Padre Bay

Padre Bay, around mile 19, is the largest stretch of open water on Lake Powell. Gunsight Butte, Cookie Jar Butte and Padres Butte rise from its shores. It is named for the Dominguez-Escalante expedition, whose 1776 river crossing, the Crossing of the Fathers, now lies under the bay near Padres Butte. With so much open water it can get rough when the wind picks up.

Boater notes (2026): a sunken 27-ft boat lies in the last cove on the upstream side of Padre Bay (reported to NPS). Watch your depth there.

Good for

Natural AttractionsCanyonRock FormationScenic View/OverlookTrailCanoe/Kayak Trail

Elevation

3,688 ft (1,124 m)

Updated

10/31/2026