Big boats about to get even bigger fees at Lake Powell

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Rates are about to go way up for big boats on Lake Powell, with changes scheduled to go into effect on March 4, 2024.

Some annual passes will go up by hundreds of dollars, with the most expensive hitting $1,600 for an annual pass.

For most recreational boaters — boats 26 feet and under — the fee will go up by $10 for an annual pass — increasing from the current $50 to the new $60 for an annual pass.

But after that, look out. Longer speed boats, cabin cruisers, pontoon boats, houseboats and party boats are going way up. The table below shows the new rates that kick in March 4:

Previous fee structures were pretty simple — $50 for an annual pass, or $30 for a one-week pass. But the National Park Service is making changes to charge bigger boats much more.

“There are no imminent plans for similar increases at Lake Mead,” according to John Haynes, who works in public affairs at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The fee increases are limited to boats in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Federal agencies notify the public and offer opportunities for comment before raising fees. For these increases, that happened in September and October of 2023.

A post on Facebook commenting on the increases called them outrageous. “Out of control and out of their minds,” according to a post on the Lake Powell Houseboating group.

Other comments complained that the new fees wouldn’t result in needed improvements, but some people said the fees were long overdue for an increase. Some were resigned to the increases, saying everyone probably assumes anyone with a big boat can afford the higher fee.

Personal watercraft 16 feet and under will be $40 for an annual pass or $20 for a weekly pass.

People who buy passes before the change goes into effect will have to pay the new rates, with the fee they already paid applied to the new pass.

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