Glen Canyon NRA--Lonely Dell Ranch

Tips for Birding

In-depth information is found on the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area webpage.

About this Location

The Lonely Dell Ranch is located at Lees Ferry in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, in Northern Arizona. Its location is remote in terms of there not being any nearby cities, but many smaller communities are within a short driving distance. Lee’s Ferry itself is a popular destination to launch boats into the Colorado River and for Grand Canyon boating adventures. Lee’s Ferry is also the endpoint for anyone hiking straight through the Paria River Canyon.

This historic ranch, near the mouth of the Paria River, was home to the families who operated Lees Ferry. The place was so isolated that the families working at the crossing needed to be self-sufficient, growing food for themselves and their animals. Hard labor changed the barren desert into a green oasis. The main ranch buildings are about 700 feet (213 m) up the dirt road from the parking area.  There are picnic tables and shade trees at the ranch. Take drinking water with you.

Lonely Dell Orchard

Walk among the fruit trees in the orchard and search for a ripe snack. Collection of fruit at Lonely Dell Ranch Orchard is permitted for personal consumption only and not for purposes of sale or exchange. Fruit collected at Lonely Dell Ranch Orchard shall not exceed 5 gallons per person per day.

About Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

See all hotspots at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon has been home to people for thousands of years. Archaic and prehistoric Indian cultures roamed and lived in the canyons. Later, a vast panorama of explorers, miners, ranchers, historic Indian tribes, and others left their mark here. In more recent times, a few hardy homesteaders, river runners, and uranium miners lived, worked, or played among the canyons until they were filled by the waters of Lake Powell.

Today, Glen Canyon still provides the opportunity for modern-day explorers to seek their own adventures, whether it be on the water or in the backcountry. Many of the stories of Glen Canyon are the stories of people.

Notable Trails

The complete self-guided walking tour of the orchard, log cabins, stone ranch house, and pioneer cemetery is about a 1-mile (1.6-km) round trip.

Content from Official Website and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Official Website