Houseboat Vacations and Destinations

Houseboat vacations are for anyone who loves being on the water and exploring rivers and lakes. Houseboats are an alternative to staying in a hotel and provide spacious living areas, sundecks, galleys or full kitchens, and comfortable sleeping quarters. Most houseboats can accommodate 4 to 6 people, but options include large boats that have four or more bedrooms. If you’ve never maneuvered a houseboat before, you can be guided through operating the boat when you pick it up. Payment policies vary depending on the operator you choose.

Houseboat Rental and Pet Policies

Usually, a deposit is required when you reserve your houseboat. The balance is due when you arrive to pickup your houseboat. Pet policies can vary as some operators don’t allow pets under any circumstances. Others allow pets with an extra deposit, and of course some welcome pets. You can search for pet-friendly houseboats. Here are some exciting destinations for houseboat vacations.

Erie Canal

The peak time to travel the Erie Canal in a houseboat is between May and November. A lot of marinas along the canal offer opportunities to explore historic towns built in the 19th century, dine at restaurants on the waterfront or visit one of New York’s many wineries. Houseboats on the Erie Canal are small and can accommodate four to six people. The houseboats are ideal for couples or small families. The departure point for Erie Canal Vacations is in Macedon near Rochester, New York.

Some of the destinations to visit before or after your boat charter are Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, or the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls. Your travel experience can take you to the Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego Canals. The Finger Lakes in New York provide the opportunity to experience history, culture, and have fun.

Pocatello, Idaho

Pocatello is the second biggest city in Idaho, in the southeastern part of the state. American Falls Reservoir is the Snake River’s largest reservoir and is a few miles from the center of town. The Idaho location is a popular water sports destination. The boat docks are at Seagull Bay Marina and camping is available at Willow Bay. Pocatello is a vacation destination that has amusement parks, national and state parks, museums, and festivals.

The Pocatello Zoo features animals that are native to Idaho and include red-tailed hawks, red foxes, mountain goats, and mountain lions. The nearby Idaho Museum of Natural History has special events and exhibits that are fascinating for kids and adults. Favorite activities include whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, biking, and boating.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead on the Colorado River is the biggest man-made lake in the country, located in Arizona and Nevada. The Lake Mead Recreation Area offers water activities and panoramic views of the mountains. Scuba diving in the lake offers the chance to see the lake from a different perspective. Cathedral Cove has a beach and area for swimming. Hikers can traverse the Redstone Dune Trail and Wetlands Trail, a loop that goes to a desert creek.

The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail runs along an abandoned railway that extends through four tunnels and ends at the lake. Henderson, Nevada has several grocery stores so you can stock up before you begin your lake trip. Lake Mead is a National Recreation Area and government regulations stipulate that no more than 12 passengers may travel on a houseboat.

Lake Billy Chinook

Located in the high desert region of Oregon, Lake Billy Chinook is a canyon lake. The lake is made up of waters from the Metolius, Crooked, and Deschutes Rivers. The weather is warm during the summer and mild in the winter, making it a popular vacation destination year-round. The spectacular, high cliffs on the banks of the lake offer scenery not found anywhere else. More than 10 miles of hiking trails extend through the region. Cove Palisades State Park is the recreation area at the lake. Round Butte Overlook Park, more than 400 feet above Lake Billy Chinook, offers incredible views of Deschutes River Canyon.

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This guest post is courtesy of KJ’s Superstores, with locations throughout Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Idaho including a Pocatello car wash. KJ’s offers a large selection of convenience and travel items for your vacation trip or regular pit stop.