HikeArizona.COM

Greetings,

Trying to figure out if Aramark has a monopoly on the Rainbow Bridge boat tours...need a one way ride from the bridge to the marina on 10/24. Aramark won't allow my dog on board...even offered to purchase a ticket for my dog...need to find a dog friendly boat operator.

Suggestions?

Many thanks,
Louie

You could try Executive Services out of Wahweap (928) 645-1027 - It will not be cheap. Or call around to various boat rental places in Page & Big Water & see if you could drum up someone. Business is pretty slow up there - which could be pretty good for you. One rental place that I know of is Skyline in Big Water.

One other possibility is to call Susan @ 928-691-1047. She and her husband, Steve own the Paria Outpost and live in Big Water - she may be able to arrange something with a local boat owner or at least point you in the right direction. Also get her price on running you out to the trailhead. Her published rate is $1.50 mile + $30 hr., but sometimes she'll cut you a break from that. Tell her Kurt said 'hi'.

Here's some more shuttle services, land based as far as I know but maybe . . .

National Park Tourz toll free at 866-433-8492 or at 435-272-2008.
Circle Tours provides guided tours and shuttle services to various northern Arizona/southern Utah trailheads. Contact Kyle Walker at 888-854-7862.
End of the Trail Shuttles, Betty Price, PO Box 6135, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036; 928-355-2252.

Call Antelope Point Marina, the other marina near Page. They offer charter boat services and on most things are cheaper than Wahweap.
BTW, it is illegal to have a dog on land or docks within Rainbow Bridge National Monument. I've seen it happen, of course, but if Chuck or another ranger is up there, you may not like the outcome. This may be one of the reasons why Wahweap said no.

I remember back in 83 when the lake was the fullest it has ever been swimming under Rainbow Bridge. I think I have pictures of me in the water. From what I remember the last time I was there in 97 you could not swim anywhere in that area among other things.

There was a big resource review in the early 90's. The no swimming thing came from that, among other things.

I too remember diving off the rocks right under the bridge. It was fun!

I was still living in NJ at the time and every summer my Grand Mother would take me to AZ and we would spend the summer in Page with my Aunt and her husband. They had a friend with house boat and at least 2 weeks of the summer was spent on the boat exploring the lake. My uncle was a NPS Ranger and knew the lake well so I saw all kinds of neat stuff. I have so many great memories of those summers.