Note: The Glen Canyon landscape has changed significantly due to the ongoing drought in the American Southwest, and is an ever-changing and dynamic region. For the most up-to-date information on water levels and closures, we suggest you visit https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/changing-lake-levels.htm.
This story was created in partnership with Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.
Welcome to Your Insta-Worthy Home Away from Home
When we arrived at the Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas Wahweap Campground, we checked in, and within minutes were standing outside an Airstream—the ultimate way to camp. The Airstream had all the fun amenities of camping, like a fire pit, grill, picnic table, and chairs, while still giving us a clean and comfortable space to hang out in. We were, to say the least, pretty dang excited.
As the evening light came over the campground, we reluctantly left our Airstream to head over to the main resort area for dinner. The light was so gorgeous, I couldn’t help but take tons of photos!
The resort has several dining choices. We opted for the Driftwood Lounge, a cool and modern bar connected to the Rainbow Room, the lodge’s main restaurant. With a full panel wall of glass that afforded us epic views of the lake, we enjoyed some wine and a nice dinner after such a long drive. The menu featured a fall vegetable and quinoa salad paired with a Sauvignon Blanc, which was a delicious and fresh alternative to the fast food we’d endured that afternoon. We watched the sun set and took in the beautiful views.
The restaurants open up onto a patio with spectacular views of the lake. With a pool, comfy outdoor couches, and fire pits, it makes for the perfect spot to wind down the evening. We walked around, enjoyed the views, and got excited for our plans for the upcoming weekend.
Breakfast with a View
The next morning, we woke up excited to start our day. We headed to the Rainbow Room for a breakfast buffet, with a side of gorgeous sunrise. The views from the dining room had us itching to get out onto the lake, but the smell of bacon gave us a reason to take our time.
Touring Antelope Canyon
After breakfast, we were finally ready to get out onto the water. We checked in at the Boat Tours desk in the lodge’s lobby, settled in with a Starbucks coffee from the Wind Tapas Bar, and adjusted our camera settings. When our guide called us up, we walked down to the marina and checked out the boats. When the captain had everyone loaded up, we were ready to go!
The walls of Antelope Canyon soared above us as we coasted on the water. The colors had my mind turning to art projects, and a potential remodel in the color scheme of desert-red rock walls and blue sky. The Canyon Adventures Tour is a great way to view the canyon from a whole new perspective and learn a little history about the area and dam system.
Hike to the Hanging Gardens
After some time on the water, I wanted to get back into the desert proper. The Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas website was super helpful for giving us some ideas about where to go for a day hike. They give you the option to sort arrival to the trailhead by land or by boat, making it easy to plan ahead for boating outings as well. The Hanging Gardens is a quick and easy hike to a beautiful and cool desert oasis. Desert flowers dotted the path, and at the end, a cliff overhang where vegetation could make a home in the desert heat. It was a beautiful and peaceful way to end the afternoon.
Rent a Powerboat, Trust Us
This was definitely Kyle’s favorite part of the trip. The staff at the marina had us set up in no time, and soon we were zooming around the lake. Since we were there in early April (still considered an off-season time), we were the only people on the lake. We had the whole place to ourselves! We enjoyed the views of Castle Rock and made some future plans involving a houseboat.
Hike to Horseshoe Bend
We’ve all seen the epic pictures on Instagram and Pinterest, but people, let me tell you. It is totally different in person. The vastness of Horseshoe Bend canyon is difficult to put into words or a photograph. You’ll just have to go experience it for yourselves. Pro-tip: look up what time either sunrise or sunset is, and plan to be there just before, then you’ll be guaranteed to show up for the best light.
Lake Powell: From Adventure to Relaxation
Balance is what life is all about, right? That’s what we loved so much about our stay at Lake Powell. We had the excitement of hiking and boating, and then the balance of relaxation. Drinking coffee and reading in the Airstream gave us the opportunity to soak in our trip and enjoy some down time.
Our stay at Lake Powell had a little bit of everything, but it had a lot of convenience. With a campground and store, high-end dining, and marinas all in such close proximity, we didn’t have to do any planning ahead of time. As a major planner myself, it was an added bonus to have every detail thoughtfully taken care of before we arrived. The ease of staying at the resort allowed us to give our minds a break, and just enjoy. We barely scratched the surface of what there is to do at Lake Powell: slot canyons, houseboating, Rainbow Bridge. We were planning our next visit before we even left. The sunsets weren’t too bad either.
Interested in visiting? Check out Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas website to learn more.
