Expectations
No Camp Fires - Currently there are no camp fires allowed in the Glen Caynon NRA! :-(
No Moonlight until well after Midnight!
The Sun and Moon
Sunrise/Sunset: 6:00 - 18:30
Moon will not rise until after midnight the entire trip. It's going to be VERY DARK at night!
Weather and Clothing Recommendations:
Temperatures
Highs: Mid‑ to upper 80s °F (25–30 °C), usually around 85–88°F
Lows: Often between 57–62°F (14–17 °C), so nights are comfortably mild
Rain & Humidity
Rain is rare: only ~8% daily chance, with total precipitation around 0.3–0.7 inches for the month
Relative humidity sits low, around 29–35%—dry desert air
Wind & Skies
Average wind speeds near 6–10 mph (10–16 kph) with occasional breezes on the lake
September is usually the clearest month, with about 80–82% clear skies, so expect plenty of sunshine
Day clothes: Lightweight and breathable—T‑shirts, shorts, sun hat, sunglasses.
Evenings: Bring a light jacket or sweatshirt—temps can dip into the upper 50s.
Rain gear: Probably not needed, but a small umbrella or rain shell won’t hurt—monsoon season can bring random showers or isolated thunderstorms.
Sun protection: High elevation + clear skies = strong UV. Sunscreen is a must.
Technology & Power
The boat will have an inverter connected to its well-worn lead-acid batteries, giving us 110V outlets. A generator will recharge those batteries (or supply power directly). I’m also bringing my 100Ah/2000W battery-inverter unit — and yes, I refuse to call it a “solar generator” — along with a 200W solar panel, just in case.
Internet Access
We know your urgent need for internet is really just to feed your Hallmark movie habit, and we’ve got you covered. I’m bringing my Gen2 Starlink, so we’ll have solid internet at the houseboat. Cell service is pretty bad, but Starlink with Wi-Fi calling should take care of that.
Communications
I’m also bringing some GMRS/HAM radios. They’ll be useful for certain things, though the canyon walls will limit range unless we can hit a repeater. Still, they’ll come in handy for quick check-ins during side adventures.
iPhone Location Sharing
For the iPhone crowd, we could share locations on Find My for the trip. It’s a handy way to keep track of people as they travel.
Local Attractions and Activities: List of activities around Lake Powell, such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
Labyrinth Canyon - Day 2
Antelope Creek and Slot Canyon
Rainbow Bridge Hike Day 3
Lone Rock Side Canyons?
The Sandhill
Hole in the Roof
Padre Bay
Double Arch (aka “Toilet Bowl”)
Rope Swing at Rock Creek Bay
Water Levels: https://lakepowell.water-data.com/ It is at 31% currently. That is Low ... on the positive side there will be plenty of beach! But to put some things into perspective. The current lake surface is about 3,550'. The original Colorado River was about 3,200... so we have about 350' of water to work with!
Boating Safety and Operation (added 9/5/205)
It's essential that we all have an understanding of how to safely operate all boats and that as a group we stay attentive at all times to ensure a fun and safe experience. The links below will take you to sites and videos with key safety information. If you have any additional resources let us know and we will link below
75’ Excursion Houseboat Operating Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7d4PBcqpB8
Houseboating Safety: https://www.lakepowell.com/houseboating/houseboating-safety-guide
Boating Safety on Lake Powell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1t0v8-_hw0&t=323s
Carls Marine is who we are renting the powerboat and PWCs from. Here is a link to their Safety & Training page: https://carlsmarine.com/safety