As summertime in Arizona is all about local love with serious staycation time, one of the state’s most beautiful sites offers on-the-water adventuring (and utter peace and quiet if you seek it) just a few hours away. Lake Powell, which straddles the Arizona-Utah border and is found within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, offers nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline. You’ve seen the iconic images: the glistening sapphire water, the red sandstone cliffs and the amenity-packed luxury houseboats. But even though the reservoir is worth the five-hour drive from Phoenix just to snap a few photos, adventure (or lack thereof) is around every canyon-filled corner.

Home Base

Whether you’re looking to rough it a bit or prefer your accommodations to have a comfy king-size bed and flat-screen TV’s, Lake Powell offers a wide variety of ways to stay while you play. Lake Powell Resort is home to 348 waterfront rooms and deluxe suites, many with beautiful marina and lake views and all the desired amenities. In addition to pools and a fitness center, the resort is where you’ll find the recently renovated Rainbow Room. Diners dig into the likes of blue corn-crusted salmon and green chile pork tacos while enjoying panoramas of the lake, Wahweap Bay and Castle Rock. You might even find that the prickly pear negroni matches the hot pick sunset in the distance.

For a bigger dose of the great outdoors, the Wahweap RV and Campground, only a short walk from the lake, offers all the wants and needs for those camping (like shower facilities and hookup sites). There are even three new trendy Airstream campers available for rent for a glamping getaway.

As one of the country’s top houseboating destinations, making your home away from home directly on the lake is a popular option. A large range of houseboats, from economy to luxury, are available for rent in four- to seven-day increments. This option is ideal for larger groups; the newest fleet, the Wanderers, have enough space for up to 12 guests. The custom-designed houseboats offer four queen-size staterooms, a screened upper-deck driving helm, a wet bar, a barbecue and an enclosed spiral tube slide for some major warm-weather amusement.