Has anyone launched a small boat at Lake Powell

Whazoo ... what is considered the monsoon season on the lake? I would really like to explore some of the closer slot canyons not cover the whole lake. Any suggestion as to when the best weather would be and a place to camp the TC and be within a short distance of some of the nicer canyons.... you guys are a host of information.....Dave

Sorry for disappointing news but there’s nowhere on Lake Powell I’d take anything less than 21 foot deep V unless like Cal mentioned you do Blue Notch at the north end.This winter the water was almost back up to the launch ramp at Hite. We stopped going years ago because of all the huge boats and water maggots, wave runners I mean. It would take us most of the day to find a place to camp up Lake because there were two thousand houseboats out stringing all their wave runners along every stretch of sand beach to keep everyone away from their one boat. If you had a houseboat I’d certainly take a kayak or inflatable. We use to go when there were no fees at Lone Rock and when we drove our own 4 wheel jeep to Antelope Canyon, stayed all day and explored every other Canyon around. I do understand the draw if you’ve never been though. Terrible wind and absolutely huge waves come up during monsoon season, plan accordingly!

From top of my head Lake Powell has about 1500 miles shoreline, so can't really generalize the conditions.
At Lone Rocks, I have seen lot of kayaks. Sure they did not go to open water, but had their fun.
Lake Powell is getting crowded. Years ago I could book Antelope Canyon midday tour on following day. Last year in August the tours were booked for weeks in advance.
Being there I met Utah guy, who comes to the lake every summers for 2 weeks. He started as teenager with his parents, now he brings his kids there.
Sure one of the greatest value for camping.
If you have ATV - take it there as well.
I also have to prize the Host me met at Lone Rock. Retired cop was doing really good job keeping the order and quiet hours and beach campers are not easy to control.

Well that does not sound very encouraging....hehehe

Beautiful lake, stunning.
Not the place for a porta bote unless you stay near accessible shoreline and near your put in point. You’re not going to be able to tour the lake with 6hp. It’s an excercise in futility and very dangerous.
Have been out there when houseboats foundered and in waves that were no joke for 20-24’ v drives. Sometimes it’s wind, sometimes it’s large boat wakes, sometimes it’s both.
I wouldn’t even consider a row boat, not at all.
It’s like asking how well a row boat would fare crossing Lake Michigan.

If you're adventurous and don't like crowds -- Blue Notch.

Thanks for the comeback guys.... thinking of strapping a Porta boat to the side of the camper and taking it out to Powell from NY. Looking at the 12 or 14 footer and a 6hp OB these are like a calapsible rowboat. I see most are in agreement that this is an morning excurion because of winds comeup in the afternoon.

I have been around Lake Powell a lot but had only one boat trip. We rented a houseboat, but towed a Master Craft ski boat. I can tell you that afternoon winds can be fierce. They are especially strong in the narrow canyons where there is a venturi effect. One afternoon we barely got home in the ski boat which was 19 feet. They have flat bottoms and are not made for rough condidtions. Several times we thought about spending the night in a side canyon. After we got back to the houseboat we monitored the marine radio and learned that two boats had swamped and one of them was a ski boat.

If you are going to paddle L Powell, plan on early starts and get off the water by noon or 1400. Get some rough water experience and it is best to dress for immersion. wear a PFD.

Had a boat there years ago, but was without the boat last summer.
The main campground on AZ side was full, but the Lone Rock beach campground in UT has no limits. $7/night with our multiagency pass.
BTW years ago, having cabin cruiser we went all 400 km up the lake to spot where Colorado River enter. Trip of our life. With the size of the lake and winds, I don't think inflatable will be usable. Try to see Horseshoe Bend, Rainbow Bridge and Antelope Canyon (at noon)

It has been a while (2012), but we stayed at Wahweap Campground and launched 4 kayaks from shore at Lone Rock, a few miles north of the campground. There are so many neat slot canyons to paddle into and little rock islands, depending on water levels.
If you are going without a motor, get an early!! start as the afternoon winds can make it difficult to get back across the lake.
We also rented a 20 ft powerboat and tube, boy was that astronomically expensive for 4 hours (over $600 after they refilled the gas at absurd per gallon prices)! But hey, boys had a great time.