Lake Powell is vast — more than 180 miles long, with a shoreline that winds for something close to 1,900 miles through drowned red rock canyons. Getting out on the water is one of the best things to do in Page, and for years the headline trips were the boat cruises to Antelope Canyon and Rainbow Bridge.
Here's the situation as it stands: the lake's water level has dropped dramatically, and several of the most famous boat tours are currently suspended. Others are running normally, and kayak tours have actually become more rewarding as a result.
This guide covers what's bookable now, what isn't, and how to choose. The one boat product featured on this site is a small-group photography excursion rather than one of the large scheduled cruises — it runs independently of the suspended Aramark trips.
Important: Current Tour Status
Lake Powell has been sitting at roughly a fifth of its full capacity — around 3,520 feet of elevation against a full pool of 3,700 feet. That has direct consequences for which boats can reach where.
Currently suspended (as of the most recent information available). The Antelope Canyon boat cruise from Wahweap Marina is listed as unavailable until further notice, and the Rainbow Bridge boat tour is also listed as unavailable until further notice.
Currently operating from Wahweap Marina. The Navajo Canyon boat tour, a scenic cruise into a dramatic side canyon; the Scenic Dam Cruise, around 90 minutes, taking in Glen Canyon Dam from the water; a dinner cruise, roughly two hours aboard a larger vessel; and private charters, customisable trips on the north or south sections of the lake.
Why the Water Level Matters So Much
Lake Powell is a reservoir, and its level rises and falls with snowpack, runoff and downstream demand. After years of drought it has sat far below historic highs.
The practical effects for visitors: some side canyons become unreachable by boat as channels shallow out; the Rainbow Bridge dock no longer reaches dry land, adding a significant walk to reach the monument even when tours do run; and launch ramps close or shift as the shoreline retreats.
Kayaking improves. Lower water exposes beaches and opens up narrow side canyons that larger boats can't enter — genuinely good news for paddlers.
None of this makes Lake Powell less spectacular. The exposed canyon walls reveal geology that was underwater for decades, and the scenery remains extraordinary. It just changes which trips work.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
A day on the water pairs naturally with everything else around Page. Most visitors combine it with the light beams of Upper Antelope Canyon, the ladder descent into Lower Antelope Canyon, the Horseshoe Bend overlook, or the 4×4 run into Secret Antelope Canyon. Travellers driving in from Las Vegas or Sedona often book a full-day trip that bundles several stops around Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell into one reservation. Browse live options below.
The Boat Tours Currently Running
Navajo Canyon boat tour. The pick of the currently operating cruises for scenery. Navajo Canyon is a deep, narrow side canyon with towering sandstone walls, and the boat takes you well inside it. It's the closest available substitute for the suspended Antelope Canyon cruise.
Scenic Dam Cruise. Around 90 minutes on the water with views of Glen Canyon Dam and the Glen Canyon Bridge from below — a perspective you can't get from land. Good for a shorter outing or a first taste of the lake.
Dinner cruise. A roughly two-hour evening cruise aboard a larger boat, with a meal served on board. Popular for sunset light on the canyon walls.
Private charters. If you have a specific stretch of lake in mind, or a group, charters run on both the northern and southern sections.
Practical note: tours depart from Wahweap Marina, just outside Page. Plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure.
Glen Canyon Dam Tours
Separate from the boat trips, and well worth doing.
The Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam offers free admission, exhibits on the dam's construction, and dramatic views over the gorge. Guided tours descend into the dam itself, typically running around 45 minutes.
Two things to know: tours involve airport-style security screening, and bags are generally not permitted — plan to leave them in your vehicle. Tours are arranged through the visitor center and can sell out in peak season.
Kayak Tours: The Standout Alternative
If the suspended Antelope Canyon boat cruise was what drew you, kayaking is the answer — and arguably the better experience.
Independent operators run guided kayak and paddleboard trips launching from Antelope Point, a separate launch area from the Wahweap Marina cruises. Typical formats are a shorter paddle of around two and a half hours, or a longer paddle-and-hike combination of roughly four and a half hours, adding time exploring on foot.
Low water levels have improved these trips, opening up narrow side canyons and exposed beaches that were inaccessible at higher levels. You get right up against the sandstone in a way no large boat allows.
Most operators require an orientation session shortly before launch, and there are minimum age requirements — younger children typically ride tandem with an adult. No prior experience is generally needed.
Note that these water-based trips into the lower Antelope Canyon area are entirely distinct from the slot canyon tours that Antelope Canyon is famous for — those are on land, on Navajo Nation soil, and require an authorized guide. See our Upper Antelope Canyon tours guide for the canyon itself.
Fees & Practicalities
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee applies per vehicle and is valid for several days. Unlike Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, this is a federal site — so America the Beautiful and other national park passes are accepted here.
A few practical points. The park operates cashless — bring a card. A separate vessel pass is required if you're bringing your own motorised boat. And boat tour prices vary by trip length and type; confirm current rates when booking.
Our Page, Arizona travel guide explains how the three different fee jurisdictions around Page work — it catches out most first-time visitors.
When to Go
Summer is peak season — hot, busy, and the best time for swimming and time on the water.
Spring and autumn offer more comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds, though the water is cooler and some tour schedules reduce.
Winter sees limited operations and cold conditions on the lake; many tours run reduced schedules or pause entirely.
Whenever you go, check the current schedule directly — seasonal operations vary and water levels add another layer of unpredictability.
Fitting Lake Powell Into a Page Trip
Lake Powell pairs naturally with the rest of the area, but it's the element most often squeezed out of a short visit.
If you're in Page for one night, you'll likely only manage Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. A second night is what makes Lake Powell viable — a morning cruise or kayak trip fits comfortably alongside a midday canyon tour the day before.
Sensible sequencing: Day 1 — Antelope Canyon (midday slot) plus Horseshoe Bend at sunset. Day 2 — Lake Powell boat tour or kayak trip, plus Glen Canyon Dam.
See our Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend itinerary guide for how this fits into a longer road trip, and our Horseshoe Bend guide for the overlook.