Spending time on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon country is an experience not to be missed.
Problem is, accessing the Colorado in these parts is no easy feat. There’s more than 250 miles of river between Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and the river flows through canyon the whole way, sometimes thousands of feet deep. Because of this there’s only three locations where vehicles can reach the water.
Lee’s Ferry is one of them.
This rare break in the cliffs is where Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park meet, and a perfect place to enjoy the magic of the mighty Colorado River.
There’s a campground, a boat launch, hiking trails, and historical buildings. Page, Arizona is about 15 miles away on Highway 89A.
Lee’s Ferry is the starting point for most Grand Canyon rafting trips. These are special voyages that float through arguably the most scenic stretch of river in America. The boat launch area is alive with activity during the summer as groups make final preparations and pack their boats.
Upriver is Glen Canyon. Boaters can access the river for 15 miles until just before the dam. Fisherman and kayakers share this section. There are a handful of campsites in the canyon only accessible by boat.
Downriver from Lee’s Ferry is Marble Canyon with the Grand Canyon just beyond. The boundary for Grand Canyon National Park actually begins just below the boat launch. Permitting to head downriver from Lee’s Ferry is strict.
A boat, however, is not required to appreciate the surroundings. The scenery is sublime. On a hot summer day, the icy cold water of the Colorado is refreshing and invigorating.
Here’s what Lee Ferry offers visitors:
POINTS OF INTEREST
RIVER RAFTING
Lee’s Ferry is considered the gateway to the Grand Canyon for river rafters. Boats enter Grand Canyon National Park just a few hundred yards below the boat launch. These multi-day trips finish at one of the other two access points in the Grand Canyon, either Diamond Creek Beach or Pearce Ferry. Each of these take-out spots are more than 100 miles downriver.
FISHING & KAYAKING
Above the boat launch, towards Glen Canyon Dam, is 15 miles of river surrounded by towering rock walls. Within the canyon is excellent trout fishing enjoyed by motorized boats and kayakers alike. Kayakers and Stand-Up Paddleboarders can hire a boat to drop them off near the dam for an incredible float back to Lee’s Ferry.
HIKING
Spencer Trail and Cathedral Wash Trail are both hikes with rewarding payoffs. The Spencer Trail is a grueling climb up a cliff face that delivers spectacular views of the river. Cathedral Wash Trail is less strenuous than the Spencer Trail that takes you down a tight canyon to the river’s edge inside Grand Canyon National Park.
PARIA CANYON
This is where the muddy Paria River mixes with the Colorado. Historic Lonely Dell Ranch remains for visitors to tour and learn about life for early European settlers who operated the ferry in the 1800s.
VERMILLION CLIFFS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The clifftops of Marble Canyon and land on the north side of the river is managed by the BLM. There are roads to primitive campsites on the canyon’s rim. Above Marble Canyon to the northwest are the red walls of the Vermillion Cliffs.
LAKE POWELL
About 30 minutes of a drive to the north is Lake Powell and Page, Arizona. A visit to Lee’s Ferry will almost certainly include a stop in Page where there are ample supplies and services.
