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- Region
- Arizona, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Colorado tailwater (1,000 m)
- Best season
- Year-round
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Colorado tailwater (1,000 m)
- Best season: Year-round
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Lee's Ferry (AZ)
Topic summary
Below-Glen-Canyon-Dam tailwater — 15,000+ rainbows per mile.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: Year-round
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Colorado tailwater (1,000 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Lee's Ferry (AZ) trip tools
How to get there
Lee's Ferry is on the Colorado River in Coconino County, Arizona, about 7.5 miles southwest of Page and 9 miles south of the Utah–Arizona state line. These are location descriptions, not driving distances.
- Lees Ferry
The main river-access site, historically important because the Colorado River can be easily reached from both sides here. It is an established boat-launching point, including for Grand Canyon whitewater trips.
- Colorado River at Lees Ferry
The river is the focus for fishing and boating access at Lees Ferry, rather than a separate confirmed trailhead or launch. Flow here is completely regulated by Glen Canyon Dam upstream.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Lee's Ferry (AZ)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Lee's Ferry (AZ)
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Lee's Ferry (AZ)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Lee's Ferry (AZ)
Planning to fish Lee's Ferry (AZ), Arizona? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Arizona are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Lee's Ferry (AZ)?
- A Arizona fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Arizona fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Lee's Ferry (AZ)
Thinking about hunting Lee's Ferry (AZ), Arizona? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Arizona are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Lee's Ferry (AZ)?
- Confirm the land around Lee's Ferry (AZ) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Arizona?
- A Arizona hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A river access point with an unusual setting
Lee's Ferry sits on the Colorado River in Coconino County, Arizona, southwest of Page and south of the Utah–Arizona state line. Its importance begins with geography: this is the only place in hundreds of miles where the river can be easily reached from both sides. That made it a useful crossing long before it became a fishing and boat-launching destination. For outdoor planning, the central distinction is between visiting the river here and setting out on a river trip. Lee's Ferry is a starting point for whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon, but a visit to the launch area is not the same undertaking as a canyon descent. Choose the activity first, then confirm the access arrangements and equipment needed for that specific outing.
Fishing, boating and a regulated river
Fishing and boat launching are established uses at Lee's Ferry, with the Colorado River shaping both the setting and the trip choices. Glen Canyon Dam lies a short distance upstream and completely regulates the flow past the site. That matters when planning time on the water: do not assume that a river controlled by a dam is a river without consequential conditions. Check current conditions before launching, match the outing to the group's boating experience, and use appropriate flotation equipment. Grand Canyon whitewater trips begin here, making the launch point part of a much larger journey rather than simply a local boating stop. Confirm permit and access requirements with the managing agency before committing to a fishing or boating plan.
A crossing at the center of Colorado River history
The ferry operated by John Doyle Lee gave the site its name, and boat service continued for more than 55 years before a bridge superseded it in the early twentieth century. Lee's Ferry also served as a military outpost for settlements in Utah and a center of limited gold seeking. Its continuing significance is tied to water: since the 1920s, it has been the principal river-flow measurement point used to determine allocations across the Colorado River basin. The site marks the boundary between the Upper and Lower Basins, each legally allocated half of the river's natural flow. That history adds context to a visit: the same accessible river corridor that enabled a crossing now anchors boating departures and decisions about water across a vast basin.
Route options
- Lees Ferry fishing outing
Base a fishing visit at this established Colorado River fishing location. Confirm fishing requirements, current river conditions and suitable access with the managing agency before choosing an outing.
- Grand Canyon whitewater trip from Lees Ferry
Use Lees Ferry as the launch point for a whitewater rafting journey through the Grand Canyon. Treat this as a dedicated river-trip plan, with arrangements and equipment matched to the chosen itinerary. Confirm permit and access requirements with the managing agency.
Sample itineraries
- Colorado River and crossing history · 1 day
Spend a day at Lees Ferry focused on the Colorado River and the site's role as a historic crossing. Its unusual geography made river access possible from both sides. Keep the visit shore-based and leave time to understand its continuing importance in Western water allocation.
- Fishing-focused visit · 2 days
Use the first day to get oriented at Lees Ferry and confirm fishing rules and access with the managing agency. Devote the second day to fishing at this established Colorado River fishing point. Arrange lodging and any boat services separately.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Plan around current weather and river conditions
For a spring visit, check the local forecast rather than assuming mild conditions. This is an arid setting, and Glen Canyon Dam regulates river flow past Lees Ferry; season alone is not a reliable guide to river conditions.
Summer
Choose outing times using the local forecast
Plan conservatively for heat and sun in this arid setting. Carry drinking water and sun protection, and shorten shore-based outings when conditions warrant. Check river conditions separately from the air-temperature forecast.
Fall
Confirm conditions before departure
Do not assume fall weather makes boating or fishing straightforward. Check the forecast and current river information. Dam-regulated flow remains an important planning factor regardless of season.
Winter
Use current forecasts to choose suitable days
Check temperatures before planning extended time beside or on the river. Pack layers and keep spare clothing dry for boat outings. Confirm access and services rather than assuming year-round availability.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Plan around current weather and river conditions | For a spring visit, check the local forecast rather than assuming mild conditions. This is an arid setting, and Glen Canyon Dam regulates river flow past Lees Ferry; season alone is not a reliable guide to river conditions. |
| Summer | Choose outing times using the local forecast | Plan conservatively for heat and sun in this arid setting. Carry drinking water and sun protection, and shorten shore-based outings when conditions warrant. Check river conditions separately from the air-temperature forecast. |
| Fall | Confirm conditions before departure | Do not assume fall weather makes boating or fishing straightforward. Check the forecast and current river information. Dam-regulated flow remains an important planning factor regardless of season. |
| Winter | Use current forecasts to choose suitable days | Check temperatures before planning extended time beside or on the river. Pack layers and keep spare clothing dry for boat outings. Confirm access and services rather than assuming year-round availability. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current access, fishing, boating, and rafting requirements with the managing agency before visiting.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Dehydration and sun exposure warrant careful planning in this arid setting; carry drinking water and sun protection.
- Entering or falling into the Colorado River carries drowning risk. Wear a properly fitted life jacket when boating.
- Grand Canyon whitewater trips require preparation beyond a casual river visit. Match the trip to the group's skills and equipment.
- Glen Canyon Dam completely regulates flow past Lees Ferry. Do not infer river conditions from local weather alone.
What to pack for Lee's Ferry (AZ)
- Drinking water
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Properly fitted life jacket
- Dry bag
- Spare dry clothing
- Activity-appropriate boating or fishing equipment
- Forecast-appropriate layers
- First-aid kit
- Reliable means of communication
Lee's Ferry (AZ) FAQ
- Where is Lees Ferry?
- Lees Ferry is on the Colorado River in Coconino County, Arizona, about 7.5 miles southwest of Page and 9 miles south of the Utah–Arizona state line. These location figures should not be treated as driving distances.
- What can visitors do here?
- Lees Ferry is an established fishing and boat-launching point. It also serves as a starting point for whitewater rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. A shore-based visit can focus on the river and the site's crossing and water-management history.
- Why was the crossing important?
- Its geography provided easy access to the Colorado River from both sides, an unusual feature over hundreds of miles. Ferry service operated for more than 55 years before a bridge replaced its transportation role in the early 20th century.
- Is the river flow natural here?
- No. Glen Canyon Dam, a short distance upstream, completely regulates flow past Lees Ferry. Check current river information before a boating or fishing outing.
- Why does Lees Ferry matter to water management?
- Lees Ferry marks the boundary between the Colorado River's Upper and Lower Basins. Since the 1920s, it has been the principal river-flow measurement point used to determine water allocations across the Colorado River basin.