There are also unmarked ruins in Moqui Canyon if you look hard enough.Īcross the main channel on the west side, Smith Fork (directly across from the mouth of Forgotten Canyon-so named because the old USGS maps from the early 20th century forgot to label it on the map) is one of the best slot canyons on the lake. Also, Forgotten Canyon is home to the very well-marked Defiance House Ruins (left side of the right fork as you go in, maybe 2 miles from the main channel), great ruins and petroglyph panel (marked by an NPS sign). Knowles and Forgotten offer the best hiking potential, as does the northern arm of Moqui. In each case, you should be able to park your kayak at the end and keep on walking, without any real difficulty. On the right as you head north, Moqui, Crystal Springs, Forgotten, and Knowles are similar, and all a couple of miles long or more.

You'll encounter several excellent kayaking canyons in that direction. Bullfrog is also much closer to several very nice exploring canyons than is Wahweap Marina in the south, so again, you score. Since you'll be in the northern part of the lake, boat traffic will be much lighter than in the south-a great thing for kayakers.

So good choice-I’ll be going this year in September too. After the summer crowds have gone, water is still warm, days are still long enough, and the monsoon rains have let up. September is the best time at Lake Powell, in my opinion.

Map of slot canyons in lake powell