Lee’s Ferry, Arizona
Located in Northern Arizona in a region known as the Arizona Strip in the Glen Canyon National Recreation area , Lee’s Ferry has become a very popular destination for visitors to enjoy a myriad of recreational and outdoor activities- including photography. This sun drenched and stunning high desert region is classic “Red Rock” country with broad valleys, majestic red rock cliffs, deep canyons, forested plateaus, and the legendary Colorado River as its glittering centerpiece.
The ferry itself was established in 1871 by John D. Lee, a Mormon pioneer who was sent to the area to establish a ferry service across the Colorado River- Mr. Lee was ultimately executed by the US Government for his participation in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a violent conflict between Mormon settlers and a wagon train of emigrants passing through southern Utah in 1857. Its been reported that Mr. Lee had as many 19 wives and 60 children…
Lee's Ferry was used as a crucial crossing point for pioneers traveling westward on the Mormon Road, as well as for miners, ranchers, and other settlers arriving in the area.
Lee’s Ferry is also renown for its boat launch on the Colorado river that is the starting portal for all major river rafting adventures into Grand Canyon National park. In addition, people with personal water craft (kayaks, canoes, etc.) and motor boats also have access to the 15 miles of river up to the base of Glen Canyon Dam. Al these attributes combined make the Lee’s Ferry recreation area one of my favorite destinations in Arizona for shooting Southwest landscapes and outdoor lifestyle & recreation photos and video footage.
Things To Do At Lee’s ferry: Below are Lees Ferry related images and a list of some popular activities and fun things to do when visiting. In addition you will see some tips and suggestions where to explore and shoot photos at the Lee’s Ferry recreation area and nearby Marble Canyon. You can click on the images to see and purchase full-size versions.
Requests & Assignments: Pleased feel free to contact me if you have questions or a special request like a photography or video field assignment. I am very familiar with this unique area and this is just small sample of the content I have captured over the years. I have created lots of dramatic and unique Lee’s Ferry & Marble Canyon B-roll footage including time-lapses and drone shots.
Some Other Services I Offer:
Old Photo Restoration & Repair: View info here about my old photo restoration services
Freelance Video Editing: View info here about my affordable video editing services
Photo Editing: See details here about my freelance photo editing services
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The Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry is world renown as one of the best tailwater Rainbow trout fisheries in the world. Anglers can either Fly-Fish or Spin fish (artificial fly’s & lures only) in the easily accessible “Walk-in” area or head up river in a private or rented power boat. Anglers can also hire a nearby guided fishing tour service to take them up river and put them on some of the best water to fish. Regardless, its a truly unique destination to go fishing with crystal clear water and towering Red Rock canyon walls as a backdrop. See more Lees Ferry Fishing images here.
This is an image of a wild Lee’s Ferry Rainbow trout caught & released Fly-Fishing in the “walkin” section of the Colorado river. Although not native to this section of the Colorado river, Rainbow trout have flourished here since the early 70s after being stocked after Glen Canyon dam was completed in 1966. The reason they have done so well in this harsh desert environment is because the dam releases cold and crystal clear water from the bottom of lake Powell year-round that trout need and thrive in. You can view some tips about Fly-Fishing the Colorado river at Lee’s Ferry here.
Fly Fishing Angler casting for Rainbow trout at the "walk in " section of the Colorado river at Lee's Ferry with the stunning and vibrant Vermilion Cliffs in the background.
A fairly rare and controversial Lee’s Ferry Brown trout. The controversy stems from the fact the National Park Service considers Brown trout an invasive species in the Colorado river below Glen Canyon dam and a threat to the endangered and native Humpback chub. Numerous Brown trout mitigation programs have been instituted over the years to control their population and growth with no support from Anglers like myself. This fish was released back to the river.
An Angler enjoying a perfect Spring day to go Fly-Fishing on the Colorado river at the Lee’s Ferry public “walk in” area with the Vermilion Cliffs in the background.
Anglers on the Colorado river with late Spring storm clouds on the way with the mighty Vermilion Cliffs in the background.
A vibrant morning view at the Lees Ferry boat launch or ramp area. This is where the majority of rafting expeditions into the Grand Canyon begin their journey.
Kayaking The Colorado River
Kayaking on the Colorado river above the Lee’s Ferry boat launch to Horseshoe Bend (or all the way up to the base of Glen Canyon Dam) has recently became very popular. There are now a number of motorized back-haul services like Kayakhorseshoebend.com that can transport Kayakers and their Kayaks up river to the destination of their choice. This stretch of the river has no real rapids so it’s a fairly easy float and paddle trip back down to the boat launch with spectacular views and lots of cool photography opportunities along the way. Kayakers’ even have a few options to camp up river at a few designated and remote campsites. In addition there is a good chance you may see small herds of wild horses along the river and other wildlife like Big Horn Sheep, Ospreys, and more. When preparing for your Kayak trip at Lees Ferry, I would definitely recommend bringing sunscreen, lots of water for hydration, and some water proof river bags to protect your cameras.
Landscape Photography
A short time-lapse compilation from the Lee’s Ferry recreation area. Please contact me if you questions or requests for footage.
There is no shortage of stunning landscape scenery to shoot as a photographer in the Lee’s Ferry recreation area as well as nearby Marble canyon and the Vermilion Cliffs National monument. This is classic American southwest “Red Rock’ country with the towering Vermilion Cliffs as the main backdrop. More adventurous individuals can also access a number of remote hiking trails in the area to capture some more unique images. If you own a wide angle lens this is the time and place to break it out to help capture the scale of the landscapes in this area. You can view a collection of Lees Ferry & Marble Canyon landscapes here.
Cathedral wash trail with the snow dusted Vermilion Cliffs in the background near the entrance of the Lee’s Ferry recreation area.
US Highway 89a in Marble Canyon with the Vermilion Cliffs in the background. This classic and expansive American Southwest scenery would be perfect for rock and roll album cover!
A free range horse visits a stock pond with snow dusted Vermilion cliffs in the background near entrance of the Glen Canyon recreation area. Yes, it does occasionally snow in this high desert environment.
You will see some unique rock formations along the access road to Lee’s Ferry. This formation is know as balance roack.
This is a black & white version of desert Bighorn Ram skull with the famously muddy Paria river in the background. The Paria enters the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry.
At an elevation of approximately 3,300 feet, it does occasionally snow at Lee’s Ferry as demonstrated in this short video clip. This was captured at the designated campground in the Lee's Ferry recreation area which has great river views.
Historic Sites & Buildings At Lee’s Ferry
Lee’s Ferry has a long and storied history as a pioneer Mormon settlement. Many of the original buildings from the late 1800s are still standing and open to the public. You can view a collection of historic buildings at Lees Ferry here.
The historic Lonely Dell Ranch at late fall time.
Cab view from an abandoned old truck in the Lee’s Ferry recreation area.
The views from Historic Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon are epic. This is also a very good location to shoot images of rare California Condors hanging in the bridge rafters or soaring in the sky above.
This is an Image of 2 rare California Condors on a ledge over looking the Colorado River near Marble canyon, Arizona. Currently there are only approximately 300 Condors living in the wild. There are approximately 80 or so living in the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry AZ area. Biologists tag these big birds to help keep track of them.
A Navajo Painted Pony near Bitter Springs with snow the dusted Vermilion Cliffs in the background.
This is your view of the Colorado River when walking out on Navajo Bridge.
After launching from the Lee’s Ferry staging area this rafting group is heading down the Colorado river on an epic winter adventure into the Grand Canyon.
Sunrise time at one of 50 campsites available at the Lee’s Ferry campground.
This is a view of the snow dusted Vermilion Cliffs from the Lee’s Ferry campground after a winter storm.
A colorful morning reflection on the Colorado river near the Lee’s Ferry boat launch.
The off color Paria River flowing into the Colorado River provides a vivid contrast.
A roaring campfire at the Lee’s ferry CG with the Colorado river in the background.
A lone power boat heading up the mighty Colorado river from the Lees Ferry Boat Launch. Its not uncommon to see wild or feral horses on this stretch of the river coming down to the banks of the river for water.
More info: Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions of special request for unique content from the Lee's Ferry area and beyond.