Lake Powell Is Not Done: Real Boating Conditions at Bullfrog Marina in

If you have seen some of the recent headlines about Lake Powell, you might think boating is over for the year.

It is not.

Yes, Lake Powell is lower than we would all like. Yes, Utah and the Colorado River Basin continue to deal with drought conditions, and we all need to do our part to conserve water, slow the flow, and be smart with the resources we have.

But low water does not mean boating is over.

We recently headed to Lake Powell ourselves to show what the real-world boating situation looks like from Bullfrog Marina, not from a headline, not from a fear-based news thumbnail, and not from someone trying to get clicks. This is a real update from real boaters who are actually on the water.

And what we found was simple:

There is still plenty of water to play.

A Real Boater’s Update From Bullfrog Marina

At Taylor’s Boats, our mission has always been bringing friends and family together. For us, Lake Powell has been part of that mission for generations.

Taylor has been bringing his family to Lake Powell when school gets out for years. First it was his kids. Now it is his grandkids. That tradition is still alive and well.

We arrived at Lake Powell on Monday, June 1, and by Wednesday, June 3, we had already launched boats, spent time on the water, tubed, fished, visited Halls Crossing, and enjoyed the kind of family memories that make Lake Powell one of the most special boating destinations in the country.

This was not a “drive by and speculate” update.

We launched. We boated. We checked the ramps. We saw the marina changes. We talked with boaters. We spent real time on the water.

Can You Still Launch at Bullfrog Marina?

From our experience, yes.

During our trip, we launched both a 20-foot Malibu and a 24-foot Malibu with no problem. The ramp was in good shape, and there was still plenty of usable concrete.

The National Park Service has also been working on ramp access by adding heavy-duty steel boilerplate tracking at the end of the ramp. This helps extend usability as water levels change and gives boaters more access heading into the summer season.

From what we saw on the ground, the launch situation at Bullfrog was far better than what many people might assume from the headlines.

We also watched a 50-foot houseboat launch successfully down the ramp. That says a lot.

As always, boaters should check current ramp conditions before making the trip because Lake Powell water levels can change. But based on what we saw firsthand, boating at Bullfrog is absolutely still happening.

What About Bullfrog Marina?

Bullfrog is changing, but it is not gone.

Some of the marina has been moved toward Halls Crossing, and there are adjustments happening to keep services available as the water level changes. That might sound intimidating if you only hear part of the story, but when you are actually there, it is much less dramatic than the headlines make it seem.

There is still marina infrastructure at Bullfrog. There are still boats. There are still services. There are still boaters. And there is still a ton of water to enjoy.

The marina setup is different, and in some cases it feels more like an island setup with no simple walk-in land access from certain areas. But for many boaters, that does not change the experience much. You load the boat, launch the boat, head to the houseboat or your destination, and go enjoy the lake.

That is exactly what we did.

Halls Crossing Is Active and Improving

We also boated over to Halls Crossing and saw a lot of activity there.

There are boats, docks, marina services, and construction improvements happening. Crews are working on roads, parking, and access points to support the marina changes and make the experience better for visitors.

Instead of looking at the changes as a reason not to come, we see them as proof that people are actively working to keep Lake Powell usable, accessible, and enjoyable for boaters.

The lake is changing, but people are adapting.

And boating is still incredible.

The Lake Was Quiet — Almost Too Quiet

One of the biggest surprises from our trip was how few boats we saw.

We tubed from Bullfrog toward Halls Crossing for ice cream and only saw a couple of boats along the way. That is almost unheard of for Lake Powell.

For anyone avoiding the lake because of what they saw in the news, you are missing out on one of the best opportunities to enjoy Powell with less traffic, more open water, and plenty of room to make memories with your family.

The water is still there.

The canyons are still beautiful.

The boating is still fantastic.

The only thing missing is more people out making memories.

Fishing, Tubing, Houseboating, and Family Memories Are Still Happening

During our trip, the grandkids caught fish. We went tubing. We cruised between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. We spent time on the houseboat. We watched other boats launch. We saw new services and improvements being added.

In other words, it felt like Lake Powell.

Maybe a different version of Lake Powell. Maybe a lower-water version of Lake Powell. But still very much Lake Powell.

For real boaters, that matters.

Low water changes how you plan. It may change where certain docks sit, where ramps are used, or how marina access works. But it does not take away the magic of being on the water with your family.

New Services Are Helping Boaters at Bullfrog

One of the exciting things we saw on this trip was more support for boaters at the Bullfrog end of the lake.

Captain Tony Anderson with Ticaboo On Lake Service has partnered with Beach Bag Anchors to make anchoring support available at Bullfrog. For anyone who has ever spent a windy night worrying about houseboat anchors, this is a big deal.

Taylor said it best: one of the things that keeps him up at night at Lake Powell is anchors. A little breeze, a ripple of water, or a shift in the wind can make any houseboat owner start checking lines in the middle of the night.

After using the Beach Bag Anchors setup, the houseboat stayed secure, even with wind blowing. That kind of peace of mind makes a huge difference on a Lake Powell trip.

It is another reminder that good things are still happening at Bullfrog.

Yes, Utah Is in a Drought — But Boating Is Not Over

We want to be clear: drought is real.

Water conservation matters. We should all do our part to use water wisely, support conservation efforts, and hope for a wet summer and a big snowpack next winter.

But it is also important to understand that reservoirs were built to store and manage water through changing conditions. Lower water does not automatically mean the lake is unusable.

For 2026, Lake Powell is still a place where families can boat, fish, tube, houseboat, explore, and make memories.

The message is not “ignore the drought.”

The message is: “Plan ahead, check current conditions, and do not let scary headlines convince you that Lake Powell is done.”

Because it is not.

Should You Still Plan a Lake Powell Trip This Year?

Yes — just plan smart.

Before you go, check current lake levels, ramp status, marina updates, weather, and National Park Service information. Conditions can change, and every boater should prepare before launching.

But if you are wondering whether Lake Powell is still worth the trip, our answer is absolutely yes.

If you are planning a boating trip, fishing trip, houseboat vacation, or family getaway to the Bullfrog side of Lake Powell, do not write it off because of a headline.

Come see it for yourself.

There is plenty of water to play.

It is going to be a great summer at Bullfrog.

Let’s go boating.