I was not much of a theme park fan when I was younger, I went to a few smaller ones but I had never been to the big daddy, Alton Towers, until recently. Then, due to various circumstances I have been to Alton Towers three times in the last year!
The First Trip
I’m not going to lie, the first time we went as a family in June 2021 it was a bit of a disaster. We turned up without a plan, it was a hot, busy day and we ended up leaving early after going on just a couple of rides. An expensive way to spend a rubbish day out.
Ollie is a big fan of CBeebies Land
We vowed we wouldn’t go back until the kids were older, able to queue more patiently and tall enough to go on more rides.
Finally Cracked It
Since then I have managed to get cheap tickets through my work that were just too good an opportunity to miss, so we’ve been a couple of times in the last few months and I think we’ve finally cracked it!
The last trip to Alton Towers in particular was a great day out, we were helped by the fact that it was quieter than usual, but also for the first time I made a plan and it actually worked!
Top Tips
So this brings me on to my top tips to make the most of your trip to Alton Towers. These hacks come from hard earned experience, and will definitely be how we tackle any future trips.
Have a plan! Alton Towers is HUGE, so you won’t get to everything in one day, particularly if you have kids, so decide which rides you really want to do and work from there. Make a note of where they are and any height restrictions etc so you know what you’re doing.
Go against the flow. Most people start from the entrance and make their way down the park. On our latest trip we did the opposite, we headed to the farthest part of Alton Towers first and managed to get on 2 big rides (Thirteen and Rita) with just a few minutes queuing at each
Do CBeebies Land later in the day. Following on from my last point: CBeebies Land is the first place you come to when entering Alton Towers, so many people head straight there. It tends to be a little quieter later on in the day when everyone has moved on.
Get your timings right. If you’ve identified your must-do rides, the quietest times tend to be first thing in the morning and the last hour, so you can plan accordingly
Download the app. The Alton Towers app is great for planning a visit, buying extras (like parking or fastrack) and keeping an eye on the queue times.
Conserve your energy. If you have small children, the Sky Ride is a great way to move around the park with ease, it’s also a very scenic ride that the whole family can enjoy. Likewise, the monorail to and from the car park makes life easier-particularly at the end of a tiring day.
Get some wheels. Even if you don’t usually need a buggy, it can be a good idea to bring one (or hire one at the park) as Alton Towers is very big and a day there involves a lot of walking. On our latest trip we took along our festival wagon, which proved to be a hit, both for transporting tired children and carrying all of our stuff.
The Sky Ride is a great way to see Alton Towers
Must dos with kids
Obviously if you have young children, CBeebies Land is a must do at Alton Towers. There are lots of rides there and plenty for the whole family to enjoy together. The new Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, was a hit on our last trip. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to run around and the adults can take a well earned break.
Other attractions that are suitable for young children, and tested and loved by Finn and Ollie, include The Blade (a pirate ship next to Nemesis), Heave Ho (another pirate ship type ride) and The Runaway Mine Train. These all have height restrictions of 0.9m, you can see the full list here.
Ollie loved spotting the sharks at Sharkbait Reef
Sharkbait Reef by SEALIFE is also perfect for young children and is a nice calm place to wander round if you need a bit of quiet time.
Have you been to Alton Towers? Do you have any tips to make your trip more successful?
If you’re looking for accommodation near Alton Towers, check out these campsites:
A few years back, my partner Ryan and I rented kayaks, hired a boat taxi to drop us off, and camped on a secluded beach near the entrance of Labyrinth Cayon, a gorgeous slot canyon in a remote area of Lake Powell.
In this blog post, I share a step-by-step guide on planning an overnight kayak trip to Lake Powell’s Labyrinth Canyon. From what gear to bring to where to camp, this post will cover everything you need to know for a successful and enjoyable trip. So whether you’re a seasoned paddler or totally new to the sport, read on for all the info you need for an unforgettable adventure in one of Arizona’s most beautiful places.
Start planning your Lake Powell kayak trip with this complete guide!
Why Kayak Lake Powell?
Lake Powell is a super scenic 200-mile long reservoir on the Utah/Arizona border filled with remote canyons and many secluded beaches.
The lake is commonly enjoyed by houseboat or motorboat, but these can be expensive to rent and they don’t allow you to get into the quieter and more remote areas of the reservoir like Labyrinth Canyon. This is why we recommend kayaking Lake Powell if you really want to explore all this area has to offer. You’ll also get a little exercise, to boot!
The prime (and free) beach camping, mysterious canyons, and quiet paddling made my Labyrinth Canyon kayaking trip on Lake Powell one of my favorite southwest adventures to date.
Lake Powell Map
Lake Powell is located on the Utah / Arizona border in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The area covers 254 square miles and has dozens of tributaries, canyons, and waterways to explore.
There are several Visitor Centers and launching points on Lake Powell, but if you plan on kayaking Labyrinth Canyon, I recommend starting in Page, Arizona. The closest international airports to Page are Las Vegas and Phoenix, both 280 miles away.
Lake Powell covers over 250 square miles within the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area
How to Plan an Overnight Labyrinth Canyon Kayak Trip
1. Choose your starting point
There are several marinas and launching points located around Lake Powell. We started our trip out of Page, Arizona where there are two large marinas, a couple of kayak rental companies, and other services that made it a convenient launching point.
The two biggest marinas near Page are Wahweap (where we launched from) and Antelope Point. We chose to launch at Wahweap because it was the most convenient for us and we could hire a water taxi to get us to Labyrinth Canyon to start our trip (more on water shuttles below).
If you are coming from Salt Lake City, you might also consider accessing the lake from the Utah side at Bullfrog or Hite Marinas. However, services at these marinas are more limited and it’s a much longer boat ride down to Labyrinth Canyon.
No matter where you enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, you must pay the $30 entrance fee per car, which grants you 7-day admission and overnight parking. However, if you have an annual National Park Pass, the fee is waived.
2. Reserve a Lake Powell Kayak Rental
If you don’t have your own kayak, you’re in luck! There are several places to rent kayaks in Page, Arizona. We rented two single touring kayaks from Kayak Lake Powell and the price was very reasonable. Each kayak had plenty of room to store gear, including tents, sleeping bags, clothes, water, and food.
Kayak Lake Powell also offers sit-on-top kayaks, but I don’t recommend these for an overnight kayaking trip since they aren’t as efficient to paddle and they don’t have storage compartments for gear.
Kayak rentals include a life jacket, a paddle, and free delivery to the Antelope Point Marina if you choose to start from there. Reservations can be made online or by calling their shop.
Kayak Lake Powell also offers guided kayaking trips to Labyrinth Canyon if you prefer a package trip. During our trip, we ran into one other group who was on a guided tour and they seemed to be having a great time.
Opt for touring kayaks since they are more efficient in the water and will keep your gear dry
3. Book a Water Shuttle to Labyrinth Canyon
In order to get to Labyrinth Canyon for a quick overnighter, you must be transported to the mouth of the canyon by a motorboat. On our trip, we hired a local fisherman to shuttle us out there. Unfortunately when it came time to pick us up for our return, he ended up being pretty unreliable. So this is not the method of transportation I’d recommend.
Instead, there are two licensed water shuttles to Labyrinth Canyon: Aramark Executive Services out of Wahweap Marina (928-645-1037) and Antelope Point Marina (928-645-5900). The best way to line up your shuttle is to give one of these a call.
The ride from Wahweap to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon, which is what we did, is just under 20 miles and takes about an hour. The ride from Antelope Point Marina to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon is about 12 miles and 30-45 minutes.
Expect to pay around $150-$200 per hour for a water taxi. Yes, it’s pricey, but if you have a large group, it could be worth it! It’s also the only feasible way to get to Labyrinth, unless you have your own boat or are renting a houseboat.
For the strongest paddlers, it may be possible to kayak to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon from Antelope Point, but I don’t really recommend doing this because the water can be very choppy/windy and there can be a lot of boat traffic along the way. You’ll also need more than one night for your trip if you paddle there and back. It’s much safer to hire a motorboat to shuttle you and your gear.
I’ve included several alternative overnight kayaking routes below if you don’t want to book a water shuttle to Labyrinth Canyon.
4. Choose your Camping Spot
Once you are out on Lake Powell, you are allowed to camp anywhere along the shoreline. Most of the camping is primitive in undeveloped sites, meaning there are no services of any kind and camping is free. You also don’t need a permit or reservation.
You are, however, required to carry out all of your waste, including poop and toilet paper. You can do this with a National Park-approved Waste Bag Containment System – otherwise known as a wag bag which you carry out and later throw in the trash.
You’re also allowed to have a campfire, but you must bring your own wood. Just dig a pit in the sand below the high water line, and make sure your fire doesn’t get bigger than 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide. Read more about primitive camping rules and regulations at Lake Powell here.
We camped on the beach at the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon. It was stunning and we had the place to ourselves!
The beach at the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon is the perfect place to camp
My Labyrinth Canyon Overnight Kayak Trip Report
After getting shuttled to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon, we had an awesome night sitting on the beach by the campfire and woke up early-ish the next day so we’d have plenty of time to explore Labyrinth Canyon.
In the morning, we loaded up the kayaks with lunch, water, and gear, and set off. Finding the entrance to Labyrinth Canyon was pretty easy. If you just hug the south side of the lake, you’ll spill right into it.
As we made our way towards the back of the canyon, the canyon walls closed in and got very tight and It wasn’t long before the canyon was too narrow for most boats. We didn’t encounter any other paddlers until we reached the very end of the canyon where a few other kayakers had pulled their kayaks onto a beach and were off exploring.
At the back of the canyon, we beached our kayaks, threw on some hiking shoes, and started hiking back into the narrows. The walls in some places were more than 200 feet tall and less than 2 feet wide. Eventually, we hit some pools of water. We probed a little deeper, but the water was freezing and some other folks told us that it got quite deep. Not being ready for a canyon swim, we turned around and headed back to our kayaks.
It took us about 6 hours in all to get to the back of the canyon, hike, and return to our campsite at a very leisurely pace with a few stops along the way.
Best Time to Visit Lake Powell
No matter when you visit, keep an eye on the weather prior to your trip. You’ll want to watch out for winds and thunderstorms. The lake can get incredibly choppy and not only would it not be fun to kayak in super rough conditions, but it can also be dangerous.
Spring: I visited Lake Powell in mid-May and got perfect weather. No wind, warm daytime temps, and the water was warm enough to take a quick dip in. That said, you would not want to tip over and if you did, you’d want to be wearing a wet suit. Hypothermia does happen and it is serious.
In spring, the water level is also lower which allows you better access to the back of the canyons and the chance of rain is lower than later in summer.
Summer: Summers tend to be scorching at Lake Powell. Swimming is comfortable, but paddling not so much, at least in the heat of the day. If you plan a Lake Powell kayaking trip in summer, plan to paddle in the early morning and late afternoon and spend the hottest part of the day on the beach swimming. I’d also want to pack some sort of tarp/shade structure for hanging out on the beach.
Other things to keep in mind are that flash floods are highest in July through September and the beginning of summer through Labor Day is the busiest time on the lake.
Fall: Fall is a great time to explore Lake Powell. You can expect very pleasant air and water temps and fewer people.
Winter: Exploring Lake Powell during the winter months is only recommended for experienced paddlers and you should wear a wet suit even when you are in your boat. Days are short, temps are cold, and swimming isn’t possible. However, with the right weather window, Lake Powell can be a very special place in the winter.
If you don’t want to pay for the pricey water taxi to Labyrinth Canyon, you can still enjoy an overnight kayak trip on Lake Powell without a water shuttle. The easiest and most economical option is to drive from Page, launch at Lone Rock Campground or Wahweap Marina and then paddle across the lake to Wiregrass Canyon and Lone Rock Canyon. Both of these areas have a ton of options for camping and cool geological features to explore.
Another popular overnight option is to launch at Antelope Point and then kayak over to the mouth of Navajo Canyon. You can camp at the mouth and then explore Navajo Canyon as a day trip.
If you’re still unsure about route options, the staff at Kayak Lake Powell are very knowledgeable and provided us with a lot of advice about where to go on Lake Powell and what to check out. Depending on your time and financial constraints, I’d suggest discussing the different kayaking route options when you call to reserve your kayaks.
Kayak camping gear is very similar to what you would take with you on a backpacking trip, but you’ll want to take extra precautions to keep everything dry and secure. For a detailed guide on what to pack for your Lake Powell kayak trip, check out our comprehensive guide on kayak camping.
Below are a few recommendations specific to an overnight kayaking trip to Lake Powell.
Water purifier: The nice thing about kayaking on Lake Powell is that it’s fresh water, so you don’t need to carry a ton of water – you can simply filter water when you need it. My go-to filter is the Playtpus GravityWorks Filter. It’s fast, easy to use, and doesn’t take up much space.
Wag bags: If you are doing primitive camping along Lake Powell’s shoreline, you are required to carry out all human waste (and toilet paper) in a National Park approved waste contamination system. Basically, that means you have to go poop in a bag. No one likes to do it, but it helps keep the beaches and the water clean of (toxic) waste. So bring a couple of these wag bags.
GPS communication device: It’s a good idea to carry a GPS communication device anytime you’re in the backcountry. Once you get away from the marina, there is no cell phone service.
Life jacket: If you are renting a kayak, the kayak company should provide a life jacket. If not, you are required by law to have a life jacket with you on your kayak. I purchased this Stohlquist PFD for a week-long rafting trip and find it to be relatively comfortable to paddle in.
Lake Powell Map: This waterproof NatGeo map shows all of the side canyons, camping areas, and beaches.
Dry suit: If you’re paddling on Lake Powell during the winter months, it’s recommended that you wear a drysuit even when paddling.
Two nights was barely enough to scratch the surface of this magical place, but even so, it was worth the effort to get to Labyrinth Canyon. I’m officially hooked on Lake Powell, and I can’t wait to go back to explore more.
Have you kayaked on Lake Powell? What did your trip look like? What questions do you still have? Leave a comment below!
The Southern sea otter – also known as the California sea otter – is far and away my favorite animal. With its thick fur, sweet smile, and loving care of its young, the sea otter delights observers with its twisting dives and playful nature.
When I was offered the opportunity to encounter sea otters in the wild, I jumped on a plane to Monterey, hopped into a kayak, and spent a memorable day floating in the kelp forest with these charismatic creatures. The habitat of the California sea otter stretches from San Mateo County in the north, down to Santa Barbara.
The current total population of California sea otters hovers around 3,000 animals. While it is possible to encounter sea otters all along this stretch of the California coastline, Monterey Bay is home to the highest concentration of sea otters. In fact, there are around 500 in the Bay and the Elkhorn Slough estuary, so you are almost guaranteed to spot a few furry friends if you get out on the water.
Learn how to kayak with Monterery Bay sea otters and get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.
About California Sea Otters
California sea otters are considered a keystone species: their health is an indicator of the overall well-being of the other species in the ecosystem and of their habitats. On average, the Southern sea otter measures 5 feet and 50-70 pounds and is the smallest marine mammal in North America.
Sea otters have no blubber to keep them warm, but very thick fur, measuring one million hairs per square inch. For comparison, most humans have less than 100,000 hairs on their heads. Otters’ thick fur led trappers to hunt the mammals to near extinction in the 17th and 18th centuries, as their coats – nicknamed ‘soft gold’ were prized for gloves and other outerwear.
The 1911 Fur Seal Treaty put a stop to the hunting of fur seals and sea otters, but experts believe the total current population of California sea otters is about 1% of their numbers before hunting began. Due both to their near extinction from being hunted, and the close proximity of their habitat to humans, the California sea otter remains a threatened species.
Sea otters have an extremely high metabolism and need to eat constantly to keep warm. In fact, they eat 25-30% of their weight each day in sea urchins as well as a wide variety of mussels, clams, crabs, and other invertebrates. By grazing on sea urchins, sea otters protect the giant kelp, a favorite snack of the urchins. The hungry purple urchins have decimated these vital marine forests, creating what are called “urchin barrens” where nothing else can live. The sea otters keep the urchin population in check, and the kelp supports a rich community of plants and animals.
The healthy ecosystem and plentiful kelp forest of Monterey Bay are due in large part to the presence of the protected sea otter population.
About Monterey Bay
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1992, protecting a vast wildlife reserve and ecosystem. It’s the largest marine sanctuary in the United States.
Monterey Bay is home to the largest expanse of kelp beds in the country, which are populated with crabs, octopus, and hundreds of species of fish as well as 34 different marine mammals including sea lions, seals, dolphins, whales, and of course, sea otters.
One of North America’s largest underwater canyons, Monterey Bay is considered one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world.
Kayaking with Monterey Bay Sea Otters
The town of Monterey hosts several sea kayak tour outfitters. The kind folks at Adventures by the Sea, an outdoor recreation company that has been operating for over three decades, outfitted my friend Karen and me for our kayak tour. Our guide, Jan, has been leading sea kayak tours in Monterey for over twenty years. Her calm and expert knowledge of all the local wildlife enhanced the experience. We could have just rented kayaks and gone out on our own, but Jan’s running commentary provided useful and interesting facts and observations.
Almost immediately after launching off a floating dock, we turned the corner in the harbor and saw a small raft of sea otters resting among the sailboats and yachts.
Jan told us to stay five kayak lengths away from the otters. Their fur is so thick that when they are resting, they need to clean themselves and dry out their fur. This process can take hours and when the otters get scared, they dive underwater and must begin the drying process all over, which is exhausting.
Image credit: Ariel Frager
From a distance, we watched as the otters rolled and dove. There were dozens of mama and pup pairs in the Bay the day of our tour. The mamas were teaching their adolescent-looking pups to dive; at times the mamas would grab their babe by the scruff to distance themselves from our kayaks. When a mama got separated from her young, she rose halfway out of the water and made a screeching call, “where are you?” and almost immediately her pup surfaced for a cheerful reunion.
As we left the harbor, the breaker wall was lined with cormorants, gulls, sea lions, and harbor seals. The collection of sea mammal sounds and smells heightened the contrast between the adult toys docked in the marina and the wild side of Monterey Bay.
Image credit: Ariel Frager
Our group paddled toward Cannery Row and encountered a kelp forest. Sea otters use the kelp to rest, anchoring themselves to the long strands of giant kelp that are attached to the seafloor. The otters will raft up, nestling into the kelp to groom, eat and chill out with their friends. The mamas often tie up their pups in the kelp when they hunt, and otters frequently hold hands to keep from floating away.
I floated next to one small raft of otters for quite some time. I could feel how the kelp kept my sit-on-top-kayak stable despite the sizeable waves and foam. We just floated there together. Some other groups of otters were too nervous when I approached, even at a healthy distance. The mamas took off almost immediately. But this one white-faced otter and I just hung out together in the California sun. She turned and wiggled, searching for a comfy spot in her kelp bed. At times she even put up her feet/flippers to rest, taking in the beautiful morning and her human floating friend.
What to bring kayaking with sea otters in Monterey Bay
Layers are important when kayaking in Monterey Bay. Due to the ever-changing marine layer, it can be quite cold and foggy, even on a summer morning, and then warmer in the afternoon. Make sure to bring the following:
I would also make a strong recommendation for a change of clothes so you can change immediately after your kayak tour. We ended up with wet backsides and I wished I had brought a change of clothes with me.
Water shoes or sandals are helpful but not necessary. I went barefoot because I really didn’t want to get my sneakers wet. Adventures by the Sea has dry bags available to use during the tour, but if you go kayaking on your own you’ll likely want to bring your own dry bag.
When to go kayaking with sea otters in Monterey Bay
Mornings tend to be calmer in Monterey Bay, which is preferable both for paddling and wildlife viewing. The winds often build throughout the day, so an afternoon paddle can become a bit more treacherous. There are days when the reverse is true; it can be windy in the morning and calm in the afternoon. It’s best to watch the water, the weather report and be flexible. Our tour was scheduled long before the trip, but we ended up kayaking a day earlier because a giant wind and rainstorm came through on the day of our originally scheduled tour.
Sea otters live in Monterey Bay year-round and are often visible even from the docks and walkways on Cannery Row. I was very pleased to see otter mamas and pups in October, but the best time for viewing baby otters is late March through August.
What to Expect When Kayaking with Sea Otters in Monterey Bay
Sea kayaking using the sit-on-top kayak is pretty forgiving. They are easy to navigate, and Adventures by the Sea offers basic paddling instructions prior to each tour. Kids between 5 – 14 years old are welcome to join a tour in a tandem kayak, and folks 14 and up can use a single. Out in the Bay, kayakers can use the kelp just like the otters to raft up and rest, especially when the waves roll through or the wind picks up. Make sure to keep 50 feet or more distance from all area marine life. Sea otters are wild animals, and you don’t want to startle or disturb them.
Even though our scheduled tour was set for only two hours, close to the turnaround time Jan said we could return the kayaks whenever we wanted. Karen and I could have stayed out all day. Long after our tour ended, we paddled back, a major bucket list item having been checked off.
The raft of otters who hang out in the marina were there to say goodbye. It’s not just that the southern sea otter is cute, but it’s like they know me. They are the embodiment of all I hope to be – joyful, intelligent, and a really good mom.
Ollie is a big fan of CBeebies Land
The Sky Ride is a great way to see Alton Towers
Ollie loved spotting the sharks at Sharkbait Reef
