Lake Powell Houseboat Trip
This past summer, we went to one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been to!! Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in the United States located in Utah/Arizona on the Colorado River. Fun fact: it took 17 years to fill the lake up to the high water mark. It’s about 3700 ft above sea level. Insane.
So my friend Shelby and I were lucky enough to meet up with some of my family at the Wawheap Marina in Arizona/Utah. My family actually did a few things prior to us getting to the lake. If you have some extra time, I highly suggest looking into some cool spots along the way. Check out this road trip I did a few years back.
We drove from OC and decided to stop at the half waypoint to break up the drive. AKA VEGAS! Thanks to Shelby’s credit card points we were able to get a free room at the high-class Treasure Island Hotel with a beautiful view of a wall ;) Ballin’ #workhardplayhard #grindallday
From Vegas, we drove another 4-5 hours to Lake Powell. Actually, I drove the entire way because Shelby forgot to request PTO and had to work. Shelby was frantically working in the passenger’s seat with her laptop and hot spot haha #Workingfromcar
We were in absolute awe when we first drove up!! We got a houseboat for 5 nights and my cousin brought his sports boat - this is a must! If you don’t have one, then I suggest renting one so you can go tubing, wakeboarding, or water skiing during the day. Watch my brothers video below of our trip:D
I didn’t shower the entire time trip and didn’t feel guilty one bit. My best advice is to explore the lake all day and try not to get lost :) . There are so many cool coves and cliff jumping spots all throughout the lake. I would tell you where to see all those, but honestly, I have no idea since everything looks the same. Also, there is no phone service. And also, my 18-year-old cousin was the one driving us around while we enjoyed our cocktails soooooo yeah srry :)
Our goal the entire trip was to ride a jet ski. We manifested this and guess what? On day 3, another houseboat parks right next to ours and they have JETSKIS… IT WAS OUR CHANCE. We invited the guys on our boat in hopes that they would offer us a ride in return. They definitely didn't… lol. Sooo I guess if you are a semi-famous YouTube sensation, you are too cool to share. Okay noted.
Later that evening, we ended up going to the neighbor’s boat for drinks. I look out onto the very dark waters and I see a faint shadow. I look more closely and it’s freaking Shelby stealing the jet ski and riding into the night 😂 Alright I see you, but where was my invite???
Oh and lastly, always expect the unexpected. On day 4, while I was wake surfing in the beautiful, 120-degree, sunny, hot ass weather, a GIANT rainstorm comes rolling in! Our entire houseboat floated off the beach and all of our camping stuff flew down the beaches. It was every man for himself and survival of fittest. We were getting pelted by rain and trying to catch all of our belongings mid air. Wild.
Helpful Tips and Links:
Lake Powell House Boat - Wahweap Marina
We rented the Nomad Houseboat which was very roomy for 10 of us. It also has a BBQ , rooftop deck, and full kitchen.
Things to not forget: sunscreen, floaties to lay in the water, ice tray to make ice, more alcohol than you think, hydroflask (for water and cocktails) games (cards, cornhole, spikeball, frisbee), towels, sunglasses, liquid iv/emergency-c, lotion, chapstick/Aquaphor, if you have a large group and go on a houseboat try to bring an extra foldable table for the deck.
Reserve water stuff the same time as you are getting the boat: kayaka, Jet skis etc definitely do this ASAP before they sell out.
There is no service which was an amazing detach from reality, but also heads up so that you are prepared and have a map of where you are located!!
For food my aunt did all the grocery shopping right before and planned out 1 main meal a day for everyone. During the day we would just snack and have leftovers in between the boat rides.
Lastly, make sure someone knows how to drive a large boat and how to anchor it so you don’t float away.
