Check out the video above for our CGA – California Gay Adventures trip to Lake Powell in 2022 & see why we are going back!
When we talk about bucket-list travel, our minds often jump straight to international adventures — Europe, Asia, far-flung islands, once-in-a-lifetime flights across oceans. And yes, we love those trips.
But every once in a while, the universe reminds us that some of the most jaw-dropping, soul-resetting, world-class experiences are hiding right in our own backyard.
One of those places?
Lake Powell.
Lake Powell isn’t just beautiful.
It’s a full-on vibe — and one that every LGBTQ+ traveler should experience at least once.
What Makes Lake Powell So Special?
Lake Powell sits on the border of Arizona and Utah, winding through towering red-rock canyons that feel more like Mars than the United States. The scale is massive. The silence is grounding. The water is warm, calm, and impossibly blue.
It’s the kind of place where:
- Time slows down
- Phones get forgotten
- Conversations go deeper
- And connection happens naturally
Whether you’re floating quietly in a hidden cove or watching the canyon walls light up at sunset, Lake Powell has a way of making you feel small — in the best possible way.
Why Lake Powell Hits Different for LGBTQ+ Travelers
There’s something uniquely freeing about Lake Powell. It’s remote, expansive, and removed from the noise of everyday life — which makes it perfect for LGBTQ+ travelers looking for space to fully be themselves.
Out on the water, there are no crowds, no expectations, no performative energy. Just chosen family, open skies, and the kind of shared experience that bonds people fast.
It’s relaxed. It’s playful. It’s grounding.
And it’s surprisingly emotional in all the right ways.
The Houseboat Life: Floating Basecamp Energy
One of the best ways to experience Lake Powell is by houseboat — turning the lake into your own floating basecamp.
Houseboat life means:
- Waking up surrounded by canyon walls
- Swimming straight off the deck
- Kayaking into narrow slot canyons
- Lounging, floating, and soaking up the sun
- BBQing as the sun dips behind the rocks
- Watching movies or stars at night
You don’t rush from place to place.
You live there — and that’s the magic.
Adventure Without Pressure
Lake Powell is as adventurous — or as chill — as you want it to be.
Some days look like:
- Paddleboarding and kayaking
- Swimming and floating for hours
- Exploring hidden beaches and coves
Other days bring:
- Waterskiing and boating
- Cliffside exploring
- Big group laughs and playful chaos
And sometimes the best plan is no plan at all.
A Bucket-List Experience — Right Here in the USA
We’re huge fans of international travel. It changes you. Expands you. Stretches your worldview.
But Lake Powell is proof that you don’t always need a passport to have a world-class experience.
This is one of those places that:
- Rivals destinations across the globe
- Feels completely unlike anywhere else in the U.S.
- Delivers adventure, beauty, and connection in equal measure
It’s a reminder to look closer to home — because sometimes the best experiences are already waiting for us.
A Look Back: Our 2022 Lake Powell Adventure 🎥📸
We were lucky enough to experience Lake Powell with our community in 2022, and the memories still live rent-free in our heads.
🎥 Video from our 2022 trip
📸 Photo album highlights
(If you ever want proof that Lake Powell is pure magic — that footage does the job.)
Coming Back, Together 🌈
While this guide is about Lake Powell as a destination — not a specific itinerary — we are planning a private LGBTQ+ group experience in partnership with California Gay Adventures (CGA) in September 2026.
If that sounds like something you’d want to explore with community, you can find full details when they’re released at JoinCGA.com.
Final Thought
Lake Powell isn’t just a place you visit.
It’s a place you feel.
If you’re building your travel bucket list — especially as an LGBTQ+ traveler — this one deserves a permanent spot near the top.
Sometimes the most unforgettable journeys don’t require crossing borders…
Just showing up, unplugging, and floating into something special.
