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Historic District River Trail
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Arizona
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What we do know
Inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
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Historic District River Trail
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Throughout the 1800 and 1900s, Lees Ferry was backdrop to a mix of Westward expansion dreams and failed schemes. Because of its strategic location along the Colorado River, unlikely groups overlapped on these shores. Miners, traders, U.S. government scientist, Church elders, and the occasional outlaw shared the trials of frontier life here. Walk the River Trail to glimpse the myriad people and purposes that left a mark on Lees Ferry. Great Expectations Prospector Charles H. Spencer made an outsized impact on Lees Ferry in his short time here. A better salesman than miner, Spencer never succeeded in extracting minerals the way he succeeded in exciting investors. When he staked his claim at Lees Ferry, financial investors and hardworking miners when along for the ride, but never struck it rich with Charlie. Historic District River Trail Information: Distance: 2 miles ( 3.2 km) round-trip Easy The self-guided walking tour follows the trail along the river front of Lees Ferry. Starting near the gravel parking lot by the boat ramp, walk alongside old stone buildings that line the once busy river crossing area. Mix of gravel to rocky to sandy terrain with no shade. Practice caution during extreme heat and avoid hiking during the warmest part of the day. Bring plenty of water. Do not remove any natural or cultural objects from the park including fossils, rocks, animals, plants and artifacts. Trailhead: Follow the Lees Ferry access road 5.8 miles (9.3 km) to the boat launch. A gravel parking lot at the end of the paved area will give you access to the start of the historic district. No overnight parking.
Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River
~7 min drive
A social media darling, Horseshoe Bend has become one of the most recognized and visited places in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The parking lot and trailhead is located off US Highway 89, approximately 5 miles (8 km) south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Changes a…
Beehives Trailhead
~12 min drive
Distance Varies Easy Explore the area across from the Wahweap Entrance road for a self-guided adventure through slickrock sand formations. Watch your step, fragile rock shelves underfoot. Trailhead: Parking to explore this area is reached near the Beehives Campground. From U…
Spencer Trail
~0 min drive
3.9 mi · Easy
Spencer Trail
~0 min drive
Rough mule trail for hauling Charles G. Spencer’s gold mining supplies. Built 1910 Spencer’s mining machinery needed fuel. As the rest of the miners hauled equipment to Lees Ferry, two men spend the fall of 1910 building a trail up this sheer cliff to a coalmine at Warm Cree…
Cathedral Wash
~6 min drive
3.1 mi · Easy
BLM Trail near Ferry Swale Canyon
~9 min drive
4.5 mi · Moderate
Dam Overlook Trailhead
~12 min drive
Distance: 940 feet (286 m) Easy This very short walk takes you to a viewpoint on the canyon rim high above the Colorado River. It affords an unparalleled view of the river, the canyon, and Glen Canyon Dam. This scenic view provides spectacular vistas of the Colorado River as…
Rimview Trail
~13 min drive
10 mi · Hard
Hanging Garden Trailhead
~13 min drive
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip Easy to Moderate This hike leads you to a luxuriant Hanging Garden on a mesa high above Lake Powell. Securely hidden by Jurassic Navajo sandstone, this seep spring quickly takes hostage every drop of rainwater it can absorb. Slowly it libe…
Stud Horse Trailhead
~17 min drive
Distance: Varies Easy/Moderate Build your own adventure when exploring the 6.5 mi (10.4 km) network of trails. Explore an area with large hoodoos scattered throughout and distance views of Lake Powell and Skylight Arch. Trailhead: Take Highway 89 north 7.6 mi (12.2 km) past…
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