Rainbow Bridge National MonumentRainbow Bridge is one of the world’s largest natural bridges. It’s shaped like a rainbow frozen in rock, and is considered sacred by American Indian tribes. It’s also a 14-mile hike over land to get there — unless you have a boat. Cruise to Forbidding Canyon and you’ll see a sign to the canyon entrance. Then follow another sign into a canyon offshoot, and soon you’ll arrive at the Rainbow Bridge Dock. From there, it’s about a mile’s walk down the path.Nearby Marinas: Rainbow Bridge is mid-lake, and is more or less equidistant from the marinas either up-lake or down-lake. Plan for a couple of hours to get there, whichever direction you come from.Wake Zone: Watch for the buoys, as there is a marked no-wake zone up inside the canyons.Pro Tips: There are floating restrooms at the dock, but no other amenities at the Monument.Lat/Long: 37.077339 x 110.96416
Wahweap BayBisected by the Arizona/Utah boarder, Wahweap Bay is popular for watersports and for having its share of quieter, calmer canyons, mostly along its north shore. Its strongest draw, however, is simply its location. Close to Page and with easy access to most of the lower lake launch points and marinas, it’s the closest portion of Powell to the bulk of the boats on the lake.Nearby Marinas: Wahweap Marina and Stateline Marina are both located on Wahweap Bay.Sea State: Though there are no wake zones around the marinas this can be a very busy area, and since waves tend to bounce off the canyon walls, gets very choppy at times. Expect rough waters, especially on weekends, until getting into one of the notch canyons.Pro Tip: Since it’s so close to civilization, naturally, Wahweap Bay is also among the most congested waterways of Lake Powell. If it’s seclusion you’re looking for, this probably isn’t the best destination and you’ll want to head up-lake.Lat/Long: 37.006156 x 111.478763
Gunsight BayNamed for the canyon with a big notch that looks like a gunsight, Gunsight Bay is a destination for its beaches. While much of the lake is surrounded by sheer walls, at the entrance of this canyon there’s nearly two miles of sandy beach. Nearby Marina: It depends on the water levels in the lake! Antalope Point is the closest when the water is low, but if levels are high enough for Castle Rock Cut (a shortcut between the waterways) to be navigable, the marinas on Wahweap Bay are about as close.Navigation: Be careful inside the canyon, as the “white whales” (underwater rocks) can become more or lass prevalent, and dangerous, as water levels rise and fall.Pro Tip: To enjoy the best views time your trip to be here in late afternoon, when the canyon walls are vibrant with deep orange sunlight.Lat/Long: 37.056691 x 111.342821