Lake Powell Houseboat Wedding & Elopement Guide
How to Get Married on a Houseboat at Lake Powell
Looking for epic desert landscapes and the experience of a life time?
Then you’ve come to the right place. After traveling to this magical desert setting countless times in my life, I’ve created the ultimate elopement guide getting married on a Houseboat at Lake Powell.
The most common question I get asked when talking about Lake Powell weddings is: HOW do you get married there, and on a houseboat? It seems like a pretty wild idea, but I promise you it’s well worth the effort.
Here’s the overall concept in the simplest form (don’t worry, we’ll get into the step-by-step process at the end here):
Invite 10-20 of your closest friends and family members (OR keep it simple and just you two!)
Rent 2 houseboats, or just 1 big one depending on your group size (houseboats can legally only have 12 people sleeping on board)
Bring or rent power boats or jetskis (and kayaks or any other water toys!)
Enjoy your first 2 days relaxing and enjoying the lake (and building up your tan!)
Then I will meet up with you guys (send your boat out to get me!) and we will find an epic place to have you say your vows.
We’ll all head back to your houseboat where you could string lights all along the top deck, bring a speaker, blast some tunes, drink some good beer, eat some good food, and party the night away!
Where & What is Lake Powell?
Lake Powell is an artificial reservoir on the Colorado River that starts in super northern Arizona in Page on the border with Utah. The lake is mostly in Southern Utah and has 2 main marinas which we will talk about shortly. The Lake was created by the flooding of Glen Canyon by the dam, which led to this area being called the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, under the management of the National Park Service. The lake has 1960 miles of shoreline - incredible! Which creates so many great options for houseboat camping. Lake Powell is a man-made lake located on the border of Arizona and Utah. It is the second largest man-made lake in the United States, covering about 186,000 acres. The lake was created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River in the 1960s.
Lake Powell is known for its clear, blue waters and stunning red rock canyon walls. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water sports, and is home to a variety of plant and animal life. Lake Powell is a popular vacation destination, with many rental houseboats and other accommodations available. The lake is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the warmer months from May to September.
And what exactly is houseboating? Think of it as an adventurous glamping experience on the water!
If you’re down for the road trip, it’s easiest (logistically) to drive to the marinas and load up your car with any items you need from home! It allows you more packing flexibility, and you can bring your dog if you want. Flying will likely save you time if you’re coming from more than a state away, but eliminates the option to tow any Personal Watercraft you may have or be renting from off-lake, and limits the amount you can pack with you. But, you could still rent from the marina if you wanted to (more on this later).
Bullfrog Marina: If you fly, Salt Lake City is your closest main airport option. You would then have to rent a car to drive 4 hours to Bullfrog Marina, leave the rental car parked there for the week, and do all your grocery shopping on the way.
Wahweap Marina: the closest main airport is Phoenix, about a 4 hour drive from the south.
Getting There
Lake Powell Weather
Seasons
June through August is easily the best time for a wedding or elopement at Lake Powell. June 3rd-August 20th is considered “peak season” for house boating which means you’ll be paying higher prices. We always visit the lake August 21st or 22nd, when you can snag the “non peak/shoulder season” rates, but still enjoy the perfect weather!
It starts to warm in April and May with average temperatures in the 60s and some days in the low 70s. Which is great weather as long as you have a light jacket, you don’t mind the wind, and don’t plan to swim much or do water activities. The Lake definitely has less people this time of year and you’ll get the shoulder season rates.
Starting in June and going through early September you’ll experience the best & warmest weather on the Lake, allowing you to take full advantage of the water. The average water temperature hits the 90s by August.
In July and August, the heat really picks up with averages around 100 degrees. It can be a scorcher for a wedding or elopement unless you have some water involved in the festivities. But if you do stay on land in the area and decide to spend time hiking before or after the big day, you’ll want to get extremely early starts (right at sunrise) to beat the heat.
Water Levels
It’s no secret that the water level at Lake Powell has been at a historical low and wreaking all kinds of havoc. It’s caused several boat ramps and even one small marina to be permanently shut down, and made others have to extend their ramps continually to reach the declining water level. However, Wahweap and Bullfrog Marina are still open and operating for boat launches as well and they have adjusted as needed!
It’s important now more than ever to pay attention to shallow waters and protruding rocks.
On the plus side, this means there’s a whole new opportunity for adventure and exploration on the lake! With lower water levels means new beaches, new canyons to walk, and more!
Wind & Microbursts
Lake Powell can experience high winds, usually between February and June. However, April is the windiest month of the year, and you can often see massive clouds of dust and sand covering the sky or hovering on the horizon.
The last weather factor to be aware of is monsoon season from July to September. The lake can experience “microbursts” which carry large amounts of rain and wind in them, usually with lightning as well. These microbursts come on quickly and usually don’t last very long, but can be scary. This can be dangerous if you are extremely exposed on a boat on the lake or in transit when the storm hits.
If a windstorm or microburst hits you while on the lake, it’s extremely important to secure all of your items on the boat/items attached to the boat, and to check that all of your anchors are sturdy and secure. The last thing you want is your boat to start drifting away in a storm or to get battered up. When choosing your campsite, be aware of how “boxed in” you may be with the canyon walls. In the event of a flash flood, you may be parked in a dangerous location and need a quick exit.
WARNING: When hiking, NEVER go in a slot canyon if there is any forecasted rain that day. Slot canyons make you extremely vulnerable to flash flooding which kills many people every year.
Planning Your Houseboat Wedding
Step 1: See which marina is closest to you
Bullfrog Marina is located at the Northwestern part of the lake in Utah, while Wahweap is located at the Southwestern part of the lake in Arizona. If you’re looking to extend your trip off the boat, I would recommend Wahweap as this marina is close to several popular attractions (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, etc). If you’re coming from the north, Bullfrog will be much closer for you to drive to!
Depending on which marina you use, you’ll stick to that part of exploring the lake most likely. Due to the amount of time it takes to move the houseboat and the cost of fuel (see gas section below) it would maximize your time on the lake to stick to one half of the lake, maybe even a smaller area than that depending on the duration of your trip.
Step 2: Pick your houseboat / personal watercraft rentals
The marinas offer a multitude of sizes of houseboats as well as different quality levels to accommodate both large and smaller budgets. Use their houseboat comparison tool where you can adjust the length of the trip, size of the boat, guest size, and budget to find a boat that fits your needs. For a lower budget, you could expect to spend about $2,000 on the boat alone for a 5 day trip, and on the high end for the largest most luxurious boat for 7 days $10,000.
They also rent out power boats, jet skis, and lots of water toys. If you are trying to stick to a tighter budget, I recommend renting powerboats or water toys from Craigslist or FB Marketplace in Salt Lake City or Phoenix and towing/hauling them yourself to the lake.
Step 3: Choose your dates & length of trip
The best time of year to visit the lake is the end of August, but any part of summer will do! While you can totally get a great experience out of a 5 day trip, I would suggest 7 days to really get the most out of your lake trip!
Step 4: Hire me to help you plan your most epic trip yet!
Upon booking I will send you a full on travel guide for planning your trip and elopement! Whether it’s just you two, or if you’re bringing friends and family along to celebrate. In this guide I’ll include sample itineraries, activity options based on your/your group’s interest, a packing list, an actual elopement guide, and much more!
Step 5: Say “I do” and party the week away!
Your actual wedding or elopement on the boat could look a NUMBER of different ways! You could go all out and hire a private chef for the night and bring table and chair rentals to your rooftop or on land. For this route, I would recommend a florist as well! Or you could keep it simple with BBQ food, summer lake-night party vibes and just dance, swim, stargaze, drink, party the night away! The beautiful thing about this houseboat wedding idea is that you get to spend so much quality time with the people you love, doing fun things all week and making memories together every step of the way with this shared celebratory experience.
If you’re wanting to legally get married on the trip and not at a courthouse at home before or after, I would ask on of your family members or friends to get ordained in Utah!
Where Adventure Meets Beauty
Choose Lake Powell for the most epic celebration experience
Houseboating Info & Tips
How houseboating works
The general idea when renting a houseboat is that it’s basically a travel trailer but for the water. For a 7 day trip, you’ll likely want to move the boat every 2-3 days (give or take) so you can experience multiple different campsites and explore different parts of the lake. For a shorter 5 day trip you may only want to move once (which means 2 campsites). Don’t fret if no one in your group has boating experience! While it is a new skill to learn how to drive and operate a large boat, the marina has several helpful resources to teach you what you need to know to operate the houseboat. Online training videos are important to watch ahead of time and be aware of all safety guidelines. Anyone can drive a houseboat who is 18 years of age and older with a valid drivers license. The marina staff do a comprehensive instructional period with you so you can feel comfortable driving. The marinas include complimentary captain services to get you in and out of the marina area, plus they offer captain services for your time on the lake for an additional fee if you are not comfortable operating the boat at all.
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Gas prices are important to consider when planning for your houseboat trip - both fuel for the houseboat and your powerboats and other watercraft! Houseboat fuel tanks are pretty large and they burn through a lot of fuel per hour of running engine time. When thinking about moving the boat to multiple campsites on your trip, you also need to consider if you’ll have to find a fuel station in between locations. There are only 3 active fuel stations on the lake for boats right now (2022) due to the low water level, so you need to plan in advance your route and if you’ll have to backtrack at all to get gas.
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While all houseboats have at least one bedroom on board, I’ve always found the best way to experience the Lake is to all sleep on the roof! The temperatures are perfect at night to have just a sheet and light blanket over you. You’ll fall asleep to star gazing at the Milky Way, and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to hear & watch bats darting around the night sky catching bugs. Tip: when you arrive at the marina request extra bed cushions for the roof! They are super comfortable and waterproof for using to lay on during the day.
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A boat of some kind (in addition to the houseboat) is definitely a must-have. Having a powerboat opens up the door to so many other activities on the lake! Water sports are AMAZING on the lake because the water is so warm! A powerboat also allows you to go explore other canyons without having to move your houseboat. It can also help you scout for new locations to park the houseboat. Depending on which houseboat you get and how many refrigerators, people, and coolers you plan to bring, a boat may be necessary for ice runs to and from the marinas or fuel docks. As for water toys, these obviously aren’t necessary but they are the BEST way to take advantage of the beautiful lake and warm water temperatures! There are several narrow slot canyons that are only accessible via paddle board, kayak, or jetski. Your houseboat can tow your powerboat or small personal watercraft behind it. Lastly, it’s always smart to pack at least one floaty per person! We brought 2 per person that were different styles. Some that allow you to be almost completely submerged in water, and some that keep you mostly above the water.
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The boat comes with a fully equipped and stocked kitchen, but it is absolutely necessary to bring your own large coolers (as many as you can, honestly!) The refrigerator on the boat only works up to 90 degrees outside, and once it passes that temperature your food will become almost room temp. Perishables MUST go in a cooler with ice. The boats do provide a cooler, but one is definitely not enough. We had 4, and wish we would have had more! For grocery shopping I recommend you shop beforehand and FREEZE EVERYTHING. Or only buy frozen and canned foods. Any food you freeze on your own, make sure to put in plastic baggies so that the melted ice water doesn’t soak your food and lead to molding. It also helps a lot to premake meals and freeze them to make your cooking on the boat easier. If you need some last minute things along the way, there is a Costco in Provo. Don’t forget an entire cooler full of drinks! It’s super important to stay hydrated, so it helps to pack LOTS of different drink options. Our favorite thing we packed was coconut water to help us stay hydrated. If you are interested in having your food delivered to you, you can check out Wahweap Marina’s Grocery Delivery Program.
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Park entrance fees, fee information available here
3% Utility Pass-Through Charge for the park
4.5% Construction Set Aside Fee for the park
State taxes
Damage Deposit or Waiver of Liability Insurance. The cost of this depends on which houseboat you rent. Learn more.
Rental fees for water toys, such as skis or wakeboard packages, tubes, or kayaks
If you bring your pet, there is a daily charge per pet. Pets not allowed on the 65' Axiom.
Packing List
To be honest, you only need five essential items to survive at Lake Powell: Swimsuits, sun glasses, hat, sunscreen & aloe vera!
Clothing: in addition to a few swimsuits, I will usually pack a couple pair of comfortable shorts that are light weight, quick-dry, & easy to walk in, I also love a couple baggy t-shirts and tank tops that make for great swimsuit coverups. If you burn easily, you’ll definitely want to pack some sun shirts that you can swim in and wear throughout the day to cover up your skin from the intense sun! Water sandals are super important as well.
Lake items: As mentioned earlier, I would bring a few different floaties per person along with multiple pairs of sunglasses and hats in case you lose one (which happens often). Beach towels are a necessity too of course! Bug spray is also good to have, not every campsite will have bugs but depending on how close you are to the end of a canyon you could find yourself surrounded by lots of small bugs in the evenings. If you have a Go Pro, definitely bring it to capture any water sports you do! If you’re into fishing, definitely bring all your fishing gear! The lake has some great fishing opportunities.
Environment conscious packing: only use reef-safe sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner. To be honest, I usually only pack shampoo and wash my hair in the lake one time during the trip. You’ll be in the water SO much that you likely won’t need traditional showers.
Food items: seasonings, condiments, oil, ziplocks/Tupperware for leftovers.
Safety/other items: we usually bring a number of additional items for the boat specifically and for safety purposes. Lots of extra rope (comes in handy for tying many different things to the boat), shovels, first aid kits, aluminum Foil or pie Plates (to put on the houseboat lines to keep critters from boarding the boat), tarp for extra shade,
SAFETY WARNING: there are scorpions & rattlesnakes on land around the lake. On a previous family trip of mine my uncle got bit by a scorpion and had to endure a 4 hour boat ride back to the marina, followed by a long trip to the Emergency Room. Always be on the lookout, NEVER flip rocks over with your hands - use a stick or the bottom of your shoe & backup quickly just in case there’s something underneath it won’t be able to bite as easily!
Wedding & Elopement Packages
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Wedding & Elopement Packages 〰️
Full Day $7,500
8 hours of coverage
Many locations!
Sunrise to sunset and everything in between
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
Half Day $6,000
4 hours of coverage
2-3 locations on the lake
Sunrise OR sunset
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
Golden Hour $4,500
2.5 hours of coverage (for elopements ONLY)
1-2 locations by boat
Sunrise OR sunset - to get the best lighting
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations and help planning your timeline
