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I'm trying to find info on backpacking and overnight camping at lake Powell. I'd like to camp close to the water so I can fish and swim, I can't seem yo find much info on backpacking. Is a boat the ony way to explore Powell?

There are several drainages in the Escalante River area of Southern Utah that could get you to the lake, but might require advanced canyoneering skills. Many of the canyons are accessed via Hole in the Rock Road or the Burr Trail. This might be a good source of info - http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/esca/

or check out the community section of the backpacker.com site at -
http://forums.backpacker.com/forum.jspa ... 15&start=0

Moki Canyon, by the Bullfrog Marina area is accessible without a boat, but can be backpacked to the lake. There's also a ton of ruins in there. Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen mentions how to get into the canyon, briefly, but doesn't really explore the backpacking end of things.
If you can get a permit from the Navajo Nation, Navajo Canyon can be accessed via US98 and backpacked to Lake Powell. Stan Jones mentions the possibilities in a map of Lake Powell that he has produced.

ha seldom seen! What a great book I just finished it.

Referring to that book, I led a trip for the local chapter of the AZ Archaeological Soc. to Saddle Mountain cliff dwelling in western New Mexico a couple of years ago. We took a lot of ropes and hardware, although my son climbed up to it with no problems to set up the climb for the rest of us.

I've hiked the South Fork of Ticaboo Canyon down to Powell and was able to cross over to another side canyon, forget the name at the Lake. The lake was low so the confluence was a really ugly mud flat; I camped up in the canyon. Another canyon with access would be Swett Canyon, again you might be able to loop it with I think Woodruff or Trail canyon if the lake is low. I know Swett is a dry, and mostly narrow canyon.
Out of Escalante and end of Hole in the Rock road Fifty Mile and Davis get to the lake, although 50 mile ends in narrows that will probably be waterfilled and would involve a swim to the lake. It can be done as a day hike. I haven't made it in Davis, again dayhikeable but not in super hot weather, you cross a lot of slickrock domes and temps can easily be in the low 100's there, if you do the slot, be prepared for canyoneering.

Resources: Michael Kelsy's Hiking the Colorado Plateau; and his book on Boating and Hiking on Lake Powell.

Oh, I forgot also a great hike is Halls Creek Narrows which gets to the Lake. Need a permit as is part of Capitol Reef National Park, I think it is free. Remote TH, may need to walk last part if you do not have high clearance. Pretty easy backpack, with an arch to see on the way, great scenery Waterpocket Fold, and the watery narrows, can by pass them but some awesome alcove camping if no rain. I have only done the narrows and cannot say how it is right at the lake.