Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Trails 980 ft 0.25 mi moderate Unknown Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail is a 0.25-mile moderate path featuring historic petroglyphs, black bears, and five mammal species. Exceptionally secluded with modest scenic appeal, this cultural-heritage trail sits in an arid climate averaging 60°F with minimal rainfall. Spring and fall are ideal.

What to Pack for Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.

Between the Shrubland terrain and bear activity, your pack for Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail needs a few specific items.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — Many backcountry areas require approved bear canisters; an improperly stored food bag can result in fines and lost supplies.
Bear spray — A 30-foot spray cone gives you a critical buffer zone during a charge, without requiring precise aim under extreme stress.
Bear bell — Bears typically avoid humans when given advance warning; the steady jingle of a bear bell lets them move away before you arrive.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — A base layer, insulating mid-layer, and wind shell cover the full range of temperatures you might encounter in a single day.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

The Shrubland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, when conditions favor fishing and the weather cooperates.

With a photography score of 65/100, Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
kayaking — Kayaking offers close-up views of shoreline wildlife and scenery.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
running — Trail running combines endurance with changing terrain and natural views.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Shrubland — Dense shrubs and brush dominate this terrain, frequently forming thick thickets across rolling hills or dry slopes.

Wildlife Safety at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.

Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail carries a danger score of 50/10, driven primarily by bears.

Danger rating: 50/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Flood zone
Remote (206mi from city)

UV risk: moderate (Mid latitude (37N))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear inhabit the forests around Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, foraging for berries, insects, and nuts.

Black Bear

Color varies widely from jet black to cinnamon brown, and occasionally blond, sometimes with a pale chest patch.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder are present in the Shrubland habitat around Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail.

Western Diamondback

Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

The Shrubland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

Biodiversity at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail is shaped by the Shrubland terrain and Continental climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.

Trees (2)

Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Needles grow in bundles of three and cluster toward branch tips.
Gambel Oak — The bark is gray and furrowed, while acorns develop singly or in small clusters.

Wildflowers (1)

Stansbury's Cliffrose — Creamy white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.

Shrubs (2)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — A thorny shrub with silvery round leaves and small yellow flowers.
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils.

Other Plants (5)

Whipple Cholla
Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Utah Juniper
Plains Pricklypear

Mammals (5)

Abert's Squirrel — White underside and bushy tail edged in white.
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter.
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Two bold stripes run along the back but none on the face.
Pronghorn — Both sexes have short, curved horns with a forward prong.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — White underside and underside of tail.

Birds (10)

Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries
Horned Lark — Small black feather tufts
California Condor — White wing patches
Bald Eagle — Dark brown juvenile without white head
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Gray back

Reptiles (9)

Desert Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue patches on the underside.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly.
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings.

Insects (7)

Convergent Lady Beetle
Hunt's Bumble Bee
Pandora Pinemoth
Anicia Checkerspot
Painted Lady

Nature Bingo at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

California Condor (bird)
Abert's Squirrel (mammal)
Desert Spiny Lizard (reptile)
Whipple Cholla (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA Climate & Sun

Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.

Temperature and precipitation data for Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail help narrow down the ideal visit window.

Climate type: Continental

Annual avg temp: 60.4°F

Annual precipitation: 6.9 in

With an average annual temperature of 60.4°F and 6.9 inches of precipitation, Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 85°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct.

Winter 38°

0.7"

Spring 59°

0.4"

Summer 85°

0.7"

Fall 61°

0.9"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	38°F	0.7 in
Feb	43°F	0.6 in
Mar	51°F	0.5 in
Apr	59°F	0.4 in
May	68°F	0.4 in
Jun	79°F	0.1 in
Jul	85°F	0.7 in
Aug	82°F	1.0 in
Sep	74°F	0.7 in
Oct	61°F	0.9 in
Nov	47°F	0.4 in
Dec	37°F	0.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.7 hours in summer — a difference of 5 hours.

Summer: 5:05 AM – 7:46 PM

Winter: 7:31 AM – 5:10 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:31 AM, Sunset 5:10 PM Golden hour from 4:30 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:05 AM, Sunset 7:46 PM Golden hour from 7:07 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:38 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:07 AM, Sunset 6:35 PM Golden hour from 6:01 PM

Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA Trip Planning & Access

With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.

At 206 miles from Las Vegas, Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail is a longer road trip for most visitors.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (206 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $51.62 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 166.8 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: not_recommended (35/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.

Don't limit your trip to just Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail — the surrounding area has 14 more places to discover.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.

Night falls differently here — the Bortle 1 rating means Excellent dark-sky site visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Look for Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.

Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north.
Cassiopeia — This constellation represents a mythological queen and lies opposite the Big Dipper across Polaris.
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

Different seasons reveal different sides of Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail.

Nature at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 3149ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA

This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.

The cultural landscape of Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail reflects the long presence of Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) on this land.

Territories

Languages

2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Southern Paiute, Diné Bizaad.

Data from Native Land Digital

Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Chinle Formation
Formation: Chinle Formation
Lithology: Major:{mudstone}, Minor:{sandstone,conglomerate}
Age: Late Triassic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 18
Unique Species: 14
Oldest: 283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites: 34
Richness: High
Minerals Found: Uranium, Copper, Silver, Bentonite, Molybdenum, Lead, Zinc, Iron

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 120°F (1997-07-26)
Record Low: -11°F (1963-01-13)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 2
Largest Fire: Marble Cyn (553.9 acres)
Most Recent: 2005
Fire Risk: Low

Watershed

Watershed: Cathedral Wash-Colorado River
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0.347%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 4 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 8/100

Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail, Glen Canyon NRA Safety & Conditions

For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.

Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Lees Ferry River Petroglyphs Trail.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A)

Nearest weather station: PAGE 0.2 N, AZ US (4.72 mi)