Lees Ferry

Overview Lees Ferry is a historic river crossing and river-access point on the Colorado River in northern Arizona, noted as the principal put-in for river trips through the Grand Canyon. The site includes historic ferry remains and a managed boat launch area.

What visitors find Anglers, hikers, and whitewater outfitters use the area for access to the Colorado River and nearby trails, and the site is a common staging point for multi-day river expeditions through the Grand Canyon. Interpretive signs and a small campground mark the historic ferry location and provide basic visitor information.

History A commercial ferry operation was established at the crossing in the 1870s, and the place became a key regional crossing and supply point. The historic ferry and associated structures are preserved as part of the area’s cultural landscape, and the site is managed by the National Park Service within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Location Lees Ferry sits on the Colorado River at the head of Marble Canyon in northern Arizona, within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The location is remote and is reached by road from regional towns that provide visitor services.

• Historic ferry: The site was first operated as a ferry crossing by John D. Lee in the 1870s and retains historic structures and interpretive signage about early river transport in the region.
• River access and permits: Serves as the principal put-in for downstream Grand Canyon river trips; river permits and reservations are handled by the National Park Service and are required for commercial or private launches.

What to See #

• Old ferry site: The original ferry crossing site established in the 19th century, with interpretive remains and historic markers managed by the National Park Service.
• Boat ramp and put-in: A paved boat ramp and put-in area used as the primary launch point for river trips through the Grand Canyon; permits from the National Park Service are required for commercial and private trips.
• Confluence with a major tributary: The nearby confluence where a major tributary joins the Colorado River, offering additional hiking and photographic opportunities and contributing to local river hydraulics.