Going up the Colorado : heading north! After the desert landscapes of the Grand Canyon, it's a pleasure to find some water again! We guide you through the aquatic labyrinth formed by this artificial lake...
Watch the first part of our trip on video!
A lake? Really?
BetweenUtah and Arizona, known for their desert climates, one can be surprised to find water in large quantities... And yet!
The Glen Canyon Dam, built in the 1960s, allows the waters of the Colorado to be contained and turned into an artificial lake... Even if it took almost 20 years to fill up!
Beyond its practical aspect (both as a water reserve and as a supplier of hydraulic energy), the lake has many attractions for its visitors! Various water sports activities are offered, notably from the Wawheap Marina (canoeing, cruises, jet-skiing)...
Its very indented shape gives the place a very special character. You will appreciate the multitude of canyons which form a maze flooded in the hollows of the rocks, sometimes sheltering heavenly creeks...
How to get there?
From the east entrance to the Grand Canyon it is a two hour drive to Page, the nearest town to the lake. Located fifteen minutes from Wahweap Marina to the north andAntelope Canyon to the south, it is the ideal base camp if you want to wander around the area! Unless of course you prefer to sleep on the lake... We admit, that was our case!
WHAT WE LIKED
The contrast of colours between the pinkish beige rocks and the blue or green water, depending on the sun, will leave you dreaming... We loved to venture by boat into the labyrinth of rocks and to get lost in the meanders of this immense lake, to discover at the bend of a pontoon the unexpected start of a hike!
In the Wawheap Marina, fall under the spell of the houseboats, the typical floating houses of the place which give this lake a Western Venice look...
Not to be missed
- Glen Canyon horshoe: a few minutes from Page, after the dam, this site offers an exceptional view of the most sinuous and emblematic meander of the Colorado. Beware, it's a steep, sandy slope to get there!
- Rainbow Bridge: this incredible natural bridge (the rock has been carved out by the river to leave an arc of about 80 metres long) is a bit far from everything. But it's worth it! If you are a hiking fan, guides suggest you to reach it by foot... But it will take several days! Otherwise, you can take the boat option. From the Wahweap Marina, a company offers 6-hour cruises that will take you to the pontoon from where a one-hour hike starts (more info here). If the walk is not really accessible (very steep and sandy slope this time!), the boats can provide a ramp on request that will give you access to the pontoon... The cruise itself is already worth the trip, don't hesitate a second!
- Wahweap Marina at suns et: after a busy day, make yourself comfortable (alone on a beach or on one of the resort's terraces, the choice is yours!) and let yourself be seduced by the play of colours on the water and rocks at sunset... an unforgettable spectacle!
Where to eat, where to sleep?
Page is full of hotels of all kinds, you will surely find what you are looking for if you want to be "in town"! As for us, we definitely preferred the waterfront... And so we opted for a room in the Wahweap Marina!
The Lake Powell Resort is a very touristic complex, but it has a huge advantage : you will have everything at hand! Quiet rooms, many of which have a view of the marina, swimming pools, access to the boats and a very good restaurant... We loved it!
Some useful information in a wheelchair...
The Lake Powell region is magnificent and really deserves a visit. Unfortunately, as you will surely have understood from our descriptions, it is also a complicated region to tackle in a wheelchair: sandy slopes, numerous rocks, activities not always equipped...
Although it is almost certain that you will always find willing people to help you, do not hesitate to plan your activities with the local actors (cruise companies, kayak rental companies, etc.) to anticipate possible disappointments and to provide the necessary equipment and/or accompaniment to make the most of your stay.
Please note: when you contact the tourism professionals in the USA by phone, their first instinct is often to recommend that you do not do the activity if it is not "accessible" as such, as they will not be able to help you with insurance issues. The reality is very different, and when you get there you are likely to find people who are available and willing to help you if necessary (tested in particular for the boat cruise and the Grand Canyon helicopter flight). In addition to a good preparation beforehand, don't hesitate to ask about the activities you are interested in when you arrive, it's worth it!
Find all the accessibility information on our good addresses and visited sites on jaccede.com!
