Lake Powell fuel planning: range, stops & costs
Where to buy gas and diesel on the water, how far a tank really takes you, and how to work out fuel for a trip — so you never come up short mid-lake.
Updated
Wahweap and Antelope Point in the south sell gas and diesel at their fuel docks. On the north lake, the Bullfrog fuel dock — temporarily relocated to deeper water near Halls Crossing for 2026 — is the only fuel; Halls Crossing’s own dock is closed. There is no fuel in between: the old mid-lake stop at Dangling Rope is closed, so every long leg must start and end at a fuel dock. To size your fuel, divide trip distance by your boat’s miles-per-gallon and add about 30% for a safety margin, and always keep a third of the tank in reserve.
Facts checked July 2026.
Where can I buy fuel on Lake Powell?
Dangling Rope Marina is closed. The old mid-lake fuel and supply stop no longer sells gas, so the fuel docks below are the only fuel on the water. For 2026, Bullfrog’s dock operates from deeper water near Halls Crossing and Halls Crossing’s own dock is closed. Hours shrink in the off-season — call ahead before a shoulder-season trip.
| Fuel dock | Summer hours | Off-season | Sells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahweap Marina | 7 AM – 7 PM | 8 AM – 5 PM | Gas, diesel, oil, pump-out |
| Antelope Point | 7 AM – 6 PM | 8 AM – 4 PM | Gas, diesel, limited supplies |
| Bullfrog Marina | 7 AM – 7 PM | 8 AM – 5 PM | Gas, diesel, pump-out — dock relocated to deeper water near Halls Crossing for 2026 |
| Halls Crossing | — | — | Own fuel dock closed — use the relocated Bullfrog dock nearby |
Fuel-dock hours and status change with the season — the National Park Service posts current Glen Canyon conditions at nps.gov/glca.
How much fuel will my boat burn?
Burn rate depends on boat type and how hard you run it. These are typical cruising figures — open the throttle and consumption climbs steeply, so plan range off cruising numbers, not top speed:
| Boat type | Cruise speed | Fuel burn | Typical tank | Range per tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small runabout (16–20 ft) | 25 mph | 4 gal/hr | 20 gal | 100 mi |
| Ski / wake boat (20–24 ft) | 30 mph | 12 gal/hr | 40 gal | 60 mi |
| Cabin cruiser (24–30 ft) | 20 mph | 8 gal/hr | 60 gal | 120 mi |
| Houseboat (50+ ft) | 8 mph | 4 gal/hr | 100 gal | 200 mi |
| Performance boat (24–30 ft) | 45 mph | 25 gal/hr | 75 gal | 60 mi |
How do I calculate fuel for a Lake Powell trip?
Work from distance and your boat’s fuel economy, then add a margin:
- Total the distance for the whole trip, out and back — use the distances and travel-time guide to add up your legs.
- Divide by your miles-per-gallon. For a 100-mile trip at 2.5 mpg, that’s 40 gallons of fuel.
- Add about 30% for wind, current and detours: 40 gallons becomes roughly 52 gallons.
- Sanity-check against your tank. If the number tops your tank and there’s no marina on the route, shorten the trip or carry approved spare fuel.
On the water, run the one-third rule: one third of the tank out, one third back, one third held in reserve for weather delays or helping another boater.
What does fuel cost on Lake Powell?
On-water fuel runs 30–50% above land prices, so fuel up before you launch when you can. Recent dock prices:
| Regular gas | $5.50 – $6.50 / gal |
| Premium gas | $6.00 – $7.00 / gal |
| Diesel | $5.00 – $6.00 / gal |
A week-long trip can easily run $500 to $1,000 in fuel alone — budget for it up front. Prices swing with the season and the wider fuel market, so treat these as a planning estimate, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get gas on Lake Powell?
Wahweap and Antelope Point in the south sell gas and diesel at their fuel docks. On the north lake there is one fuel stop for 2026: the Bullfrog fuel dock, temporarily relocated to deeper water near Halls Crossing because of low lake levels (Halls Crossing’s own dock is closed). There is no fuel in between: the old mid-lake stop at Dangling Rope is closed. Top off before any long run.
Is Dangling Rope Marina still open for fuel?
No. Dangling Rope, the old mid-lake fuel and supply stop between Wahweap and the north lake, is closed. Plan long legs — especially the run to Rainbow Bridge — around the four marina fuel docks, and carry a reserve.
How do I calculate how much fuel I need?
Divide trip distance by your boat’s miles-per-gallon, then multiply by about 1.3 for a safety margin. A 100-mile trip at 2.5 mpg needs roughly 40 gallons of fuel, or about 52 gallons with the safety factor built in.
How much does fuel cost on Lake Powell?
On-water fuel runs well above land prices — roughly $5.50–$6.50 a gallon for regular gas, more for premium, and diesel in a similar range. A week-long trip can easily burn $500 to $1,000 in fuel, so budget for it and fuel up before you launch when you can.
What is the one-third rule for boat fuel?
Use one third of your fuel heading out, one third to get back, and keep the final third in reserve for wind delays, detours or helping another boater. It is the simplest way to make sure you always have enough to reach a marina.
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