Marble Canyon & Backhaul the Colorado River

An unforgettable experience down the Colorado River

One of Roaming Stones’ favorite outdoor ventures is paddling down the Colorado River. On the drive to Lees Ferry, which provides access to the Colorado River (about a 50 minute drive from Page) you’ll cross the Navajo Bridge, one of the few crossings over the Colorado River. An added treat to this adventure is the drive along the spectacular Vermilion Cliffs.

During the cold winter months, when water activities are shut down, it is still worth a drive to Lees Ferry and a walk along the Colorado River (see Hikes including River Trail and Spencer’s Trail).

In the summer months, from Lees Ferry, a back-haul service on a motorboat will haul you upriver so you can then float with the current and kayak or paddle board down the Colorado River, back to where you started at Lees Ferry. The motorboat can take you as far up river as you would like, the farther you go, the longer it takes to paddle down, of course! Typically you are taken just beyond Horseshoe Bend, about a 40 minute boat ride from Lees Ferry.

From this point, it takes about 3 to 5 hours to kayak/paddleboard down to Lees Ferry. Make sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on any spit of sand or river bank you come across on your adventure. This experience is mesmirizing – the jaw-dropping height of the canyons, the refreshing cold swims in the Colorado River and the sounds of life in the depths of the canyons are truly sensational.

Kayak Horseshoe Bend is our preferred company for this excursion – make sure to reserve both the backhaul service (water taxi) and kayak/paddleboards. Their boat captains are fun adventurers as well as super knowledgeable about the area, so make sure to ask lots of questions!

 *Image taken by Roaming Stones