Lake Powell is like no other place on earth. Its soaring red-rock buttes, sandstone arches and narrow canyons sculpted by nature’s elements over millions of years are almost otherworldly. Combine the incredibly varied rock formations with emerald blue-green water and the desert’s sunny skies, and you have the ideal backdrop for a relaxing houseboat vacation.

Houseboat you say? For a honeymoon? Why not?!

Traditionally, houseboat vacations are popular for families or for couples and singles who partner up to share the cost of a houseboat rental. But why can't you take your honeymoon funds and rent a boat all to yourselves? After all, what could be more romantic than sipping cocktails on the top of the boat, watching the glorious sunset behind towering red-rock cliffs? (Then, of course, there's skinny dipping in the cool lakewater by moonlight!)

Formed by the damming of the Colorado River in 1963 (to the ire of environmentalists and archaeologists), the reservoir known as Lake Powell stretches between Utah and Arizona for 186 miles when it’s full.

A houseboat, combined with powerboat or jet skis, is the best way to intimately experience and explore the vast reservoir and its 2,000 miles of shoreline. You can rent all three from one of three marinas on the lake.

Houseboats accommodate all group sizes (including just two) and budgets, ranging from the basic “Explorer” with its swim slide and equipped kitchenette to the “Odyssey” which features air conditioning, a rooftop wet bar and on-board hot tub.

The night before you pick up your houseboat, consider booking a room at marina's lodging so you can be first in line when the marina opens in the early morning. After receiving a safety briefing and thorough driving instructions, you’ll want to head out to find a sandy spot as base camp for pitching tents or sleeping under the incredibly starry sky (or just sleep in the beds on the boat), and building a fire ring for roasting marshmallows.

If you can find time in between fishing, water skiing, tubing, swimming and hiking, an excursion to Rainbow Bridge is worth the trip. It’s 50 miles by water from Bullfrog Marina to this spectacular national monument, so pack lunch in your powerboat and make a day of it. Also check out the Defiance House ruins up Forgotten Canyon, where rangers answer questions about the structures the Anasazi Indians left behind, and Moqui Canyon for its fine fishing, ruins and mysterious pictographs. But discovering secret arches, private coves and special spots is what makes houseboating on Lake Powell your own unique honeymoon vacation.