There are no restrictions on where you can camp at Lake Powell.   Keep in mind, however, that if you camp within one-quarter mile from the shoreline, you must have a portable toilet system in place to collect human waste.  The water level at Lake Powell fluctulates each year from 20 to 50 feet.  This means that from season to season a campsite that you may have stayed at one year may be covered with water the next year.

There many Lake Powell canyons that provide great beaches when the water level is lower– higher water level means more boulders and less beach!  Here are a few of my favorite canyons to camp in:

Cookie Jar

Cookie Jar is located North of Padre Bay just East of Gun Sight Canyon. In and around the Cookie Jar Butte area there are many places to park your boat or houseboat and set up camp.  During the hot summer months there is plenty of shade early in the morning if you can find  camp site up against some of the mountains in the area.

 

 

 

 

This is a view from the base of Cookie Jar Butte looking North into the canyon. When the water level is lower, there are many great camping sites here at Lake Powell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gun Sight Butte Canyon

Gun Sight canyon is very popular with the houseboats at Lake Powell.  Many trips have I seen twenty-plus houseboats lining the shores of the canyon on all sides of the majestic tall canon walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face Canyon

Face Canyon is one of my favorite canyons to explore. I’ve only had the opportunity to camp in this canyon once, and it was probably one of the best times I’ve had up at Lake Powell (I’ve been going to Powell every year for the last 17 years!).