There are many things to do whether you are enjoying a family vacation, a getaway as a couple or a relaxing solitude.
White Water Rafting
One of the best ways to see the Grand Canyon is to take a white water adventure trip down the Colorado River. Since John Wesley Powell’s first exploratory trip in 1869, thousands of people have become part of the river running community. The white water trips offered by local certified outfits allow passengers to travel down river and experience breathtaking beauty, fierce rapids, ancient ruins, side canyon hikes and the unique geological history of the Grand Canyon. One hundred years of innovative raft design and multiple generations of qualified river runners have opened up the river as a safe and exciting way to visit one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Folks of all ages are welcome and many of the river outfits now offer trips for disabled patrons.
The river trips start just down the road from us at Lees Ferry and passengers and guides alike stay with us at Cliff Dwellers Lodge and dine at our restaurant "The Cliff" before embarking on their adventure. The entire river trip follows 279 miles of river from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead. As the passengers float through the Grand Canyon, the river drops 1,709 feet to the lake and produces some of the most challenging and exciting rapids in the world. Everyday guests encounter torrent waters and heart pounding trills as they make there way down river. While most river’s rapids are gauged one a one to five scale (five being the most challenging) the Grand Canyon is rated one to ten. This fact alone assures an adventure that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
If white water thrills aren’t all you seek, the trip juxtaposes its rapids with serene side canyon filled with trickling streams and spectacular water falls. Nestles back in these lush riparian oasis guests are given the chance to explore prehistoric cliff dwellings and commune with the Grand Canyon’s unique and isolated flora and fauna. If you are a geology buff, a river trip allows you to venture back through geological history starting at the age of the Dinosaurs and ending 1.7 billon years ago when the Southwest was covered by shallow tidal seas.
There are many different ways to become a part of the Grand Canyon river rafting community. The simplest and most affordable way of running the river is to hire one of the twenty certified rafting outfits from our community. These outfits offer different adventure packages to fit the needs of the guests. Trips vary in length from seven to twelve days depending on your means of travel. One can choose to explore the river in a motorized pontoon boat or paddle the canyon in an oar raft or dory. Most of the outfitters allow singles or couples to sign up for group trips or you can spend your time in the canyon with friends and family on charter trips. Lees Ferry Anglers and Cliff Dweller Lodge work closely with Hatch River Expeditions. They have been our neighbors for the last four years and they have been operating on the Colorado River for the past 65 years. They have a fleet of experienced boatmen and offer most of the packages mentioned above as well as four day trips. You can visit the Hatch webpage at www.hatchriverexpeditions.com. No matter how you choose to raft the river, you must get reservations in advance. If you are planning a trip down river and need lodging and food contact us at info@cliffdwellerslodge.com or give us a call at 800-962-9755.
Take a day and float along the Colorado. Smooth water floats are family friendly and give you time to reflect on the grandeur of the canyon. For more information, visit:
Fishing is the cornerstone of our operation here at Cliff Dweller Lodge. The angling at Lees Ferry has brought us to this desert oasis and we have built this business around providing the best possible fishing experience on the Colorado River. Lees Ferry Anglers was established in 1989, and since then we have expanded to include Cliff Dwellers Lodge and The Cliff restaurant in order to provide a complete fishing lodge experience. We have 13 full-time guides on staff, and every one of them is competent in assisting all types of anglers: from beginner to the most advanced fly caster.
The Colorado is a truly unique destination fishing locale. With its thousand foot Navajo Sandstone cliffs and its crystal clear water, the Colorado River is a desert refuge destined to capture the hearts and minds of any fly fishing fanatic. Our up-river fishing trips take passengers through fourteen miles of Glen Canyon were they will experience why John Wesley Powell, the first explorer of the lower Colorado Basin, gave the canyon a name which connotes a sense of peace and tranquility.
The river flows at varying rates but the water temperature stays at a constant forty-eight degrees, a perfect environment for healthy trout. Because Lees Ferry is a year-round fishery, an angler, on any give day, can catch twelve to twenty four inch free swimming rainbow trout. As the seasons change so does the fishing. The summer months are a great time to visit the Ferry and target eager rainbows rising to a whole slough of big terrestrials. In the fall, spring and winter months we fish for aggressively feeding rainbows in the riffles and deeper runs. Trout at Lees Ferry gorge themselves on tiny midge larva, scuds, and aquatic worms. The tannins in the fishes’ food source cause them to exhibit magnificent spawning colors which have become synonymous with Lees Ferry.
If you are interested in fishing with us at Lees Ferry, please email us or give us a call at 1(800) 962-9755. Our up-river fishing trips include gas and transportation in a covered Koffler Jet Boat (heated during the winter), lunch, rods, and guide service. If you need waders we rent them in our fly shop. We are more than willing to help. Come visit the Ferry and find out why we are proud to call this place our home.
For MUCH more about fishing at Lees Ferry, please visit the site of our on-site guide service - Lees Ferry Anglers.www.leesferry.com
Day Hikes in the Lees Ferry Area
Northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau offer some of the most unique landscape in the Southwest. From the high desert canyon country to the ponderosa forest of the Kaibab Plateau, there are hundreds of hiking trails all within a short distance from Cliff Dwellers Lodge. Regardless of the time of year there are many hikes that will suit each individual’s interest and skill level. Summer months are very warm and it is necessary to carry lots of water, two gallons a day per person is recommended. Never hike solo and always let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back. Stay on designated trails and wear proper clothing for the time of year. A wide brim hat and light long sleeve shirt is recommended for summer months along with plenty of sunscreen. Warm clothes and a water proof jacket are necessary during the winter months.
Whether it is historical interests, the Colorado River and its trout fishing, or the stark natural beauty of the area, any hiker can find solitude.
Lower Paria Canyon and the Lonely Dell Ranch
Location: Trailhead for Paria Canyon begins at the historic Lonely Dell Ranch near the Lees Ferry boat launch.
Hike Description: The lower Paria Canyon trail follows the creek bed, which flows year round with shallow muddy water fed by springs further up the canyon. Magnificent sandstone walls streaked with desert varnish rise nearly a thousand feet on either side. The canyon bottom is dotted with cottonwood and desert willow. The trail is easy to follow and allows the hiker to enjoy the scenery. Early in the morning glass the cliffs with binoculars and you might spot bighorn sheep. There is also the possibility of seeing one of the giant California condors effortlessly gliding through the sky. Spend some time poking around the historic Lonely Dell Ranch where first, John Doyle Lee and later the Johnson family lived. There is an interesting cemetery along the trail where many of Arizona’s first pioneers are buried. This is an easy hike and offers its visitors a glimpse into the labyrinth of Arizona’s canyon country.
Spencer Trail
Location: Trailhead located a couple hundred yards upstream from the Lees Ferry boat launch. There is a sign and rock cairn where the trail takes off to the left.
Hike Description: The Spencer trail climbs to the top of the cliffs above the Colorado River. This hike is difficult and not recommended during summer months or to be done by anyone with a fear of heights. The view from the top is spectacular and offers quiet and solitude not found anywhere else.
Cathedral Wash
Location: Two miles after the turn off to Lees Ferry from Marble Canyon is a pull out on the left hand side of the road. There is a Park Service point of interest sign here and the trail begins in the wash bottom another fifty yards down the road.
Hike Description: This hike is a two hour round trip hike which takes you through lime stone narrows to the Colorado River. There are a couple of short drop offs which can be avoided by hiking the upper shelves. The song of the canyon wren can be heard year round and an occasional red tail hawk can be seen. This canyon is subject to flash flooding during summer rain storms. Before entering the canyon check local weather reports. The trail ends at the Colorado River in the Marble canyon gorge where one can fish and enjoy the solitude. This is a day use area only where overnight camping is prohibited without a permit issued from the Park Service.
Stargazing
For a brilliant array of stars, step outside and look up at the night skies. With no city lights or haze to detract from celestial perfection, you can see how full of light the sky really is. Test your astronomy skills and see how many constellations or stars you can find.
Summer Viewing: Scorpius, Sagittarius, the Milky Way, Aquarius, Circlet of Pisces, Cygnus, Cassiopia, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Draco, Virgo, Libra, Leo and others. Jupiter, Venus and Mars can be seen during various months as well.
Winter Viewing: Taurus, Pisces, Delphinus, Gemini, Cancer, Orion, Canis Minor, Canis Major, Head of Hydra, Lepus among many others. Saturn is visible during the late winter months.
For maps and viewing help, visit www.flandrau.org (the science center of the University of Arizona).
Golfing
Enjoy a round of golf at the Lake Powell National Golf Course in Page, Arizona. The golf course is an 18-hole championship course overlooking Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. The golf shop includes top name brands for the novice and the professional. Lessons are available. Contact us for information on individual or group rates.
Places of Interest
A few hours drive from Lees Ferry can bring you to any of these beautiful places, most of which are National Parks.
The Honeymoon Trail
The Honeymoon Trail was created when early Mormon settlers traveled to St. George to be married in the St. George Temple. The trail, which still exists and can be visited by foot or 4X4 vehicle, linked Lees Ferry to St. George, Utah. There are still inscriptions on the rocks from those who passed through.
Glen Canyon Dam There are free tours of the dam available throughout the day. The Visitor's Center is located just off of US 89 near Page on the north side of the bridge. There you can watch short films on the making of the dam, view photos from the early years of the dam or take one of the free tours down into the dam itself. Outside, you can enjoy a perfect view of Lake Powell and the Colorado River from the bridge. It is a great photo-taking opportunity.
Lake Powell See the lake with more shoreline than the west coast. The water fluctuates from deep blue to a sea green depending on the time of day and weather. There are rentals for boats or personal watercraft as well as boat tours that will take you to Rainbow Bridge, Antelope Point or, in the summer, dinner cruises. You can swim, fish, scuba dive or walk along the beach. There is a fee to enter Lake Powell, which you can pay at the gate or you may use a National Parks Pass.
North Rim, Grand Canyon The North Rim is a quieter way to see the Grand Canyon. Smaller crowds and more of a natural experience welcome you. While the facilities are closed from mid-October to mid-May, the Cliff Dwellers Lodge is open year round. In the summer, be sure to reserve your lodging at the Cliff Dwellers Lodge early. There is a fee to enter the North Rim. You may use a Grand Canyon National Park Pass or a National Parks Pass.
South Rim, Grand Canyon If you want to experience the Grand Canyon from a variety of viewpoints, take the drive to the South Rim. Not only are there many tours by air, but also by mule (reserve early), bus or foot. Visit the IMAX Theater, Desert View Watchtower and the historic gift shops and galleries along the rim. There is a fee to enter the South Rim. You may use a Grand Canyon National Park Pass or a National Parks Pass.
Zion A haven for campers and hikers. With beautiful canyons and many geological structures, there are plentiful places to experience first hand. It's easy to take a scenic drive through the park in your own vehicle or on a free shuttle. If you are looking for solitude and a quiet place to contemplate nature, take a day to visit Zion. There is a fee to enter Zion National Park. You may purchase a pass at the gate or use a National Parks Pass.
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos dot the land known as Bryce Canyon. It's a great place to hike, bike or camp. There are several programs geared to star gazing at night. Because there is so much diversity in the landscape, sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. There is a fee to enter Bryce Canyon. You may purchase a pass at the gate or use a National Parks Pass.
National Parks Fishing Fine Dining Hiking Mountain Biking
River Running
Photography
Lake Powell
Sightseeing Day Trips Star Gazing Native American Crafts Golfing Peace & Quiet
All available in the Lees Ferry area!
HC 67 Box 30 Marble Canyon, AZ 86036
Toll Free (800)962-9755 Direct (928)355-2261 Fax (928)355-2271
