Look for water level reports. The best Houseboating happens when the lake is above 3,600 feet elevation. Pack for the desert, but respect the wind. And most importantly: Leave the itinerary at home.
The "2018" crew was a mix of Arizona State students, Utah snowboarders, and a few brave souls from the East Coast who had never seen a slot canyon. We were the last generation to cross the spring break threshold without TikToks dictating our locations. We had a GoPro Hero 5 and terrible cell service. It was perfect. One of the defining features of Unscripted- Spring Break Lake Powell -2018- was the water level. Because the reservoir was high, we were able to squeeze Houseboat #3 (the decrepit one we called "The Rust Bucket") all the way into West Canyon . Unscripted- Spring Break Lake Powell -2018-
On Thursday night, we tied all three houseboats together in a raft. We had a generator running string lights across the bows. Someone produced a guitar that had miraculously survived the journey in a dry bag. The playlist was peak 2018: Sicko Mode , This Is America , Africa by Weezer (the cover, which caused a debate), and way too much Mr. Brightside . Look for water level reports
After 2018, Lake Powell began to drop again dramatically. By 2021, water levels would hit historic lows. Launch ramps closed. The houseboat rental industry choked. The hidden beach we camped on? It is now a dusty hill 100 feet above the water line. And most importantly: Leave the itinerary at home
