Month: August 2022

Preparing for a houseboat trip on Lake Powell can seem like a logistical challenge, but it’s doable and so, so worth it. Here are a couple of the main things you’ll have to plan for while scheduling your next vacation at beautiful Lake Powell.

Choose Your Boatmates

One of the biggest joys of a Lake Powell vacation is making memories with the people you take with you. Houseboats can usually fit multiple families, with a maximum capacity of 8 to 15 people or even more. Choose individuals who you love and enjoy spending time with, and who your children will enjoy having adventures with.

However, you do want to think through this decision carefully as even the largest houseboat is still close quarters, and seven days on a boat together can test any friendship. Choose other guests who you think would make good travel companions. It’s also always good to have at least one experienced boat driver in the group.

Schedule Your Itinerary

Next, you’ll have to choose when and where to go on your trip to Lake Powell. Think about what time of year you’ll want to schedule your trip– summer vacation has the best weather, but also the highest prices. The off-season can be a better deal and less crowded, but the water will be a little chillier if you plan on jumping in (which we always recommend!).

Think through which houseboat you’re going to rent. There are a wide variety of sizes and models available, all at different price points. Availability will be affected by which marine you want to launch from. There are a few popular marinas throughout Lake Powell in both Utah and Arizona, and your choice will likely be based on proximity to airports or wherever you’re driving from. 

Lastly, decide on a duration of time for your houseboat rental. Three days might be too short, while over seven days may be too long for families. Between four and seven days is generally the sweet spot, although this depends entirely on your preferences.

Plan Out Your Activities

Once the general timeline is finalized, it’s time to start thinking about the fun stuff. Many houseboat rental companies offer add-on rentals of jet skis, powerboats, tubes and floaties, and other items to give you even more options while out on the water. With additional rentals like these, there will be something for everyone’s speed– literally. It’s usually pretty easy to add these to your houseboat reservation, but you’ll want to get them reserved early as they’re popular items.

You may want to add on additional excursions or guided tours to see some of the incredible destinations located around the lake. Popular options include fishing trips, photography tours, and more.

It’s also time to pull out a map and get a general idea of the route you’re going to take during your Lake Powell adventure. Definitely head out of the main bays if possible, since the peace and solitude of having a section on the lake all to yourself are what Lake Powell is all about.

Professional Guide Services for Your Next Trip to Lake Powell

If you’re hoping to plan a trip for your family or friends group to Lake Powell, let a professional guide outfitter help you take the hassle and guesswork out of the process. Lake Powell Guide Services has a team of professional guides with extensive knowledge of Lake Powell and the surrounding area, so we can help you plan a trip that’s truly once in a lifetime. Make memories you’ll never forget with our guided fishing trips, photography excursions, camping and stargazing trips, and more. Contact us today for more information.

Lake Powell Guides Services is a unique adventure company offering once-in-a-lifetime fishing, photography, and camping excursions around Lake Powell to visitors of all ages and skill levels. If you’re staying on a houseboat, you might think that organized tours aren’t available to you, or maybe won’t be able to add anything to your vacation. But in fact, the tours offered by Lake Powell Guides Services work well with houseboat itineraries and often end up being the highlight of our customers’ trips.

We Meet You Where You Are

One of the best parts about staying on a houseboat in Lake Powell is the total freedom and flexibility. Lake Powell is a huge lake, and with a houseboat, you’re free to explore the length of it, including the many isolated inlets and coves that offer amazing natural beauty and complete serenity. We know you don’t want to travel all the way back to the marina for your tour, which is why we can come to you. We’ll meet you at your houseboat wherever you’re anchored up on the lake, transport you via our boat to your destination, and bring you back to your home on the water after your excursion is finished.

Guided Lake Powell Excursions

Lake Powell Guide Services has something for everything. Each of our high-quality tours is led by a professional tour guide and includes everything you need for a truly memorable day. Our popular services include:

• Fishing trips. Lake Powell has over 2,000 miles of shoreline and nearly 100 canyons, and our expert tour guides can show you the best places for out-of-the-world fishing. We offer both half- and full-day fishing trips where anglers get the chance to enjoy Lake Powell’s world-class fishing conditions and see species such as channel catfish, bass, walleye, and more.
• Photography excursions. A picture is worth a thousand words, and each of our photography excursions focuses on helping you get the perfect shot that captures the indescribable beauty of Lake Powell. We can adapt our tours to any skill level, and conduct them primarily on the water for the most stunning lake views.
• Camping trips. Have you ever wanted to camp on the beach? Our guided camping trips take the stress and hassle out of planning a camping trip since we provide everything you need for a memorable night spent in the middle of nature. Sleep under the open sky and enjoy stargazing in one of the best dark sky locations on earth.

We’re the Local Experts

Each of the tour guides at Lake Powell Guide Services is a local expert who knows the ins and outs of the entire area. In addition to our guided excursions, we’re available to offer houseboat support such as itinerary advice, information about the lake, the best spots to fish or camp, and more.

Professional Guides for Your Next Trip to Lake Powell

Take your Lake Powell houseboat vacation to the next level with once-in-a-lifetime tours from Lake Powell Guided Services. As local experts, our professional guides can provide you with an experience that exceeds expectations and makes your Lake Powell trip truly unique. We specialize in fishing and angling excursions, photography tours, and camping trips. Contact us today to learn more.

With its pristine landscapes and isolated natural areas, Lake Powell is one of the best places for stargazing. Visitors who take the time to look up after dark will be rewarded by a stunning spread of stars and a visible Milky Way. Night sky photography, also called astrophotography, is a great way to fully appreciate Lake Powell’s starry skies while creating beautiful photos that will last for a lifetime and can show even more stars than what the human eye can see on its own.

Astrophotography is a little trickier than regular photography and requires some specific camera gear and settings to get right. However, whether you’re a beginner photographer using your smartphone or a professional with the ultimate gear collection, it’s possible to take incredible astrophotography photos that you’ll be proud to show off.

Follow these tips to take great photos of Lake Powell’s starry skies.

1. Head Somewhere Dark

This might seem self-explanatory, but light pollution from cities, towns, cars, and even flashlights can make it more difficult to see a large number of stars in the night sky. Locations like Lake Powell, which are very isolated from major cities and towns, are ideal for stargazing and astrophotography. Choose the days furthest from a full moon to further reduce light in the sky.

2. Bring a Tripod

Because you’re shooting at night, astrophotography requires a long exposure to take in enough light for the photo. The long shutter speed means that any shakiness from holding the camera will make your picture blurry, so use a tripod to keep your images as crisp and clear as possible.

3. Take Advantage of Night Mode

Many smartphone and digital cameras today come with a pre-programmed setting for taking photos of the night sky. Look for names like “Night Mode” or “Star Scape” in your camera’s settings to make it easier to take great photos as a beginner.

4. Find an Interesting Landscape

The best astrophotography photos aren’t of just the stars– they feature natural elements such as mountains, trees, or water to add interest to the photo. Finding an interesting location can make for a beautiful and eye-catching composition.

5. Set Your Aperture as Low as Possible

Because the night sky is so dark, your camera’s shutter needs to stay open for a longer time to let in enough light for a quality photo. A lens with a low aperture, or f-stop, will make it easier to get that light.

6. Opt for a Wide-Angle Lens

Since astrophotography is a kind of landscape photography, you’ll want to choose a wide-angle lens for your camera when possible to get as much of the landscape in the shot as possible.

7. Don’t Ignore the Moon

The Milky Way may be the star of the show (no pun intended), but the moon can be pretty beautiful, too. Because the moon is so bright, it can be easier to get great shots of it, even with a typical smartphone camera. Nights near the full moon are best for getting the clearest, brightest shots.

8. Put the Camera Away for a While

It can be exhilarating to try and get the perfect starry sky shot, but at some point in the evening make sure you remember to put the camera down for a few minutes and be present in the moment. Staring up at the sky is an incredible way to appreciate our place in the universe and connect with nature.

Professional Guide Services in Beautiful Lake Powell

Whether you’re coming to Lake Powell for the stargazing, the photography opportunities, outdoor adventure, relaxation, or any other reason, Lake Powell Guide Services can help you plan the perfect trip. We have a team of professional guides who are knowledgeable about the Lake Powell area and can help your family enjoy the Lake Powell area to the fullest without stress. We have dedicated photography excursions as well as guided fishing trips, camping trips, and more. Contact us today for more information or to book your trip.