Marble Canyon
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Beginning of the Grand Canyon
Marble Canyon Arizona is a scenic Colorado River destination near Page, Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, and the beginning of the Grand Canyon. Known for dramatic canyon walls, cold clear river water, trout fishing, rafting, boating, photography, and sweeping Northern Arizona scenery, Marble Canyon is a popular stop for travelers exploring the Grand Canyon region, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, and the Vermilion Cliffs area.
Marble Canyon, named for its colorful rocks and cliff walls is just below Glen Canyon Dam and extends from this area of the Colorado River to the confluence with the Little Colorado River. Along with Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon at its eastern end.
Colorado River Through Marble Canyon. © Silver Spur ToursWhy Visit Marble Canyon
Visitors come to Marble Canyon for its striking Colorado River scenery, peaceful desert atmosphere, historic river access, excellent fishing near Lees Ferry, and easy access to some of Northern Arizona’s most memorable landmarks. Whether you are planning a fishing trip, river launch, scenic drive, photography stop, or Grand Canyon-area road trip, Marble Canyon offers a quieter and more rugged experience than many busier Arizona destinations.
Things To Do & See Around Marble Canyon
- Lees Ferry: Visit the historic Colorado River crossing and popular launch point for Grand Canyon river trips.
- Navajo Bridge: Walk across the pedestrian bridge for dramatic views of the Colorado River far below.
- Colorado River Views: Enjoy scenic overlooks, photography stops, and river access near Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry.
- Vermilion Cliffs: Take in the colorful cliffs and desert scenery surrounding the Marble Canyon area.
- Historic Sites: Explore the history of Lees Ferry, early river crossings, and settlement along the Colorado River.
- Scenic Drives: Drive U.S. 89A through dramatic Northern Arizona landscapes between Page, Bitter Springs, and Marble Canyon.
- Photography: Capture canyon walls, river bends, desert light, Navajo Bridge, and Colorado River scenery.
- Nearby Page Attractions: Combine Marble Canyon with Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and Page Arizona.
The cool waters of the Colorado River offer a stunning contrast to the ancient rock walls that rise to form the majestic Marble Canyon, a prelude to what will give way to the Grand Canyon downstream. A veritable southwestern paradise, Marble Canyon is a sightseer's delight. Located just beyond Lees Ferry along the river, Marble Canyon is a gorgeous gateway to one of the most extraordinary places on earth.
Fishing At Marble Canyon
- Lees Ferry Trout Fishing: The Colorado River near Lees Ferry is well known for rainbow trout fishing.
- Cold Clear Water: Water released from Glen Canyon Dam creates cool river conditions that support trout habitat.
- Wading Areas: Anglers can find shoreline and wading access near designated river areas.
- Guide Services: Fishing guides and outfitters operate in the Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon area.
- Arizona Fishing License: A valid Arizona fishing license and current regulations are required.
Boating At Marble Canyon
- Lees Ferry Launch Area: Lees Ferry is the main river access point for boating and rafting trips into Marble Canyon and Grand Canyon.
- Rafting Trips: Marble Canyon is a major starting area for Colorado River rafting adventures.
- Motorized River Access: Some boating access is available in the Lees Ferry area, depending on river regulations and trip type.
- Scenic Float Trips: Calm-water and guided river experiences may be available upstream or near the Glen Canyon area.
- Cold Water Safety: The Colorado River can be very cold, so boaters should prepare with proper safety gear.
Best Times To Visit Marble Canyon
- Spring: A good season for fishing, scenic drives, photography, and comfortable desert temperatures.
- Summer: Popular for river trips, though daytime heat can be intense and visitors should carry plenty of water.
- Fall: One of the best times to visit, with cooler weather, good fishing conditions, and excellent canyon photography.
- Winter: A quieter season with fewer visitors, crisp air, and mild daytime conditions compared to higher elevation areas.
Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon
Lees Ferry is a common launching point for river runners starting their journey through the Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon is also well-known for the Navajo Bridge, where US Highway 89A crosses the Colorado River.
Most river tours of Grand Canyon National Park begin at Lees Ferry, a site on the river that boasts some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the country. About forty-two miles from the town of Page, Arizona, Lees Ferry is named for its notorious settler, John D. Lee, who established a ferry at the site in the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lee was later executed for his participation in the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, but the site still bears his name. The Ferry was shut down in the 1920s when the elegant steel span of the Navajo Bridge replaced it providing a breathtaking view of the canyon below.
Marble Canyon Travel Tips
- Bring Water: Desert conditions can be dry and exposed, especially during warm weather.
- Check River Conditions: River flows, launch rules, and fishing regulations can change.
- Plan Fuel Stops: Services are limited between Page, Marble Canyon, Lees Ferry, and surrounding highways.
- Use Sun Protection: Shade can be limited near overlooks, river access points, and desert trails.
- Allow Extra Time: Nearby attractions such as Navajo Bridge, Lees Ferry, and Vermilion Cliffs are worth exploring slowly.
Exploring the Canyon
The Colorado River near Lees Ferry is relatively calm making for peaceful rafting trips into Marble Canyon and superb trout fishing. Rafting through Marble Canyon is an unsurpassed way to glimpse the ancient canyon walls that give way to mesmerizing site after site. The water is quite cold despite the fact that is traverses desert lands, but the azure sky and Jurassic cliff walls are as peaceful as any place in the southwest.
Because the river journeys through Marble Canyon are calm, there is much to behold -from gentle water falls that spray through rock wall crevices to the unbelievable balancing rocks that seem to form stone images in thin air. There are many sites within the canyon that offer clues to past cultures that once made their home in the area-pictographs of people and animals that seem to tell their story over great leaps of time.
Sometimes travelers forget to mark this canyon expanse due to its proximity to the Grand Canyon, but its colorful rock walls are noteworthy in themselves and offer painted vistas that will captivate photographers and sightseers alike. The nearby Marble Canyon Lodge is a great place to stay, or be sure to book a tour from Lees Ferry into the Canyon for a journey that will not disappoint!
Getting There
Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry is about a 2 hour drive from Flagstaff, Arizona. Travel north from Flagstaff on US 89 to Bitter Springs and then turn left onto US 89A and continue to Marble Canyon. Scenic Airways has flights into Page, Arizona which is nearby Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry. Contact Marble Canyon Lodge for shuttle service to and from Page. Rental cars are available in Page.
Marble Canyon Map
Where To Stay
Hotels in Page, AZ are nearest to both Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry. Flagstaff AZ hotels about a 2 hour drive south on US 89. There are three lodges in the Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry locations including Marble Canyon Lodge, Cliff Dweller's Lodge and Lees Ferry Lodge at Vermillion Cliffs.
FAQ
Where is Marble Canyon Arizona?
Marble Canyon is located in Northern Arizona near Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, Page, Glen Canyon, and the beginning of the Grand Canyon.
Is Marble Canyon worth visiting?
Yes. Marble Canyon is worth visiting for Colorado River scenery, trout fishing, rafting access, Navajo Bridge, Lees Ferry history, photography, and dramatic canyon views.
What is Marble Canyon known for?
Marble Canyon is known for the Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, trout fishing, rafting launches, red canyon walls, and its location near the beginning of the Grand Canyon.
Can you fish at Marble Canyon?
Yes. The Lees Ferry area near Marble Canyon is well known for Colorado River trout fishing, especially rainbow trout.
Can you boat at Marble Canyon?
Yes. Lees Ferry is the primary Colorado River access point for boating and rafting trips into Marble Canyon and the Grand Canyon.
How far is Marble Canyon from Page Arizona?
Marble Canyon is about 40 to 45 miles southwest of Page, Arizona, depending on the route and destination within the area.
What are the best things to see near Marble Canyon?
Popular nearby sights include Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, the Colorado River, Vermilion Cliffs, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, and Page Arizona attractions.
When is the best time to visit Marble Canyon?
Spring and fall are often the best times to visit because temperatures are more comfortable for sightseeing, fishing, photography, and river activities.
