LAKE POWELL — There are a lot of things that can be said about Lake Powell. For one, it's big — really big. Upon completion in 1963, the Glen Canyon Dam began filling a labyrinth of red rock in Utah and Arizona’s deserts, creating almost 2,000 miles of shoreline, divided amongst 96 major side canyons.

That’s a whole lot of southwestern Utah beauty to explore, and in many cases, the small size and shallow draft of a kayak is the best way to explore Lake Powell’s most narrow and stunning canyons.

But with all those side canyons and miles upon miles of shoreline, where should you start?

Antelope Canyon has gained worldwide recognition as one of the world’s most stunning slot canyons and one of the Southwest’s natural treasures, but due to the canyon’s sacred meaning to the Navajo Nation, the slot canyon portion is only open to those who have acquired a permit through the Navajo Nation and are accompanied by a certified guide.

However, as Antelope Canyon widens, it enters Lake Powell, allowing access to some of the canyon’s less-visited beauty without needing a permit.

How to get there

Start at the Antelope Point Marina located northeast of Page, Arizona. After launching at the boat ramp, take a left, following the shoreline until you come to Antelope Canyon (the first canyon on the left, on the south side of the reservoir).

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In Utah, we are fortunate to have many places to kayak and canoe where we can enjoy the beauty of the water and scenery.

Difficulty

From the Antelope Point Marina to the water line at the end of the canyon and then back to the marina is less than 6 miles, but the distance will vary somewhat depending on the current water level.

On a still day of paddling, those 6 miles can seem to melt away. The whole stretch can be paddled in 1.5 to 3 hours, even for less experienced kayakers. But remember, there is no need to hurry. Slow down and enjoy the gorgeous scenery and the experience.

Safety

There are a number of safety considerations you should be mindful of before heading out. The first is weather. Whether it is picture perfect or stormy, windy or hot and sunny, make sure that you check the forecast and plan accordingly — including postponing your activity if conditions are not appropriate for spending a day on the lake. Remember that narrow canyons are not a good place to be if flash floods are likely.

Bring adequate sun protection as well as life preservers for everyone in your group, as well as plenty of drinking water and high-energy snacks.

If you’re new to kayaking, then make sure to take some time practicing paddling and self-rescuing, should you experience a planned or unplanned dip in the lake.

Also, plan on sharing the canyon with large tour boats and other boaters. Though boaters should exercise caution in Lake Powell’s canyons, some fail to do so. Stay close to the canyon walls in order to help keep yourself out of harms way if a boat operator fails to adhere to basic safety practices. For more safety tips for kayaking at Lake Powell, click here.

Preserve the beauty

Lake Powell’s history and beauty have great wisdom to impart to those of us who visit its emerald waters and red rock canyons. The Glen Canyon Dam and subsequently the undeniably beautiful Lake Powell have been accompanied by controversy from day one. And since the recreation area was opened, there have been ecological concerns, growing problems with vandalism, trash, invasive species and even sewage.

Today some of the most beautiful and iconic areas of the American Southwest have been inundated by astounding amounts of graffiti and vandalism. Scratches and markings cover natural landmarks, where only 60 years ago, there had been nothing but wild natural beauty and a mere handful of historical markings.

While much of the Glen Canyon area thankfully remains relatively free of some of these pollutants, we are reminded that the marks we leave behind and the choices we make will either preserve or tarnish these places and the experiences available to current and coming generations.

So whether visiting Lake Powell or another of our treasured outdoor locations in Utah, consider volunteering some time to help pick up trash. And always remember to tread lightly, adhere to park, forest, or wilderness regulations and to make sure to leave no trace of your visit.

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