Either way, these daily large meals should be the meals that you plan first.

Next, most families have some sort of lighter, secondary meal. With most families that have a big dinner, they will have a light lunch, while families that make lunch their main meal will have a smaller dinner. In order to limit cooking as much as possible, we like to have our main meal stretch into the next day’s smaller meal. That means if we are making chicken tacos for dinner on Saturday, we might do nachos for lunch the next day. This lets us use all of the food that we brought, and only requires us to reheat the meal from the previous night.

When it comes to breakfast you have to go with what your family prefers. We are a big breakfast family so we will bring some simple breakfast items like eggs and bacon and stuff for biscuits and gravy. This allows us to start the day with a full stomach so that we can get by with a light lunch.

One thing that you will notice on a dock is that ice is a key resource. When hot weather rolls in, everyone wants to have cool drinks. If you go to the marina and check the ice you can see this desire reflected by their prices. This is why it’s critical that you bring ice down and have enough coolers to keep stuff at the desired temperature.

When it comes to ice we actually recommend bringing a couple of different varieties. Obviously you should have your cubed ice. This fits great in coolers and drinks and is a staple of the dock. The thing that most people don’t think about is having a block of ice as well. When you bring a block of ice in a cooler it is going to last a long time and help keep the items in that cooler for longer. This lets you use your cubed ice for drinks and saves a lot in the long run.

Another, long term option is to purchase your own ice maker. This may seem a little extreme but if you own a boat, it's a must have. Even if you don't own a boat, it's a great add to your house that increases your freezers life span. We recommend a simple one like this option .

One of the most critical items to bring for your houseboat trip is a high-quality cooler. This will serve as your base of operations for the majority of your drinks and help to keep everyone cool. You will quickly find that keeping this main cooler stocked with ice and drinks is a great way to ensure everyone is happy.

There are a lot of different coolers on the market but it’s safe to say that DiscountCoolerSales.com has the definitive guide on coolers . A rule of thumb for coolers is that in general, you get what you pay for. The higher quality coolers tend to be a bit more expensive, but they will also help prevent you from having to constantly buy ice and restock the cooler.

In addition to having one base cooler, you should also have a couple of secondary coolers. On the way to the boat, this is the perfect place to put the meat that you are bringing. This helps ensure that if there is a leak in the bag that it won’t ruin the rest of your drinks. Obviously, this should be a good, smaller cooler. Once you get to the boat you can rinse it out and use it as a cooler to take on hikes, fishing, or on any excursion you want.

Kitchen Essentials

One thing to consider is that you will not be in your home kitchen. While most rental houseboats come with some of the basics like silverware, basic pots and pans, and utensils, there is nothing to guarantee that you will have everything you need. This means that you will need to pack anything you need to make your meals.

For us, one of the absolute essentials is the crockpot. We use our crockpot, and crockpot liners, frequently and have found that it the easiest way to cook a meal with limited cleanup. The team at EatThisNotThat have done a great job breaking down all of the top options here .

One more thing to think about is that you will not have any of the spices you had at home waiting for you. This means that you will need to bring every spice that you are putting in the dish. This is one of the reasons why we are big fans of preparing the meals beforehand so that we can just dump them into the crockpot and let them eat. You can see some of our best prepare before meals here.

Leftovers are a vital part of any eating plan. If you plan on storing any of your food it’s a great idea to bring some sort of aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap. Another important item to remember are the ziplock bags for leftovers or carrying snacks . These will go a long way in letting you stretch one meal into two and limit the cooking, and clean up, you have to do.

The last thing we have on our list of essential items is water. More than likely your family is going to be going through a lot of water on their trip. We like to carry three different types of water to ensure that we have enough. We will get a couple of packs of the small water bottles to take with us but we actually use 5-gallon containers of water (the ones with the spicket) as our main source of water. By putting this in the fridge our whole family has access to high-quality drinking water that is cold and refreshing. The final type of water we bring is a couple of gallons of water for the coffee maker. 

What Linens to Bring on a Houseboat Trip

The sleeping arrangements on a houseboat trip are always something that needs to be considered before the trip and planned accordingly. Getting a good night’s sleep is critical if you plan on taking full advantage of your houseboat rental. One of the best ways to do this is by thinking through your sleeping arrangements before you arrive.

One item that people tend not to bring on their houseboat trip, and then find themselves wishing for is some sort of sleeping bag or blow-up mattress. Almost every houseboat trip I have been on has had a person who struggled with the motion of the houseboat and struggled to sleep in their assigned bed. This is normally a result of the confined space in the bedrooms and the rocking that the boat does at night. 

The only real answer I have found has been to sleep in the salon. This open space takes away the feeling of the rocking and makes it easier to sleep. This is why we suggest that you always bring at least one sleeping bag or blow-up mattress. This gives people an option to sleep out in the salon if their room isn’t a good option. You can find a great breakdown of the best sleeping bags here and the best blow-up mattresses here.

Another thing that is worth thinking about bringing is an extra pillow or two. Beyond making things more comfortable, it can also be useful if you have a member sleeping on the couch or in their sleeping bag.

Another important thing to make sure you pack is your towels. Again you need to prepare for the situation. Chances are you are going to be in and out of the water throughout the whole day. This means a lot of drying off as the day goes on. 

While you might have a dryer on board, you won’t want to spend the whole day running it and heating up the houseboat. Instead, you can use the natural power of the sun and dry your towel on the top deck. If you are going to do this though, you will want a second towel to use while the first one is drying

What to Pack for a Rainy Day on a Houseboat

While you hope you will have nothing but sunshine and blue skies, the reality is that you can’t ever know when the storm clouds are going to come in. In case you do get a stretch of bad weather, you will be thankful you thought ahead and packed some things that still allow you to have a good time.

The worst part of being on a houseboat in the rain is that there really isn’t a whole lot of space. Houseboats are designed to maximize every inch of the boat, but the reality is there just isn’t that much. This means that you will need to find ways of entertaining your group that don’t take too much space.

For the money and their versatility, there is nothing better than a deck of cards. A deck of cards can go a long way in having fun in rainy weather. We have found this book  to be one of the best ways to find new card games to play.

Another popular option is board games. When stuck inside a board game like Monopoly can really get the competitive juices flowing and make a day that could have been disappointing a lot of fun.

Don’t underestimate the value of DVDs. Sometimes putting on a dumb comedy like Taledaga Nights (or just about any Will Ferrell Movie) makes for a great way to enjoy the time together, especially as the night winds down. One thing to think about is that the majority of lakes receive poor cell phone signal so it may be difficult to stream your movie choice. That’s why we recommend a DVD collection like these classic Will Ferrell Movies .

Bringing Your Music on a Houseboat Trip

One thing that has to make it on the top of your houseboat packing list is a way to listen to your music. A day on the water just doesn’t seem complete without some John Cougar Mellencamp or Jimmy Buffet. The downside is that most lakes, especially in the Tennessee Valley Region, are surrounded by mountains and don’t receive a strong signal. Meanwhile, the local radio stations are spotty at best. This means if you want to get the music you might want, you will need to look at downloading your music before you go.

One option for this is Pandora/Spotify Premium. This is a great service that allows you to download your favorite stations and playlists so you always have access to your music. 

When it comes to the actual music you have a couple of different options. The safest option is to bring your own Bluetooth Speaker. Obviously, the threat of water is pretty high on a houseboat, so you will want to make sure whatever Bluetooth speaker you bring is waterproof. I would recommend checking out this list   for a great breakdown of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers or you could go with our pick here .

If you are confident that your boat will have a good set of speakers you can actually tap into the boat’s speaker system in two different ways. The first, and highest quality option, is with a Bluetooth receiver. Bluetooth receivers are great for boats (and cars) that have Aux inputs. You can connect your Bluetooth receiver to the Aux input and then pair your phone with it to send your music directly through your boat’s speakers. For a great list of Bluetooth receivers check out this resource .

If your boat radio doesn’t have an Aux input then you can still connect to it through your Bluetooth. In this case, you will want to find a Bluetooth Transmitter. These are great options for older stereos, and because there are so few radio channels on lakes, you will get great reception. These Bluetooth transmitters work by pairing with your phone to get the audio, and then sending it out through an FM signal to your radio. You can read a full buying guide on them here .

Whichever path you decide to go, make sure that you have your music downloaded so that you won’t have to worry about getting signal while you are out on the lake.

Babyproofing Your Houseboat

One thing that people ask all the time is how to baby proof a houseboat. While it can be scary to take a baby out on the water, if you are careful and follow some basic steps, it’s actually an amazing way to enjoy your time as a family. 

The first thing you will need to do is make sure that your baby always has a life jacket on. Nothing is as terrifying as the thought of a baby overboard which is why we have a rule that if the baby is out of the indoor section of the boat, they need to have a life jacket on. You can check out this full list of infant life jackets here .

Another useful item are baby gates. These will allow you to let you child roam a little bit, while still keeping them out of the more dangerous parts of the boat. You can check out this list of the top baby gates for every situation here .

As a whole, it really comes down to using common sense and keeping your little one safe and in a life jacket. If you can do this, you will find that taking a baby on the water is a great way for them to get used to the water and can help ease the transition of getting them into swim lessons. I would recommend checking out this guide for a more complete list . While it isn’t specific for a houseboat, it will help give you some ideas and things to look out for.

Other Essentials for Your Houseboat Packing List

There are a variety of other things that will make your houseboat vacation trip much more comfortable if you include them on your houseboat packing list. These don’t really fit in any one specific category but are definitely worth mentioning.

One item that is useful for hanging out late at night on the porch is a lantern. Obviously, if the power goes out this becomes an essential item, but even when you have full power they are great on the front porch of your houseboat. Brighter lights tend to attract more bugs, so by using a lantern, you will have enough light to see, but not enough that you attract all the bugs in the surrounding areas. I would recommend making your pick from this great list.

It seems like there is an endless need for rope on a boat. If you are planning on tieing up on shore you will definitely need a lot of rope, but even if you are just planning on cruising around all day, it’s nice to have some extra rope. There has never been a time on a boat where I have wanted less rope, but I can tell you there have been several times where I needed more rope. This doesn't have to be anything fancy, this 100' rope should get the job done .

If you are planning on tieing up on shore I would also recommend bringing some aluminum pie tins. If you take these and thread your ropes through them it will stop anything from crawling up your ropes and onto your boat. This will help ensure you don’t have any uninvited overnight guests.

There is no shortage of sun on the lake. While it’s really nice to get into the sun and soak up some rays, it’s equally nice to cool off in the shade. The problem that you may start to find is that the boat has limited areas of shade and they can quickly get filled up. 

To find this shade many people have started bringing a canopy and setting it up once the boat has arrived at their location. Obviously, you don’t want to be cruising along with your canopy up, but once you reach your destination this can be a great way of increasing the shade on your boat. You can check out a full list of the best canopies here .

Whichever Canopy you go with, make sure you bring something to keep the legs weighed down so the canopy doesn't blow away in the wind. We recommend this set of canopy bags which are easy to apply and very low profile.

Bungee Cords

Similar to rope, it seems like you almost need a bungee cord to keep something attached. Their application is almost universal and can really help secure items to the boat. This can be especially useful if you bring a canopy to increase the amount of shade that you get on the top deck. When it comes to grabbing your bungee cords, I would recommend getting a variety set that has multiple different lengths like this one .

Camping Chairs

Finding seating on a boat can be a tough task. There’s nothing worse than having more people than chairs and spending your houseboat vacation trying to make sure you have a seat. 

This is one of the reasons we recommend bringing some camping chairs. They’re easy to pack and move and put away when you don’t need them, but when you do need them, you’ll be happy they’re there. Here’s a list of some of the top camping chairs . 

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Lake Powell Houseboat Trip Itinerary & Navigating The Lake (Part 3)

By Author Jake Junda

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

Categories Arizona , Travel Guides , Utah

If you are taking a houseboat trip on Lake Powell, how do you know where to go, or how to get around the lake? This massive lake in Utah and Arizona sets the scene for quite possibly the best place to houseboat in the world. But it takes preparation to plan your itinerary, navigate the lake safely, and anchor your houseboat at night.

This is Part 3 of my Lake Powell Houseboat Trip Guide. This section is all about what to do once you finally depart from the marina.

I share some sample trip itineraries with the best places on Lake Powell. I also cover how to navigate your houseboat around the lake, how to anchor at night, and other helpful information.

If you missed the previous parts of this guide, it’s best to start from the beginning.

• Part 1: How To Plan A Lake Powell Houseboat Trip: Assemble Your Crew, Book A Houseboat Reservation
• Part 2: What To Bring On A Lake Powell Houseboat Trip & Preparing For Departure

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy .

Where To Go On Your Lake Powell Trip

So, you have finally left the marina with your houseboat, what should you do now?

There’s no right or wrong way to explore Lake Powell. But, personally my favorite scenery is near the middle of the lake. And it’s also where the lake is less crowded. So I usually structure our trip itinerary around getting to the middle of the lake.

This means boating north if you are leaving from Wahweap Marina, or heading south if you are starting at Bullfrog Marina.

There are so many awesome places to go on Lake Powell it can be overwhelming to decide. But if you are leaving from Bullfrog Marina, you will probably stay in the northern half of the lake. And if you leave from Wahweap you will probably stay in the southern half of the lake.

Yes, technically you could make it to the other side of the lake, but you would burn a ton of gas and time. And I’m guessing you didn’t rent a houseboat because you want to spend most of your trip driving from one side of the lake to the other.

Or if you traverse the entire lake in a powerboat, you can do it a lot faster, but still, you would be burning a ton of gas. And you may not be able to fit your whole crew on your powerboat.

So we feel that the best Lake Powell Itinieraries strike a balance between exploration and relaxation. This involves setting realistic travel goals for each day.

If you are really serious about exploring the nooks and crannies of Lake Powell, I highly recommend getting a guidebook . There is simply too much information to cover in this blog post.

With a guidebook, you will have highly detailed information about everything there is to explore on Lake Powell. And importantly, you can still access the information even when you don’t have cell service during the trip.

But even without a guidebook, I can share some of our favorite places to explore.

Getting to those spots on the lake will somewhat dictate your itinerary. For example, if you want to get to Reflection Canyon from Bullfrog Marina, you likely won’t be able to make that voyage all in one day. So you will have to break up that distance into a few days of travel.

But you also need to keep your goals manageable, because you probably don’t want to spend too much of your vacation time just driving from A to B.

The three major factors for building the perfect Lake Powell Houseboat Trip itinerary are:

• Length of your trip
• What are you trying to see/do
• Available beaches to anchor

In our experience, the south half of the lake has many more suitable beaches than the north. So south Lake Powell trips seem to benefit from the flexibility of plenty of sandy beaches.

But if you are renting from Bullfrog Marina, your itinerary is influenced more by reaching the good beach spots.

If you want to see something that’s really far from the marina, you may want to structure your itinerary to break up the travel into multiple days.

Or if you have people showing up late or leaving early, you may want to structure your itinerary to stay closer to the marina.

It’s helpful to learn the major bays and side canyons to help get your bearings. The major bays and canyons on Lake Powell are (From South To North) Wahweap Bay, Navajo Canyon, Warm Creek Bay, Gunsight Bay, Padre Bay, Last Chance Bay, Rock Creek Bay, San Juan River, Escalante River, and Hall’s Creek Bay, Bullfrog Bay, and Good Hope Bay.

But when considering the size of Lake Powell, you only really need to familiarize yourself with the North or South side of the lake (depending on where you leave from).

Because logistically, most houseboat trips on Lake Powell just stick to one side of the lake.

Castle Rock Shortcut (AKA ‘The Cut’)

One important feature of Lake Powell’s geography is a small channel connecting Wahweap Bay and Warm Creek Bay. It’s called Castle Rock Cut or “The Cut” for short. When traveling north from Wahweap, it serves as a massive short cut to quickly moving north on the lake (and vice versa).

Without it, boats need to travel the long way around Antelope Island.

However, it is only open to boats when the water level is high enough. And with water in the west becoming more scarce, The Cut is open less frequently.

Even in the “good” water year of 2023, it was only open for one week in August. But in other recent years, it has not opened at all.

Still, it’s something worth asking about when you visit, because it can save about an hour of travel time.

Best Places To Go On Lake Powell

Listed South to North

Wahweap Bay (Lone Rock Beach)

Wahweap Bay is the southernmost bay on Lake Powell, and the location of Wahweap Marina. This wide open bay has plenty of space for boating and many sandy beaches. Surrounded by mostly white sandstone.

To the western end, you find Lone Rock Beach, named for the giant monolithic tower ‘Lone Rock’ in the middle of the bay.

Lone Rock Beach is one of the few campgrounds on the lake that allows car access. It’s a very popular area packed with RVs, trailers, campers, and more. For this reason, we typically avoid this area on our Lake Powell Houseboat Itineraries. But if you need to stay close to the Marina for whatever reason it’s a good place.

• Other Highlights (Ice Cream Slot Canyon, Castle Rock)

Glen Canyon Dam

Glen Canyon Dam is the hydrological dam built in the 1960s that created Lake Powell (actually a reservoir). If you are boating around Antelope Island, it’s only a short detour to visit the Glen Canyon Dam. Though, personally, I think it’s more impressive to visit the dam from the land-based overlooks like the Carl Hayden Visitor Center and Glen Canyon Dam Overlook.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is probably one of the most famous landmarks in all of the Southwest. The canyons narrow into a wispy sandstone slot canyon with striking textures.

However, the most famous parts are restricted to paid tours that you access from land. Still, many boaters explore the lowest sections of Antelope Canyon, which still has some impressive narrow canyon scenery. You can hike up into it once the water ends.

Warm Creek Bay

Another one of Lake Powell’s largest bays is Warm Creek Bay. There’s tons of open space for boating and many large sandy beaches. There are some 4×4 roads with access to the lakefront here.

The landscape is still mostly white sandstone with minimal canyons and cliffs.

Gunsight Bay

This is where you begin to reach the quintessential Lake Powell scenery. Loads of red sandstone cliffs, buttes, and mesas. The namesake of this bay is Gunsight Butte, a rock formation that looks like the sights on a rifle.

The bay is a little bit more narrow than other big bays in south Lake Powell (especially when water levels are low). But there’s still a decent amount of sandy beaches and coves to anchor.

• Other Highlights (Labyrinth Canyon across the main channel is one of the better slot canyons to explore.)

Padre Bay has always been my favorite location to anchor at Lake Powell. This massive bay is surrounded by amazing red rock scenery, and plenty far from civilization that it never feels crowded.

It’s a several-hour drive from Wahweap Marina, and it’s usually what we aim for on our first day.

On the north side, there are several coves that offer great beaches to tuck into.

• Other Highlights (Cookie Jar Rock, Toilet Bowl, Face Canyon across the main channel)

Last Chance Bay

A long canyon with impressive tall walls on either side and tons of “fingers”. Not many big beaches, but still some smaller sandy coves that you can anchor.

West Canyon

Our absolute favorite slot canyon to explore on Lake Powell. It’s not ideal to take houseboats in, but smaller boats are perfect to take deep into the canyon.

If you are up for it, a several-mile hike leads to one of the best slot canyons in all of Lake Powell. Makes an amazing all-day adventure.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Rainbow Bridge is one of the world’s largest natural arches. It’s undoubtedly one of the most impressive landmarks at Lake Powell.

In the past boaters could drive right up to the arch. But with current water levels, it requires about a 1-mile hike in to visit.

I consider Rainbow Bridge the unofficial halfway point between Wahweap Marina and Bullfrog Marina. For logistical reasons, I consider it the maximum distance you would consider traveling with a houseboat before turning around.

This is about as far North as I would recommend going on a South Lake Powell trip. And conversely, as far South as I would go for a North Lake Powell trip. Even on a 7-day itinerary, it would still be lots of time spent motoring your houseboat to get here.

Ideally, you anchor the houseboat somewhere within striking distance and take the faster powerboats or jetskis the rest of the way.

Reflection Canyon

One of the most photographed locations on Lake Powell is Reflection Canyon. However, the famous view is actually inaccessible from the lake. And the view you get from visiting via boat is not really comparable. I want to make that very clear, because it’s a far distance to travel to find out that you are not going to see the famous ‘Reflection Canyon’ view.

Getting to this view requires a grueling 18-mile backpacking trip that’s an entire adventure on its own. (Read our guide to backpacking to Reflection Canyon ).

Hole-In-The-Rock

A historic location where early pioneers would cross the Colorado River. This narrow crack in the canyon rim is surprisingly one of the best places to cross mid-lake.

Fit and motivated individuals can hike the slot up to the rim for an incredible view of Lake Powell and Navajo Mountain in the background.

Escalante River Arm

One of the longest tributary canyons of Lake Powell. There are tall canyon walls on both sides and plenty of side canyons to explore. But, due to the geography, there are not many big sandy beaches to anchor a houseboat.

• Other Highlights (La Gorce Arch, Gregory Natural Bridge)

A dried-up bend in the river called The Rincon. This is one of the few places in North Lake Powell that reliably has long stretches of sandy beach. But being in the main channel, beware of wind and waves.

Iceberg Canyon

One of the more visually striking side canyons in North Lake Powell. Narrow with tall walls and several fingers to explore. Just a few potential anchor sites.

Halls Creek Bay

The second largest bay on North Lake Powell. There are plenty of sandy beaches and wide open spaces for boating.

Bullfrog Bay

The largest bay on North Lake Powell, and the location of Bullfrog Marina. Plenty of sandy beaches.

North Of Bullfrog

If you explore north of Bullfrog Bay, you can find even more interesting landmarks like Moqui Canyon, Forgotten Canyon, Defiance House Ruins, Good Hope Bay, and more.

Lake Powell Itineraries

Here are a couple of good sample Lake Powell Trip Itineraries to follow.

(Note that anchor locations are not precise. The water level is constantly changing what is or is not available).

5-Day Wahweap Itinerary (Our personal favorite)

Day 1: Houseboat up to Padre Bay to anchor

• Explore the “Toilet Bowl”

Day 2: Houseboat to Friendship Cove to anchor

Day 3: Stay put

• Explore West Canyon with small boats (optional slot canyon hike)

Day 4: Houseboat to Gunsight Bay to anchor

• Explore Labyrinth Canyon with small boats

Day 5: Drive back to the Marina

7-Day Wahweap Itinerary

Day 1: Houseboat To Gunsight Butte to anchor

• Explore Labyrinth Canyon with small boats (optional slot canyon hike)

Day 2: Houseboat to Rock Creek Bay to anchor

• Take powerboats to see Rainbow Bridge Natl. Monument

Day 4: Stay put

• Day of games on the beach

Day 5: Move houseboat to Padre Bay

• Explore Toilet Bowl

Day 6: Stay put, free day

Day 7: Houseboat back to the Wahweap Marina

5-Day Bullfrog Itinerary

Day 1: Houseboat to the Rincon to anchor

• Explore Iceberg Canyon with small boats

Day 2: Houseboat to Escalante Canyon to anchor

• Explore Gregory Natural Bridge or La Gorce Arch
• Hike into Willow Canyon

Day 4: Houseboat to the Rincon to anchor

• Explore Bowns Canyon with small boats and on foot.

Day 5: Houseboat back to Bullfrog Marina

7-Day Bullfrog Itinerary

Day 1: Boat to the Rincon to anchor

Day 2: Boat to Hole-In-The-Rock to anchor

• Climb up to the rim if you are feeling motivated.

Day 3: Boat to San Juan River Confluence to anchor

Day 4: Explore Reflection Canyon with small boats

Day 5: Stay put

• Take small boats to Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Day 6: Houseboat to Escalante River Arm to anchor

• Visit La Gorce Arch

Day 7: Houseboat back to Bullfrog Marina

Use these Lake Powell Itineraries to pack a bunch of amazing destinations and adventures into your houseboat trip.

Feel free to modify them to fit your schedule and interests.

Boating Around Lake Powell

But before you can go anywhere, you need to know how to navigate around Lake Powell.

If you only rented a houseboat, then it’s pretty simple. You can just worry about steering your houseboat.

Really, they are operated just like any other boat, just much bigger (and with a few more blind spots). That’s why it’s a good idea to always have your crew members help you keep an eye out for other boats or potential hazards.

Houseboating With Additional Boats

But most houseboat rentals on Lake Powell also include some fun add-ons like powerboats and jet skis. This makes it a little bit more complicated to motor around the lake.

If you have power boats or jet skis, you should tow them behind your houseboat when not in use.

After your safe and smooth departure from the Marina, you can radio to your other boat(s). Rendevous once you’re outside the marina’s breakwater (it’s like a giant line of floating tires that protect that marina from waves.

Put the houseboat into neutral and let it coast to a stop, then turn off the engines. Next, radio your smaller boat(s) to approach the houseboat from the rear. Have a crew member or two on the back of your houseboat to receive the other boat(s). There is a cleat on each corner of the back of the houseboat.

Tie your smaller vessel(s) to the houseboat, leaving about 10-30 feet of rope between your houseboat and smaller boat(s). If you have multiple add-ons, you need to stagger them with different rope lengths so they don’t hit each other.

Basic Boating Knots You Should Know

If you’re not familiar with some basic nautical knots, it’s a good idea to review the two big ones before your trip: the bowline and the cleat hitch .

The bowline knot is used to attach a rope to the front of your powerboat. This knot will likely already be tied for you, but it’s still a good idea to know how to tie one. It’s the best way to create a loop that’s easy to un-tie no matter how much tension is put on it.

Then you will use a cleat hitch on the other end of the rope to attach it to your houseboat. It’s good to review how to tie a cleat hitch , because you don’t want your ropes coming loose. (You will also use this for your anchor lines, described in detail later).

Navigating Lake Powell

Getting around Lake Powell safely and without getting lost can be daunting, even for seasoned boaters.

Luckily, there are mile-marker buoys along the main channel of the lake that are helpful for navigation. The main channel is essentially the former path of the Colorado River before it was dammed to create the reservoir. It runs generally from the northeast to the southwest.

In some places, the main channel is easy to follow through an obvious canyon with towering sandstone walls on either side. But other times it follows a less clear path through the wide open bays. This is when the buoys are much more essential to staying “on track”.

The buoys in the main channel form the easy nautical “rules of the road”. These green and red mile-marker buoys are numbered with their approximate distance (in miles) from the Glen Canyon Dam (the southernmost tip of the lake).

But depending on the water level, there are many potential “shortcuts” which you can use with caution.

For the most part, the buoys are close enough together that you’ll see the next one shortly after passing one. When you pass a buoy, check what number is on it, and then find the corresponding buoy on your map to figure out where you are. (This is when binoculars are extremely helpful).

Following the buoys will help you stay in the main channel, where you generally don’t have to worry about the lake depth.

To use the buoys for navigation, when traveling north (or upstream) keep the Red buoys on your right and green on your left. Or commonly remembered as “Red Right Returning”, as though you are returning to where the Colorado River enters the lake.

Conversely, if you are traveling south on the lake (downstream), you keep the red buoys on your left and green buoys on your right.

Within the space between the buoys, try to stay to the right side of the channel (just like driving in the US). Using this method creates two loosely defined “lanes”, allowing boats to travel in opposite directions without issues.

The two other buoy types to watch out for are Hazard Buoys and “No” Buoys.  Hazard “stick” buoys mark things like underwater rocks or other potential hazards.  “No” buoys are most commonly found as “No Wake” buoys surrounding marinas and in narrow or heavily trafficked canyons.

Exploring Side Canyons and Bays

But I’m sure you didn’t come all the way to Lake Powell just to stay in the main channel. When you’re ready to explore beyond the main channel, you can use the mile-marked buoys to locate Lake Powell’s many side canyons and bays.

However, once you leave the main canyon you will no longer have the convenience of the mile-marked buoys to guide you. From this point on, you will need to be able to retrace your steps to get back to the main canyon.

And there is always the possibility of unmarked obstacles outside the main channel. You need to be vigilant of submerged rocks, shallow areas, and more. The water level of Lake Powell is constantly changing, so what might have been a perfect beach in June might not even exist in August.

Some canyons are plenty big enough to explore with your houseboat. But in our experience, it’s always more fun (and practical) to explore canyons in a powerboat, jetski, kayak, or paddleboard. These smaller boats can take you all the way, basically until the water ends.

Be cautious around blind turns when traveling in narrow canyons. Sadly, there are always some overzealous folks who drive too fast around blind corners.

How To Beach The Houseboat At Night

Every night, you need to have your houseboat anchored to a beach. You should leave enough time to find a suitable beach and set the anchors. I would recommend reserving at least an hour for this process.

Driving boats after dark is prohibited so you want to give yourself ample time to find a good spot to beach.

If you have powerboats or jet skis, you can use them to quickly scout good beaches to anchor.

If you only have a houseboat you will have to carefully scout beaches with your houseboat while being extra careful of shallow areas.

If you are scouting with smaller boats, use the radio to communicate with the houseboat and tell them where to go.

Depending on where you are on the lake, finding a good beach can be really easy or sometimes very challenging. There are long sections of Lake Powell that have rock walls straight up out of the water on both sides. But there are also lots of expansive bays that have long stretches of sandy beach that could fit 10 or more houseboats side by side.

And in between those two extremes, there are loads of small coves or short beaches that are perfect for just one or a couple of houseboats.

The ideal beach will have soft sand, a reasonably flat area above the waterline, and a pretty steep drop-off under the waterline.

A flat beach is good for games and campfires, and a steep drop-off into the water will ensure that your houseboat engines have plenty of clearance underwater. And also if the water is deep enough behind your houseboat you can use the water slide and jump/dive off the back.

Long stretches of sandy beach are by far the easiest place to anchor for the night, but it’s common that you will be sharing the beach with other groups.

I much prefer the smaller, more private beaches/coves. That way nobody will anchor next to you, so you don’t have to worry about bothering your neighbors, or vice versa.

Having a soft sandy beach is the best scenario because then you don’t have to worry about damage to your boats and you also have a great place for games and campfires.

You also want to be sure there is shoreline at least the length of your boat on either side. The reason for this becomes clear when we get to the proper anchoring technique.

Anchoring your Houseboat

Anchoring is almost certainly the most physically demanding part of a Lake Powell Houseboat Trip. Specifically, digging holes for the anchors and putting tension on the anchor lines (ropes).

The two biggest factors that impact anchoring are the size of your houseboat and the wind speeds. The bigger your boat and the rougher the weather, the more secure your anchors must be.

If you have other powerboats or jet skis, I prefer to beach them on shore about 100-300 feet away from where the houseboat will go. Giving you plenty of room to maneuver, and leaving everyone available to help with anchoring.

Once the houseboat is just offshore from the spot you picked, make sure several of your crew members on the houseboat are ready to deploy the anchors. Have your houseboat captain drive the houseboat slowly straight into the beach.

Once your houseboat has come to a stop against the shore, keep the engines running at a very low speed. This will keep the houseboat pinned up against the beach while your crew secures the anchors.

Using the shovel provided on the boat, dig a 2-3 foot deep hole for each anchor. You want the anchor lines to be at a 45-degree angle from the cleats on the back (stern) of the boat. And 45 degrees is the minimum!!! You can honestly go up to 90 degrees if the beach allows.

Too many times I’ve seen an anchor set at around 30 degrees, then the wind starts blowing, the tail of the boat pivots, and instantly it’s down to like 25 degrees or less, and then the boat is in danger of going sideways against the shore.

No matter how many times we do this trip, people really struggle with the concept of the 45-degree angle. And it really matters. You lose a lot of leverage quickly when the angle decreases.

For boats 50 feet and above you are encouraged to set two anchors on each side. One at 45 degrees, and another between 45 and 90 degrees.

Once the anchors are buried in the sand, tie off the other end of the rope to the cleats on the back of the boat. It really takes about 2 or 3 people to put enough tension on the ropes and cleat them.

It is important to have high tension on the rope. Because slack in the rope can cause your houseboat to shift from wind and/or waves. And this swinging motion creates extra force on your anchors and can dislodge even a properly seated anchor.

So make sure the anchor lines are taught on both sides.

The shape of the shoreline also matters. You generally want a straight or slightly concave shoreline for easy anchoring.

Compensating For Water Level Changes

The water level in Lake Powell is constantly changing, so you need to account for that with your anchor ropes. If you stay in the same spot for multiple days, be aware of how that affects your anchor ropes.

Generally, in the spring the water level is rising so you may need to re-tighten your anchor lines daily to keep them tight. And you want to ensure that your anchor placement wont be underwater a few days after placing them.

In the fall the water level is decreasing. So you may want to loosen your anchor ropes slightly and maybe even back up your houseboat to ensure it doesn’t get too beached.

What Can Go Wrong Without Propper Anchoring

One night we were beached in the main channel and only dropped two anchors. The wind changed direction almost 180 degrees and picked up significantly right after everyone went to sleep. I could feel the houseboat moving too much and had a gut feeling that something was wrong. I went onto the beach to investigate.

Large waves started rolling across the entire width of the lake and coupled with high winds, they started pulling one anchor loose. The houseboat was rotating very quickly towards the beach.

I ran into the houseboat to wake people up to help. It took 4 to 5 of us pulling on the windward anchor to bring the houseboat back perpendicular to the beach. If the boat had washed up parallel to the beach, the propellers would likely have been jammed into the sand and possibly damaged.

The moral of the story, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and just because it’s calm when you go to sleep doesn’t mean that the weather will stay that way. Don’t let calm weather lull you into a sense of false confidence.

Securing Your Powerboats or Jetskis

Now that your houseboat is secure, move onto securing any other powerboats and jet skis you have. One of my other main complaints about Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is that they don’t provide you with anchors for the powerboats or jet skis.

Their response is “There’s usually a tree or rock that you can tie it to.” I don’t know which Lake Powell they are on, but there are basically no trees.

And finding a rock that’s light enough to move, but substantial enough to use as an anchor can be tricky.

This anchor issue doesn’t ruin the trip by any stretch, but it is a mild inconvenience. The best strategy is to find a rock that is about the size of a big watermelon. Then tie the bow line (rope attached to the front of the boat) around the middle of the rock, then bury it under about 1 foot of sand.

This might be overkill, but it will give you peace of mind even if the weather gets rough.

Anchoring On Rocky Shoreline (Not Recommended)

In the rare case that you can’t find a sandy beach and might have to settle for something a little rocky. This is not ideal because it will be harder to dig anchor holes and your boats could more easily be damaged.

Instead of digging holes for anchors, you can tie off to really large rocks or trees. But in our experience, you would have to get pretty lucky to find rocks or trees that are up to the task.

We have never had to anchor in a rocky place, but have seen other people anchored in rocky coves before.

Luckily, the majority of the rock around Lake Powell is sandstone, which is not a very hard variety of rock. But still, sandstone could do damage to your boats with enough force.

If you have to anchor your boats on slickrock, it’s best to be in a small protected cove or inlet. This will reduce the amount of wind and waves moving your boats throughout the night.

I would never anchor in a rocky area if it’s in a large bay or high-traffic area of the lake.  There’s a high likelihood of waves bashing your boats against the rocks over and over.  If you find a protected cove, it should keep the water around your boats calm, and greatly decrease the chance of problems.

Anchoring Near Tall Canyon Walls

There are a couple of considerations when anchoring near tall canyon walls. In windy weather, canyons can provide a bit of cover from the wind and waves.

Secondly, canyon walls can provide some shade from the sun. You can potentially use that to your advantage. For example, anchoring beneath a wall to the west can provide some early relief some abusing afternoon sun/heat.

However, canyon walls can also pose some safety risks when it rains. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding that creates gushing waterfalls that pour over canyon rims. Beware of this danger if rain is in the forecast.

How Often Should You Move Your Houseboat?

How often you decide to move your houseboat is totally up to you.

Some people will choose to park their houseboat on day one and not move until the last day of their vacation. Others may choose to move the houseboat every day, or somewhere in between.

You can decide if it’s worth it to move to a new beach every day or spend a couple of nights in one spot.

The amount of time it takes to move the houseboat is pretty significant.

Consider the time it takes to pack up everything you set up on the beach, dig up the anchors, drive to a new area, scout a new spot, beach the houseboat, and lastly set anchors again.

The sheer length of that sentence should give you an idea of the many hours the whole process takes.

And also consider what options you have for getting your crew around the lake. Boat capacities are a key factor here.

If you have just one powerboat that holds 8 people, and your crew has 12 people, you won’t be able to take everyone simultaneously. This is a somewhat limiting factor especially if you are trying to do or see something as a group.

Otherwise, it’s beneficial to have your houseboat in close proximity to where you’re trying to go. And then people can take turns exploring with the powerboat.

Moving the houseboat usually takes a decent amount of time and effort. My advice is that if you have a motivated and able-bodied crew, then perhaps setting anchors is no big deal. But if your crew struggled with anchoring, then maybe it’s best to stay put and explore with your smaller vessels.

Moving the houseboat can provide a change of scenery. And it’s a good way to move your entire group to a new area (albeit slowly).

I used to really be motivated by the change of scenery, but the more times I have visited the lake, the more prone I am to leaving the houseboat in one spot. If you have a powerboat or jet skis, that’s a much faster way to explore different parts of the lake.

I also find that the burden of moving the houseboat falls unequally on the people driving the boats and digging the anchor holes. So the days that I feel truly relaxed are when the houseboat doesn’t move.

Tips For Daily Life on Lake Powell

Sharing a houseboat with a large group is really fun, but it does require some organization to ensure that it’s not overflowing with people and gear.

So lastly, I want to share some tips for staying organized and enjoying the lake with a big group.

Organization

As I mentioned before, having people sleep on the roof of the houseboat and on the beach is one of the best ways to provide everyone with a comfortable spot for sleeping.

We also found it helpful to divide the bedrooms up for people to put their personal stuff in. It’s not necessarily where they will sleep, but just a room where they can change clothes or have a little personal space if needed.

Likewise, you should divide up the cabinet space in the kitchen/dining room area. That way people know exactly where to find their food, and it’s not all mixed together.

Then stack beer, water, and coolers as efficiently as you can in the corners of the kitchen/dining room area. The stack will get smaller as you consume it.

Keeping Tidy

The boat will get messy quickly with so many people sharing a small space.

So encourage everyone to tidy up daily, or multiple times a day. Try to get everyone in the habit of putting food and other things away after they are finished.

We found it helpful to have a Sharpie in the kitchen so people could label their drinks or whatever. This will help cut down on the number of “wounded soldiers”.

The boat comes with a broom and dust-pan, which are key for battling all the sand that is going to come into the cabin. You can try to minimize the amount of sand, but it’s coming in, so don’t worry too much. 

Keeping your trash to a minimum starts before you even get on the boat.  With everything you bring, consider how much space it will take up on the boat.

Small decisions when you are packing and buying supplies can make a big difference.  So, like I mentioned before, try to avoid bringing cases of water bottles.

Don’t bring glass. Aluminum and plastic are not only lighter, but also can be crushed after you’re finished with them.

To make things easier, every boat comes with a can crusher mounted on the front deck.  Crush everything you can, seriously, the trash will accumulate quickly.

When you’re deciding what foods to bring, consider the amount of waste they create.  For example, say you wanted to have corn on the cob every night because it’s a cheap and delicious summer food. But now consider how many ears of corn you will have in your trash by the end of the trip.

While on the trip, I like to divide waste into three different categories.  Trash, recycling, and burnables.  

Burnables 

Anything flammable like paper and cardboard can be collected in an empty beer box.  Then when you have a campfire at night, simply burn the whole box.

It can help you get your fire going and will also help reduce your waste.

Both marinas accept recycling. So dedicate a garbage bag or bin for aluminum, plastic, and glass. Do your best to crush any plastic and aluminum to save space.

Everything else can go into the trash. If you’ve planned efficiently, your total trash amounts should be pretty low. Once you fill up the trash can in the kitchen, tie it off and take it to the back deck. Every houseboat comes with a standard trash barrel and lid.  You want to save this space strictly for trash bags. You can leave your bags of recycling sitting out next to the trash barrel.

Pest Control

They recommend using aluminum pie pans to stop mice from using your anchor lines to board your houseboat. Cut a slit into the center of the pans and then slide them onto your anchor lines. Admittedly, we’ve never done this because it isn’t always necessary.

A few easy steps to take against mice are keeping the lid of your trash barrel closed at all times and keeping the doors to your houseboat shut at night.

They may try to get into your recycling, but it will be much less of a problem than if they get into your trash.

We had mice chew up our recycling bags a little bit this past year, but finding mostly aluminum cans, they probably gave up.

Plus, they can only really do it at night, because during the day there is far too much activity for them to hang around.

The other pest we’ve encountered are flies. They’re small flies that thankfully don’t bite, but they can show up in overwhelming numbers. Especially around dusk and after dark.

We tried our best to keep the houseboat doors closed after dark, but it was pretty futile.  The flies inevitably got in by the hundreds, maybe thousands. They are attracted to light, and mostly just swarm any lights that are on inside your houseboat.

So it’s definitely a good idea to keep bedroom doors closed and lights off.

But this has only been a problem for us certain years.

Electricity

You charge the houseboat batteries using the gas-powered generator on the back deck. Then use the breakers to provide power to different parts of the houseboat.

This breaker control panel is divided into two sections, battery power and generator power.

While the generator is running, you can power electricity via the generator. But also, the generator charges the houseboat batteries, which can be used when the generator is off.

It’s good to only use what you need to conserve power. We have found that running the generator for about 2 hours per day covers all our electricity needs.

We used electricity for lights, phones, cameras, coffee maker, microwave, and probably a few other things I’m forgetting.

The toilet(s) on the houseboat are pretty simple to use (but not like a normal toilet).

There’s an electric pump that uses lake water to fill the toilets. Depress the foot pedal to flush the contents.

After the bowl has been cleared, lift up on the foot pedal to refill the toilet bowl. The water in the bowl ensures the toilet is ready for another use, and it prevents smells from coming up from the black water tank.

You also will be supplied with a water treatment solution. You should follow the instructions on the bottle and flush the solution into the black water tanks daily. This is another critical step for preventing odors.

There are black water pump out stations around the lake.

We have never personally used them. But certain years, there have definitely been some foul smells coming from the black water tanks into the houseboat.

Conclusion | Lake Powell Houseboating Trip

Despite all the traveling Emily and I have done, Lake Powell Houseboat Trips remain our favorite vacation.

There is just no feeling quite like exploring the remote desert with a boat loaded with friends and family. The adventures, scenery, and memories are very hard to beat!

So we really wanted to share all we know so that you can pull off this amazing trip for yourself.

If you missed other parts of this guide, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2.

• Part 2: What To Bring On A Lake Powell Houseboat Trip & Preparing For Departure.

If you are planning a trip to the area, we have some other guides to our favorite spots.

Share This ‘Lake Powell Houseboat Guide Series’ On Pinterest!

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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ISLAND PACKERS

Boat transportation to channel islands national park, anacapa island, anacapa island day trips, camper transportation & island wildlife cruises, santa cruz island, santa cruz island day trips & camping transportation, santa rosa island, santa rosa island day trips & camper transportation, san miguel island, san miguel island day trips & camper transportation.

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Boat Transportation to Channel Islands National Park Island Trips, Wildlife Cruises, Camping & More

Island trips, camping information, whale & wildlife trips, kayaking information, general information, group charters, about island packers, cruising the california channel islands for education, recreation and research since 1968..

Island Packers Cruises is the Official Boat Concessionaire for the Channel Islands National Park. We offer year round transportation to the “local islands” Santa Cruz and Anacapa. We offer trips to the “outer islands”, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara (NPS Closure) from March through November on a limited schedule.

Island Packers Cruises also offer trips that get close to the Channel Islands without going ashore. These trip are designed for you to view the abundant wildlife found in the waters of the Channel Islands National Park and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Seasonally, in summer and winter we offer Whale Watching trips.

Other special trips for birding and trips to special areas of Santa Cruz Island that are property of The Nature Conservancy are available as scheduled.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Island day trip preparation.

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• Pack food and drink for your time on the island. A small cooler or a backpack can protect your food from small animals and birds.
• There are no shops or restaurants on the island…

Protect Channel Islands National Park

Non-native, invasive species threaten endangered animals and plants on the Channel Islands and are costly to control. Please watch the following video on bio security regulations & guidelines to help prevent the introduction and spread of nonnative species before they become a problem.

Get the National Park Mobile App!

One app, every park at your fingertips. The NPS App is the new official app for the National Park Service (NPS) with tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide. Help plan your trip and enrich your visit to Channel Islands National Park with this official, free app.

Get the Latest Weather in Our Area

Weather is important. It can cause cancellations, a rough boat ride, or a truly beautiful day. Have the latest information to help plan your trip. Click the button below to view the latest Marine Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service.

Islapedia Celebrates 8 Years

ISLAPEDIA is a comprehensive California Islands encyclopedia covering hundreds of topics and thousands of entries on all eight California Channel Islands: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente Islands.

• Chevron down Quick Links to a Few Great Topics
• Islapedia Homepage
• Non-Fiction Books & Articles
• Santa Cruz Island
• Anacapa Island
• Santa Rosa Island
• San Miguel Island

Camper Transport

• Please arrive at your harbor of departure a full hour before your departure time. Late arriving gear may not be loaded onto the boat.
• An Island Packers boat reservation.
• A campsite reservation. Please be prepared to give your campsite number at check-in as required by the National Park Service…

Santa Barbara Channel becomes the 9th Whale Heritage Area

The Whale Heritage Area (WHA) recognizes & accredits destinations that support / demonstrate responsible and sustainable whale & dolphin watching tourism. Island Packers is proud to be one of over 30 local organizations to promote sustainable practices to ensure the conservation of the Santa Barbara Channel.

Accessing Sea Caves

Many people like to experience sea caves from the water in a kayak. Visitors to the islands can kayak the caves three ways:

• Purchase a guided tour with Channel Islands Adventure Company.
• Bring your own kayak.
• Rent a kayak

Media Articles & Videos

The Channel Islands National Park and Island Packers Cruises have had many articles and interviews published over time. These articles are independently written, by professions journalists as well as bloggers, hikers, kayakers, divers, travel writers and happy visitors to the park. Click the button to view these articles and videos.

TOP-RATED FERRY TRIPS TO CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Island Packers is the only boat concessionaire approved to run trips to and from the islands within Channel Islands National Park. But it’s still a family owned company- with two children of the founder still operating the company! And even though you’re a captive audience, they still strive to provide an excellent experience - I’ve loved every trip I’ve taken with them!

Everything was smooth…Online tickets, picking up boarding passes, embarking…even the water. Found a table by the window and just enjoyed the view. Saw some sea lions on the way out chilling on a buoy. We landed at Scorpion Cove, and it was quite a day’s adventure. On the way back, I sat on the top deck. We saw so many dolphins, you just couldn’t count!

We cannot say enough great things about our experience with Island Packers! From the moment we checked in at the office, the staff was welcoming and friendly. The dock crew politely and efficiently instructed us how to load our camping gear and board the boat. The captain made special efforts to point out and share fun facts about the local marine life!

What a wonderful day! We went to Prisoners on Santa Cruz Island. Adam, the naturalist who was on the boat, led us on a hike toward Pelican Bay. He was so knowledgeable and thoughtful. We saw island scrub jays and even a couple of island foxes. Even the porta potties were clean. We saw dolphins on the ride out and a humpback whale on the return trip!

2 Hour Salt Lake Boat Tour with Swimming on the Lake provided by Exclusive Excursions SLC

Boaters describe nightmare fishing trip after engine breaks, left stranded for hours in dark

MADISON COUNTY, Fla. ( WCTV /Gray News) - Three men are home safe after they experienced a nightmare fishing trip as they got stranded off the coast of Florida for hours over the weekend.

Scott Snow, Dillon McRae and Adam Simpson left for a fishing trip Friday morning.

However, that night, their boat broke down due to an electrical issue, leaving them stuck on the water without any cell service or radio signal to call for help.

The men said the wind started blowing around 40 mph with 10 to 12-foot waves crashing into the boat.

They tried to head back to land, but the waves and wind were so strong they worried their boat would capsize. So, they stayed overnight.

Snow and McRae said they both got violently sick from the crashing of the waves.

“I was throwing up,” Snow said. “All night, all day.”

The men survived the overnight hours and the next morning they tried to start the boat’s engine, but it wouldn’t start.

And that’s when they began to fear the worst.

“We were starting to ration water,” Snow said.

Frantic messages to friends and family went unanswered as they were still in an area without any service.

Miraculously, one of their messages ended up going through and hours later a helicopter and Coast Guard boat could be seen approaching.

“They passed us three times and didn’t see us,” Snow said. “We used all our flares.”

Finally, after shooting off their last flare, rescuers saw them.

“They started coming towards us and all of a sudden they started circling us,” McRae said.

The nightmare was over.

“Relieved,” Snow and McRae said when asked how they felt. “Relieved, to say the least. We were going home.”

Copyright 2024 WCTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Taylor swift & travis kelce share a kiss on romantic boat ride in italy, taylor swift & travis kelce whatever floats your boat, babe ... now gimme some sugar.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce didn't let some bad weather derail their romantic getaway in Lake Como ... flaunting some serious PDA on a boat, where it was just the 2 of them.

Check out these awesome pics ... the singer and the NFL star share a sweet kiss while enjoying a boat ride in the scenic Italian resort town. Taylor, dressed in a black dress and tan overcoat, cuddles up to Travis ... who stayed warm by wearing a black and white sweater.

There's no question Taylor and Travis enjoyed their outing ... as they happily posed for several pics for a photog who was snapping away, both on the boat and the lake's dock.

Taylor and Travis -- who could be seen disembarking from the boat hand-in-hand -- later grabbed a romantic dinner at Locanda La Tirlindana Restaurant ... a popular hot spot in Lake Como, which can notably be accessed by vessel.

After wrapping up their meal, the A-list couple returned to the boat yet again ... with Travis sweetly protecting his lady from the rain by holding up a massive, black umbrella.

This sighting comes a day after Taylor and Travis took in a romantic dinner by candlelight at a 17th-century villa -- and there too, it was just them. The love birds had reunited earlier in the week, when Taylor successfully kicked off the European leg of her "Eras" tour in Paris.

Unfortunately, the couple's romantic vacay is set to wrap up soon ... as the Grammy winner is set to take the stage at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden Friday evening. Travis also has to jet back to the States ... as Kelce Jam -- the football star's music festival -- is happening on Saturday and is almost sold out. Yes, he's 100% expected to be there.

While his superstar girlfriend will not be in attendance, Lil Wayne , Diplo and 2Chainz are all set to perform at the Azura Amphitheater ... so he'll have his hands full here stateside.

Nonetheless, these two are clearly still going strong and head over heels for each other.

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