Instructions When "the cut" is open

Proceed through the cut, after passing the two rock islands on your right, bear right until you reach the last buoy in Warm Creek, approximately RED BUOY WC 14. Once you enter the junction of the main channel, bear left and head uplake.

To anchor in Warm Creek, motor through the cut and past the two rock islands on your right. Turn left to proceed into Warm Creek. If you’ve gotten off to a late start, Warm Creek has many nice beaches that make a good place for overnight camping. It’s also a great place to see spectacular sunsets with a picturesque view of Castle Rock. If you pass Warm Creek that day, proceed toward Padre Bay where you’ll have two options for your first night’s stay:

Option 1: At RED BUOY 16, veer left toward Gunsight Canyon. Here, you’ll find beautiful white sand beaches, lots of areas to hike and great places for skiing. You can also fish for smallmouth, largemouth and striper bass. When water levels are higher, you can proceed into Padre Canyon through a narrow slot in the middle of the ridge that houses Gunsight Butte. At lower levels, you must go to RED BUOY 22 in the main channel and turn left to proceed to Padre Canyon, Kane Creek or Kane Wash.

Option 2: At RED BUOY 22, turn left and head toward the back of Padre Bay to Padre Canyon. You can also head toward Kane Creek Canyon or Kane Wash. Each of these canyons offers excellent beaches for your base camp. Use your powerboat to explore the other canyons more extensively. While traveling through Padre Bay, you’ll enjoy a spectac- ular view of the Cookie Jar Rock that rises from the sandstone mounds on the west shore. Each of these three canyons will provide you and your crew with a fun time while fishing on the water or hiking in the surrounding sandstone hills.

Time to reach Option 1 or 2 from T-Dock: About 2.75 to 3 hours.

Once you’ve secured your campsite, daylight permitting, you can tour West Canyon by powerboat. At the back end of West Canyon you’ll find an excellent hike that takes about 2 hours round trip (possibly longer depending upon water levels). In the spring, you may encounter beauti- ful waterfalls where you can cool off. The canyon walls are narrow and offer the dramatic appeal of a slot canyon.

Instructions if "the cut" is not open"

When you leave the T-Dock at Stateline Boat Rentals, head east around the boats moored in front of the lodge. Travel past the main marina toward Glen Canyon Dam. When you reach the junction of the main channel, bear left and head up the Narrows. (NOTE: This area is often congested and has rough water. Proceed at a slow, safe speed.)

Travel around the backside of Antelope Island. As you pass the Antelope Point launch ramp you will come to GREEN BUOY 5. Enter the “NO-Wake Zone,” which is the Antelope Point Marina. After you pass through the “NO-Wake Zone,” continue traveling up lake. Bear right to the northeast once you pass RED BUOY 12.

Proceed up lake through Padre Bay toward RED BUOY 40. At this point, you can veer left in the main waterway toward Dangling Rope Marina. Nestled next to the canyon walls, this is a great place to stop and refuel your boat. You can also refresh yourself and your crew with delicious soft serve ice cream and more. This marina is not accessible by land.

Time to reach Dangling Rope from Padre Bay: about 1.5 to 2 hours.

As you leave Dangling Rope, head northeast toward Oak Creek Canyon between RED BUOY 50 & GREEN BUOY 51. At lower levels of water, Oak Creek offers white sand beaches that are great for anchoring and a campfire. Using this area as a base camp allows you to explore many exciting areas in close proximity.

After anchoring for the night, use your personal watercraft (PWC) or powerboat to head to the back of Oak Creek. You’ll find a special hike to the Navajo Stairs carved in the mountain that takes approximately 45 minutes each way. Climbing to the top of the sandstone mound will reward you with magnificent views of other sandstone towers.

Another scenic area you can explore from your base camp is Secret Canyon located on the right hand side of the mouth of Oak Canyon. (Note: A houseboat will NOT fit into this canyon.) Your PWC or power- boat allows you to creep back into a narrow slot canyon and experience its peace and solitude. Fishing is good here with plenty of smallmouth, largemouth and striper bass. You might even catch a walleye or two.

Time to reach Oak Creek from Dangling Rope: About 1 to 1.5 hours.

NOTE: If you are on a three-day trip, begin your return trip to Boat Rentals on the morning of your third day. If staying at Oak Canyon or the Rainbow Bridge hiking area, leave no later than 8:00am to allow enough travel time for a 2:00pm return to Boat Rentals.

To continue your journey, leave your houseboat anchored in Oak Creek and take a powerboat to BUOYS 49 & 50 at the mouth of Forbidden Canyon. As you wind back into the canyon, you’ll pass a wakeless buoy line. Take the next left turn. Carefully proceed through the very narrow passage at a slow, safe speed. This will take you to a courtesy dock pro- vided by the National Park Service where you can secure your power- boat to a walkway. Note: A houseboat can travel to this area. However, it is much easier to maneuver a smaller boat.

At the end of the walkway, you’ll find a dirt path that takes you to Rainbow Bridge—a breathtaking rock formation that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is the world’s largest natural bridge and one of the most photographed natural formations in the west.

This day of travel will allow you and your passengers to enjoy magnificent views of the carved and varnished red rock formations surrounding Lake Powell. The hike is between 1 to 2 miles depending on lake levels. Be sure to bring plenty of water—there are no facilities beyond the place where your boat is moored.

After your day at Rainbow Bridge, proceed up the main channel to the mouth of the San Juan River at GREEN BUOY 57. Here, you’ll find many beaches that allow you to anchor and use your PWC or powerboat to explore more areas of interest. If you don’t have a smaller craft for exploring, you can motor your houseboat to discover other sites in the immediate area.

Before you reach the mouth of the San Juan, you’ll pass Anasazi Canyon between BUOYS 52 & 53. This canyon offers a great beach for anchor- ing and an excellent hike. Depending on the time of year, there may be a small waterfall at the back of the canyon that is approximately a 45-minute hike each way. Anasazi Canyon is a long, eerie gorge that contains great splotches of colorful lichen and desert varnish. For the night’s stay, you can settle at the mouth of the San Juan or in Anasazi Canyon.

Time to reach mouth of San Juan River from Rainbow Bridge: 1.5 hours.

On a 5-day trip, allow enough time for travel to Rock Creek Bay near RED BUOY 36A. There are three Canyons in the area: Rock Creek Can- yon, Middle Rock Creek Canyon and Dry Rock Creek Canyon. Each one offers beaches for anchoring and fantastic fishing along with breathtak- ing sunrises and sunsets against towering buttes. In this area, you’ll find several small arches and caves. You can even drive your PWC or small powerboat directly into one cave in the back of Rock Creek Canyon. This area is out of the wind, making it an ideal location for waterskiing.

Head up to Hole in the Rock at red buoy 64. You can drive your houseboat or smaller boat right up to its base and tie off. Hole in the Rock marks the place where the Mormon San Juan missionaries searched for a new route across the Colorado River in 1879. They spent 45 days blasting the rock to permit passage down a mile-long grade that descends 1,064 feet.

Approximately 233 people, 83 horses, ox-drawn wagons and several hundred cows and sheep traveled down the slope. All were lowered down with ropes and rowed across the swiftly flowing Colorado River on a boat that was assembled on the river’s shore. It’s remarkable to visit this place and realize that not a single person or animal was lost during the trek.

Hole in the Rock offers an arduous trail for experienced hikers and requires you to scale large rocks and boulders. At the top, you’ll experience an incredible sense of accomplishment. There’s even a sign-in area for those who make it all the way.

On the evening of Day 6, we recommend that you head back down lake to an area between buoys 46 & 28 to look for a place to camp. There are many small canyons that offer good anchoring beaches just off the main stream.

If time permits, Mountain Sheep, West Canyon, and Dungeon Canyon all offer solitude, small hikes and great fishing. At the mouth of Last Chance Bay, you’ll see Gregory Butte—a rock formation shaped like a camel. NOTE: As you approach the back of these canyons, watch for light colored areas of the water where rocks are just beneath the surface. They could damage your boat’s bottom or propeller. 

When heading back to the marina, allow time for your return trip to Boat Rentals. Make sure you have enough time to refuel by returning promptly at your scheduled time. If you are staying in Last Chance Bay allow at least 3 hours for your return trip. As you reach the Narrows, remember to travel at a safe, slow speed while you share the waterway with many other boaters and tour boats.

If you require assistance getting into the dock, call on the marine radio once you approach Wahweap Bay. Continue to just outside the break- water of Stateline Boat Rentals and wait for assistance. During peak season there may be a longer wait.

After refueling, settle into the T-Dock to disembark. Our staff will help you unload if you wish. Just ask your Houseboat Attendant for assistance and we’ll gladly take your gear, luggage and belongings from your houseboat to your vehicle. You will need to have the staff check the boat and sign off on your checklist before proceeding to the office for your refund.

We hope you have a Lake Powell Houseboat Vacation that rewards you with a lifetime of great memories. We’d love to see you again next year!