I just got back from a long weekend around Lake Powell, and let’s just say: my shoulders dropped about three inches. Traveling with my sister, husband, and brother-in-law made it extra fun, but honestly? This trip would’ve been incredible no matter who came along. If this corner of the Southwest isn’t on your radar yet, consider this your nudge. Here are five reasons Lake Powell deserves a spot at the top of your list.
1. Sleep Somewhere Extraordinary
Under Canvas – Lake Powell
Glamping, but elevated. Under Canvas Lake Powell has 50 safari-style tents, each designed for comfort with king beds, private decks, wood-burning stoves, and ensuite bathrooms that make you forget you’re technically ‘camping.’ Our Stargazer tent took it up a notch with a star-viewing window over the bed. Falling asleep under the Milky Way? Unforgettable.
What I loved most, though, was the rhythm of the evenings. People naturally drift into the lounge tent or gather around communal fire pits, where stories are swapped and glasses of wine stretch long into the desert night. It’s social without being forced, quiet without feeling isolating – the kind of balance you don’t often find.
Amangiri
And then, of course, there’s Amangiri. If Under Canvas is refined glamping, this is full-throttle luxury. Less hotel, more modernist desert hideaway, the property offers 34 suites (many with private pools) plus a spa carved into the rocks and an infinity pool that could double as an Architectural Digest cover.
Set on 600 acres in Canyon Point, the retreat has become a bona fide celebrity hideaway, welcoming everyone from the Kardashians to the Biebers. I didn’t see Amangiri for myself, but if it’s good enough for Kim, it’s good enough for me.
2. Trade Screen Time for Canyon Time
Sometimes, the best trips are the ones where your phone ends up forgotten at the bottom of a bag. Lake Powell is that kind of place. Both Under Canvas and Amangiri sit inside the Grand Staircase National Monument, a 1.8 million-acre expanse of slot canyons, mesas, and towering rock layers that stretch from Bryce Canyon down to the Grand Canyon. The scale is hard to wrap your head around until you’re standing there, watching the light shift across rock that’s been forming for millions of years.
It’s the sort of landscape that makes you exhale. No buzzing notifications, no endless to-do list; just sky, sandstone, and silence.
3. Check Off Iconic Southwest Wonders
Lake Powell is surrounded by some of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes. Once you’ve had your fill of lake days (more on that below) and sandstone trails, the surrounding area offers even more remarkable landmarks within easy reach.
Antelope Canyon
Located on Navajo land in northern Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the world. At midday, light filters through the canyon, washing the sandstone walls in glowing bands of orange and gold. The effect feels otherworldly – impossible to capture until you see it yourself.
Horseshoe Bend
Just minutes from Page, Arizona, the Colorado River loops into a perfect U-shaped curve. From the rim, turquoise water slices through red rock that seems to stretch forever. You’ve probably seen the image before, but in person, it’s breathtaking.
Vermillion Cliffs
280,000 acres of wild, rugged beauty. Vermilion Cliffs is all mesas, hidden canyons, and sandstone swirls – remote, untouched, and slightly surreal. Paria Canyon and White Pocket are two standout areas, best explored with a guide or a high-clearance 4×4. Out here, it feels like the desert belongs entirely to you.
The Wave
Inside Vermilion Cliffs, The Wave is a sandstone masterpiece carved into swirling ribbons of rock. The catch? Only 64 people are allowed in per day, thanks to a strict lottery system. If you’re lucky enough to snag a permit, expect a six-mile hike to one of the most coveted views of the Southwest.
Bryce Canyon National Park
We didn’t make it there this time, but at just over two hours from Under Canvas, Bryce Canyon is an easy add-on. Sunrise over Bryce’s hoodoos (those spindly, flame-colored spires) is high on my bucket list, and should be on yours too.
4. Say Yes to Adventure
UTV Tour
If you’re up for a little grit with your getaway, sign on for a UTV ride. Under Canvas arranged a private UTV tour for us, and it was three hours of pure adrenaline. We climbed nearly 2,000 feet into red rock country, bouncing over rugged terrain with views that seemed to outdo themselves at every turn.
One minute we were winding through narrow passes; the next, standing at a summit with 360° views stretching across the Vermilion Cliffs. It’s dusty, bumpy, and exhilarating – and when you finally cut the engine, the silence is just as striking as the ride itself.
Boating on Lake Powell
If I had to pick one highlight from the trip, it was the lake itself. What makes Lake Powell so striking is the contrast: sapphire-blue water that weaves through fiery red and orange sandstone cliffs. These cliffs aren’t small either – many rise hundreds of feet above the lake, forming hidden slot canyons and dramatic rock formations.
Because Lake Powell winds through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, every turn feels like a new reveal. One minute you’re gliding through narrow passages where the walls feel close enough to touch; the next you’re staring up at soaring buttes and natural arches. It’s the kind of landscape that keeps you looking around every corner, convinced the next view might top the last.
We booked a private boat for four hours, which stretched to five because no one wanted to leave. Our driver doubled as a guide, pointing out hidden coves and sharing bits of history as we swam, cliff-jumped, wake-surfed, and floated under the sun. I’ve spent plenty of summer weekends on lakes in the Midwest and Northeast, but nothing compares to this. If you do just one thing here, make it time on the water.
5. Unlimited S’mores (Yes, Unlimited)
Every night at Under Canvas, the fire pits come alive with crackling flames and a spread of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. No rationing, no limits – just grab a stick and roast until your heart’s content. If this doesn’t convince you, we may not vacation the same way.
Until next time, Lake Powell.