Lee's Ferry has a long and storied history. For many years it was the one of the very few ways to cross the Colorado River Canyon system dividing Utah from Arizona. The ferry boat location was just about where I was standing to take the above picture. The ferry crossed the river just to the left of the picture. Traces of the old wagon road are clearly visible on the opposite side of the river, leading towards the slanted sandstone ridge, barely visible, in the middle of the picture, called Lee's Backbone. The water tower in the distance supplies some government offices, the boat launching platform area and Lonely Dell, the historic residence of the ferrymen and women.
Lee's Ferry is presently more popularly known for three things, tours up the canyon, river raft trips down the canyon through the Grand Canyon and trout fishing. Just below the boat launch ramp, there is a small rapid, the first that boaters down the canyon confront on their whitewater rafting trips. Oh, and Lee's Ferry is the end of the trail for hikers all the way through the Pariah Canyon from White House in Utah, some 48 miles away by foot.
We find it a convenient stopping place to camp on our way driving to Utah. It is pretty pricey for a campground when you also have to pay the entry fee into the Recreation Area, but with a Golden Age Passport, entry is free and the campground is half price. If you don't mind bugs and snakes it is a pretty nice place to camp.
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