Recapture
Reservoir,
just north of Blanding is picturesque and popular
for boating and fishing.
Lake
Powell
Part
of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area,
Lake Powell has two-thousand miles of serpentine
shoreline and hundreds of intriguing red rock canyons
and inlets waiting to be explored. The combination
of water and sandstone cliffs streaked with mineral
deposits called "desert varnish" is a
visual experience unmatched in the world.
Six
major marinas make Lake Powell a year-round
boating destination.
The
Lake Powell Ferry, with regular service between
Bullfrog and Halls Crossing Marinas,
affords the opportunity to experience the lake as
well as a scenic drive.
Houseboats,
speed boats and other personal watercraft can be
rented at Lake Powell. Despite its rugged setting,
Lake Powell has gracious dining, gift shops, and
upscale lodging.
River
Recreation
Commercial
outfitters offer one to six day trips in Westwater
Canyon on the Colorado River northwest
of Moab. To the south, below the confluence of the
Green and Colorado Rivers in Canyonlands National
Park, the wild rapids of the Colorado's Cataract
Canyon lie waiting to challenge even the most
experienced whitewater rafters and kayakers.
The
Colorado eventually empties into Lake Powell,
behind Glen Canyon Dam. Guided whitewater
trips are also offered on the Colorado River below
the dam through Grand Canyon to Lake Mead.
The
launch point for trips on the San Juan River
is the town of Bluff. The San Juan is southeastern
Utah's "best behaved" river. It's known
for rock art panels and other remnants of ancient
Pueblo Cultures, such as the Anasazi. The San Juan
has rapids, but none with much potential for danger.
Many San Juan River trips end at Mexican Hat, named
from a sombrero shaped balanced rock near town.
Other rafters continue through the "Goosenecks
of the San Juan", a series of entrenched
river bends. Approximately fifty river miles later,
the San Juan joins the waters of the Colorado in
Lake Powell.
Permits
are required for private trips on the Colorado
and San Juan Rivers. Contact the BLM
for more information on permits for Westwater Canyon
and the San Juan. The National Park Service issues
Cataract Canyon permits.
Please
note that Utah/Coast Guard regulations apply to
all powerboats used on public waters. The use of
motors is not allowed in some areas except in emergencies.
State law requires minors, 12-17 years old, to complete
a personal watercraft education class before using
any PWC. Call 801-538-2628 or 800-743-3792 for details.
For more information on laws and rules relating
to boating on Utah waters, contact the Division
of State Parks at 801-538-7220
Click
on one of the vicinities below to view
water sport information for that area.
