Lake Powell packing list: boat trip essentials
Everything to bring for a day boat or houseboat trip on Lake Powell — safety gear, sun protection, water and food, clothing and camping kit, organized so nothing gets left behind.
Updated
Pack for a Lake Powell trip in six groups: navigation and safety gear (life jackets, VHF radio, first-aid kit, flares), sun protection, water and food, clothing with warm evening layers, camping and comfort kit, and recreation gear. The single most important number is water — at least one gallon per person per day, plus extra. Use the checklists below and do a final departure check before you leave the dock.
Facts checked July 2026.
Navigation & safety
- GPS with Lake Powell maps
- Paper charts as a backup
- Life jackets for everyone aboard
- Throwable flotation device
- Fire extinguisher
- First-aid kit
- Emergency flares
- VHF radio
- Anchor with adequate rode
- Dock lines
- Fenders
Sun protection
- Sunscreen, SPF 50+
- Lip balm with SPF
- Wide-brim hats
- UV-protection clothing
- Polarized sunglasses
- Beach umbrella or shade structure
- Aloe vera gel
Water & food
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Electrolyte drinks
- Non-perishable food
- Cooler with ice
- Camping stove
- Cooking utensils
- Trash bags
- Water-purification tablets as a backup
Clothing
- Swimsuits
- Quick-dry clothing
- Warm layers for the evening
- Rain jacket
- Water shoes
- Hiking boots
- Extra changes of clothes
Camping & comfort
- Tent, or bedding for sleeping aboard
- Sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Camping chairs
- Portable toilet, if needed
- Biodegradable soap
- Towels
- Headlamps and flashlights
- Spare batteries
Entertainment & recreation
- Water toys (tubes, boards)
- Fishing gear
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayaks or paddleboards
- Camera with a waterproof case
- Binoculars
- Books or e-readers
- Playing cards
- Bluetooth speaker
Packing tips for the water
- Pack in waterproof containers or dry bags to protect gear from water damage.
- Bring extra batteries for electronics — charging options are limited on the water.
- Label coolers and storage bins so you can find things fast.
- Check expiration dates on safety gear and first-aid supplies before you go.
- Make a departure checklist so nothing gets left on the dock.
For the gear the law actually requires aboard, work through the Lake Powell safety equipment checklist before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to pack for Lake Powell?
Cover six areas: navigation and safety gear (life jackets, VHF radio, first-aid kit, flares), sun protection, water and food, quick-dry clothing with warm evening layers, camping and comfort kit, and recreation gear. The checklists below break each one down item by item.
How much water should you bring to Lake Powell?
Plan at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day, plus extra for a delay. It is a hot desert lake with little shade, so err high — running short on water is one of the most common mistakes on the water.
What safety equipment is required on a Lake Powell boat?
You need a properly fitted life jacket for every person aboard, a throwable flotation device, a fire extinguisher and visual distress signals such as flares, plus a VHF radio to call for help. See the safety equipment checklist for the full legal requirements.
What do people most often forget for Lake Powell?
Common misses are extra drinking water, warm layers for cool evenings, spare batteries, a shade structure and enough sunscreen. Packing from a written checklist and doing a final departure check is the simplest way to avoid them.
Do you need paper maps if you have a GPS?
Yes — carry paper charts as a backup. Electronics fail and batteries die, and there is no cell coverage across most of the lake, so a paper chart and compass are worth the space.
Navigate Lake Powell like a local
The offline map, marina weather & trip planning that boaters actually use — free to try.