Lake Powell: What’s New and Notable for Families

Lake Powell, a family-favorite vacation destination in the American Southwest, lies between Utah and Arizona — an ideal place to rent a houseboat and spend your time exploring the lake and its shores as a family, enjoying the sun, the water and plenty of adventure.

For the 2020 season, there is even more reason for families to visit the lake.

A brand new fleet of Nomad Houseboats was added at the Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas for families to rent for the duration of their stay. These 50-foot-long, 18-foot-wide boats were designed to provide guests with better maneuverability and handling so they can more easily access all parts of the lake.

The Nomads are an addition to the marina’s already extensive fleet, offering an impressive selection of houseboats to choose from, ranging from the 46-foot Expedition, one of the fleet’s economy options, all the way to the 75-foot Odyssey, a top-of-the-line luxury houseboat.

Boating on Lake Powell. Photo: Bruce Jenkins – Dreamstime.com

The Nomad has two bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 people. Onboard amenities include a fully functional kitchen, a 48-inch LED television with Blu-ray, and plenty of living space. Each boat also includes a spiral tube slide for the kids.

The marina offers additional rentals of powerboats and pontoon boats guests can tow along for use on the lake. These smaller boats make it easy to explore Lake Powell’s incredible scenery and are great for pairing with water toys like wake boards, knee boards and water skis.

For those who want a quieter, calmer experience, there are also kayaks and paddleboards available to rent, which make it easy to not only get your exercise in, but to explore the nooks and crannies of the lake that other houseboats boats can’t access.

While on the lake be sure to take time to enjoy the local sites, like Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the largest natural stone bridge in the world. The area has plenty of great hiking trails with incredible desert scenery to explore.

All the houseboats come with fully furnished kitchens, but you aren’t forced to cook on your vacation. The marina offers several on-shore dining options so you can relax and be completely pampered. The resort’s pool is also available to use during your stay if you want a change of scenery.

For families who have never “houseboated” before, the marina offers a special training program. Houseboating 101 details everything you need to know before hitting the lake with the family. Starting at $399, this two-person package provides you with a two-night stay at the resort, lunch and breakfast, and five–six hours of instruction on boating rules and houseboat orientation, along with navigating, powering, docking and anchoring a boat.

Rates for the Nomad houseboats start at $1,714 for a four-day rental, plus a $600 damage deposit fee. Rentals are available for a minimum of four days and a maximum of seven days. Each private vehicle is required to pay a $30 park entrance fee, valid for a seven-day stay.