Lees Ferry is a historic Colorado River crossing forty minutes southeast of Page on Highway 89A. It is best known as the put-in point for Grand Canyon rafting trips and as the only place within 500 miles where the Colorado River can be crossed without a bridge. Before the Navajo Bridge opened in 1929, everything moving between Utah and Arizona — mail, livestock, settlers — crossed the river on a ferry pulled by ropes. Today the ferry is gone, but the stone ruins of the ferry operation, the historic Lonely Dell Ranch, and the boat ramp where 20,000 annual river trips launch remain.

For travelers based in Page, Lees Ferry works as a half-day trip. You can fish for trout in the clear tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam, walk the 3-mile River Trail past historic stone buildings, or watch rafting parties rig their boats for multi-week expeditions. The Spencer Trail offers a strenuous 4.4-mile workout with 1,700 feet of elevation gain. The campground is one of the few places near Page where you can sleep within earshot of the river.

What to Do at Lees Ferry

Watch Rafting Parties Launch

Each morning from March through October, commercial and private rafting groups gather at the Lees Ferry boat ramp to load food, gear, and passengers for trips through the Grand Canyon. The put-in process is slow and methodical — watching a 30-foot raft being inflated and rigged with kitchen boxes and ammo cans takes 45 minutes. You do not need a permit to watch from the parking area. Morning is best — most groups launch between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Do not approach the boats or interfere with the rigging.

Fishing

The 15-mile stretch of river below Glen Canyon Dam is a Blue Ribbon trout fishery. The water is cold — roughly 47–52°F year-round — and clear, which makes the trout skittish and the fishing technical. You need either an Arizona or Utah fishing license; either is valid on this section. The daily limit is four trout, with specific size restrictions. The most productive access points are at the boat ramp, Paria Riffle, and the walk-in areas along Highway 89A. Waders are useful but not required.

River Trail

A 3-mile round-trip walk along the Colorado River from the boat ramp past historic stone buildings from the ferry era. The trail is flat, following a mix of gravel, rock, and sand. There is no shade. The stone structures — including the old ferry operator's cabin and a stone corral — are preserved but not restored. Leashed dogs are permitted. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours.

Spencer Trail

A 4.4-mile round-trip hike that climbs 1,700 feet out of the Lees Ferry canyon on rocky switchbacks. The trail starts from the River Trail roughly 0.36 miles from the boat ramp, at a signed junction. The climb is steep and fully exposed. Views from the top include the Colorado River, the Vermilion Cliffs, Navajo Mountain, and the City of Page in the distance. Avoid this trail during midday heat. Spring and fall are the best seasons. No water on the trail. Plan 3 to 4 hours.

Lonely Dell Ranch

The historic homestead of the ferry operators, located a short walk from the campground. The ranch includes a stone house, orchard, cemetery, and outbuildings dating to the 1870s. The orchard still produces fruit — peaches, apples, and pears — which visitors are welcome to pick when ripe. The ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No fee to visit.

Camping

Lees Ferry Campground has 54 sites, including some with partial shade from tamarisk trees. Sites are first-come, first-served from mid-September through mid-April; reservations are required from mid-April through mid-September and fill up quickly. The campground has flush toilets, drinking water, and an RV dump station. No hookups. The nightly fee is $20. Generator hours are limited. See our camping and RV page for details.

Getting There

From Page, drive southeast on Highway 89 for roughly 5 miles, then turn left onto Highway 89A. Follow 89A as it descends through the Echo Cliffs and crosses the Navajo Bridge over Marble Canyon. Lees Ferry Road turns left just before the bridge; follow it 5 miles down to the river. The drive takes 35 to 45 minutes. There is no public transportation to Lees Ferry.

The nearest gas is at Marble Canyon Lodge, just before the turnoff to Lees Ferry. It is not open 24 hours. Fill up in Page before you leave.

How to Combine with Nearby Attractions

• Glen Canyon Dam: On the way to or from Lees Ferry. The dam is 5 miles north of Page; Lees Ferry is 40 minutes southeast. They do not naturally combine in a single stop, but both are on the Colorado River and help tell the story of how the river was tamed.
• Colorado River rafting: If you are rafting the Grand Canyon, your trip starts at Lees Ferry. If you are not rafting, watching the launch is still worthwhile.
• Lake Powell: The reservoir ends at Glen Canyon Dam; the river begins at Lees Ferry. The contrast between the still, warm reservoir and the cold, fast river is striking.
• Navajo Bridge: Just before the Lees Ferry turnoff. The original 1929 bridge is now a pedestrian walkway with interpretive panels about the engineering and history. Condors are sometimes visible from the bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lees Ferry?

Lees Ferry is a historic Colorado River crossing and the put-in point for Grand Canyon rafting trips. It was the only river crossing within 500 miles before the Navajo Bridge opened in 1929. Today it is a National Historic District with a campground, fishing access, and historic buildings.

How far is Lees Ferry from Page, Arizona?

Approximately 40 minutes by car. Take Highway 89 southeast from Page, then turn left onto Highway 89A. The turnoff to Lees Ferry is just before the Navajo Bridge.

Can you camp at Lees Ferry?

Yes. Lees Ferry Campground has 54 sites with flush toilets, drinking water, and an RV dump station. No hookups. First-come, first-served mid-September through mid-April; reservations required mid-April through mid-September. $20 per night.

Is Lees Ferry where Grand Canyon rafting starts?

Yes. All commercial and private rafting trips through the Grand Canyon put in at the Lees Ferry boat ramp. The launch process is visible to the public from the parking area.

Can you fish at Lees Ferry?

Yes. The 15-mile stretch below Glen Canyon Dam is a Blue Ribbon trout fishery. You need an Arizona or Utah fishing license. The water is cold and clear year-round.

What is the history of Lees Ferry?

Lees Ferry operated as a river crossing from 1873 to 1929, when the Navajo Bridge made it obsolete. The stone buildings, orchard, and cemetery at Lonely Dell Ranch date to the ferry era. The site is named for John D. Lee, a Mormon settler who established the ferry.

Can you visit Lees Ferry without rafting?

Yes. The campground, fishing, River Trail, Spencer Trail, and historic ranch are all open to the public. No rafting permit or affiliation is required.

Is Lees Ferry worth visiting?

Yes, for history buffs, anglers, and anyone interested in the Colorado River. It is not as visually dramatic as Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, but it offers a different dimension — the human history of the river and the starting point for one of America's most famous wilderness journeys.

For rafting information, see our Colorado River rafting page. For camping details, visit camping and RV. For Glen Canyon Dam context, see Glen Canyon Dam.