Planning a Lake Powell Trip for 2026 – Looking for Advice

[RVR2SNO]

I’m hoping to start planning a Lake Powell trip for 2026. It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been, so I’m not even sure where to start.

It’ll be my family—my wife and I and our three kids, who will be 13, 11, and 7 next year. We also have a 24’ Laveycraft.

I’m planning to invite our friends group as well, so we may need 2 to 3 houseboats total. I figure one houseboat can comfortably accommodate two families. I don’t want the cheapest and don’t need top shelf.

Do you recommend launching out of Antelope or Wahweap? Any advice, tips, or guidance would be greatly appreciated as I start pulling this together.

Oh, and what months are generally better than others or is it irrelevant? June, July, August?

Thanks so much!

 

[J DUNN]

Plan to be VERY under-whelmed with even the "top grade" rental houseboat.

 

[J DUNN]

You can likely buy a share for half of what you can rent a HB for. But I get there are other factors to consider there.

 

[D Mac]

Late August, September are best months. Cooling off but water is still warm. 4th of July gets pretty busy. Camp spots and bays you'll go to with the rental HB's will be crowded. Expect a storm at least 1 day of your stay July through early August. Part of the deal. Same as you probably had 20yrs ago.

 

[JFMFG]

Following. I’d like to plan a houseboat trip with my family just don’t know where to start either.

 

[Wbinder]

I’m hoping to start planning a Lake Powell trip for 2026. It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been, so I’m not even sure where to start.

It’ll be my family—my wife and I and our three kids, who will be 13, 11, and 7 next year. We also have a 24’ Laveycraft.

I’m planning to invite our friends group as well, so we may need 2 to 3 houseboats total. I figure one houseboat can comfortably accommodate two families. I don’t want the cheapest and don’t need top shelf.

Do you recommend launching out of Antelope or Wahweap? Any advice, tips, or guidance would be greatly appreciated as I start pulling this together.

Oh, and what months are generally better than others or is it irrelevant? June, July, August?

Thanks so much!

I just came one here to basically write this same post, looking forward to all the info given. I’ve never been to Powell before too so this would be our first.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Renting out of antelope is preferable in my opinion. You will save an hour each way vs wahweep. If you are going for a week that extra hour out and hour back might not be a big deal, but the cut isn’t going to open (once again, my opinion not fact) . That section between wahweep and antelope can get very nautical!

 

[mesquito_creek]

Following. I’d like to plan a houseboat trip with my family just don’t know where to start either.

Break out your credit card and book it! Buy twice as much beer as you think you need… that’s all I got.

 

[CLCookie]

I have done Powell since 1983, now own a shared ownership and go at least 9 days a year. Hopefully more when I retire.

You do need muscle when anchoring or when a storm rolls up on you, two men alone will be tough. I always try to have at least 3 able dudes on the boat. Of course, smaller houseboat needs less deck hands.

Ice, if the boat doesn't have an ice maker, bring one someway, you will go thru more ice than you plan. Nobody likes cocktails without ice.

We go out of Wahweep, but we launch at 6am, so the drive thru the channel isn't an issue.

Preplan meals, freeze as much as you can.

For your boat, bring a couple different types of anchors, box anchors don't always work on smooth rocks, also bring more anchor lines than you think you need. I have an 150' anchor line I bring, and it usually gets used.

Bring a good set of tools, the rental boats always need something fixed.

This is just off the top of my head, I will remember more.....

 

[mash on it]

This might be enough beer for the week.

Dan'l

 

[Meaney77]

Plan with a family you know really well- even a large house boat with several kids and differences in opion can become very small after a week long trip out there.

 

[throttle]

My .02 as an early thought... I concur with Mesquito_Creek, Antelope Point will be a better take off point for the 2026 water year (unless we get a huge winter and spring snowpack at end of '25 and early '26). Book in advance for sure, watch for some of the specials they offer.

Water will be peaking in early July, yeah its hot, but a factor to consider if you plan to launch the lavey. If we see the water drop this summer, we have to sustain 3540 feet to launch at AP. Trends seem to show 20-30 feet of water needed to reach the next runoff. Right now (3558 feet), IMO its gonna be close for 2026. I hope I am wrong!

You won't recognize it and your family will be blown away at Powell with everything it has to offer. Make it happen! Thank me later.

 

[throttle]

I just came one here to basically write this same post, looking forward to all the info given. I’ve never been to Powell before too so this would be our first.

Ya don't need a houseboat to see and do Powell, just sayin. Plan your trip, stay in Page or Wahweap, get a boat slip (in ADVANCE), Antelope Point lets you book a year out, even more maybe. Go explore, its rad as F!

 

[DaveH]

the only advantage to renting at antelope is the fact it saves about 8 or 9 miles of the trip up the lake. I would base my rental on who has the right boat, price and size, not because of one location or the other. also, antelope has a Longggggggg walk to get all your gear to the boat compared to wahwheep. the drive difference from page to antelop vs wahwheep is nothing.

 

[RVR2SNO]

Ya don't need a houseboat to see and do Powell, just sayin. Plan your trip, stay in Page or Wahweap, get a boat slip (in ADVANCE), Antelope Point lets you book a year out, even more maybe. Go explore, its rad as F!

I don't mind dragging my 5th wheel toy hauler up there. What are some good RV campgrounds?

 

[mesquito_creek]

I don't mind dragging my 5th wheel toy hauler up there. What are some good RV campgrounds?

Both Antelope and Wahweep have nice RV parks. Antelope is sort of on a hill that is above the marina, but without lake views. Wahweep overlooks Wahweep Bay. Several other new parks in the Page area off the lake. A golf cart of some thing similar would be a really nice baller move at either, but there are golf cart services at both that work off tips.

 

[DaveH]

Both Antelope and Wahweep have nice RV parks. Antelope is sort of on a hill that is above the marina, but without lake views. Wahweep overlooks Wahweep Bay. Several other new parks in the Page area off the lake. A golf cart of some thing similar would be a really nice baller move at either, but there are golf cart services at both that work off tips.

stayed in the RV park at Wahwheep many times. GREAT park, not crammed in, hookups etc.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Castle Rock Cut..... Bad News!

 

[CLCookie]

I would guess to say water level this upcoming summer with be within a few feet of last year. Maybe the cut will open for a couple of weeks late July, but don't count on it.

 

[crzy2bealive]

Ya don't need a houseboat to see and do Powell, just sayin. Plan your trip, stay in Page or Wahweap, get a boat slip (in ADVANCE), Antelope Point lets you book a year out, even more maybe. Go explore, its rad as F!

We rented a slip at Antelope. Had to book it a few months ago.

Just doing the hotel thing this year.

 

[spark2678]

I just went on Antelope website and there is nothing available to rent yet in 2026. Maybe I am missing something?

 

[throttle]

I just went on Antelope website and there is nothing available to rent yet in 2026. Maybe I am missing something?

look again, lots of slips available. https://antelope.avtrax.com/cgi-bin/oecgi3.exe/AvTrax?m=boat_slips_grid&dep_cal=21363

 

[spark2678]

N

look again, lots of slips available. https://antelope.avtrax.com/cgi-bin/oecgi3.exe/AvTrax?m=boat_slips_grid&dep_cal=21363

Houseboat rental not slip.