Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona

Lake Powell is a stunning lake on the Colorado River on the border between Arizona and Utah. The lake is man made and 300 km long in a section of the Glen Canyon, and is now also a popular (and impressive) leisure destination.

The lake winds between the canyons and rock formations that are in the 'trademark' red rock of the region, and there are myriads of photo opportunities as you travel around, enhanced because of the contrast between the blue of the water and the orange-red rock.

Constructed during the late 1950's and early 1960's, it seems unlikely that nowadays an area of such extraordinary beauty would be flooded, but history is history, and Lake Powell does provide an exceptional opportunity to admire the region, even if it has flooded a landscape that once had even greater beauty!

One incredible fact - the lake has more shoreline than the entire Western USA coastline!!

The big draw now at Lake Powell is the water - both for half-day/day trip tours among the canyons and to see Rainbow Bridge and for longer stays, passing several days on a houseboat on the lake.

Unfortunately we only had time (and money) for the former during our visit, but will certainly one day return to spend several days drifting among one of the most spectacular landscapes I've ever seen. Houseboats on Lake Powell need to be reserved in advance and cost several thousand dollars to rent for a few days, and sleep up to 10 people.

 

One particular highlight a few yards inshore from the edge of the lake is at Rainbow Bridge, a large natural stone arch (100 metres tall and 100 metres across) and a sacred site for the Native Americans. The site was very hard to reach before the lake was built but is now easily accessible from water craft on the lake - and a popular destination.

When visiting Rainbow Bridge remember that the site remains an important sacred monument for the Native Americans and deserves to be treated respectfully - although I can't imagine any visitor doing anything but being awed into silence anyway!

Another highlight of Lake Powell, Utah - but this time one you probably won't see - is the so called 'cathedral in the desert' - a large cavern of extraordinary multi-coloured beauty with a small slit at the top where sunlight can occasionally enter to light the walls and the hanging gardens that adorn the higher walls. The good news - everyone who has seen it talks in hushed tones about its incredible and unbelievable beauty. The bad news - the cathedral emerged from underwater briefly during a drought in 2005, but has now reflooded and isn't expected to reappear anytime soon. This was not during our visit unfortunately.

The main activities for visitors to Lake Powell include boating, fishing and hiking and camping. jeep tours and horseriding can also be organised.

Entrance fees, rules about waste creation and removal, and licences for fishing also apply at Lake Powell - to protect the natural environment of course. Most activities start from one of the marinas around the lake - there are six in total and Wahmeap (near Page, Arizona) and Bullfrog (near Ticaboo) are the largest.