Marble Canyon is located 2.5 hours northeast of Grand Canyon Village. Although it is part of Grand Canyon National Park it is not technically part of the Grand Canyon. Marble Canyon starts at Lee's Ferry, which is also the jumping off point for multi-day whitewater rafting trips through the Park. This quiet and picturesque section of Northern Arizona is paralleled by Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and has great recreational opportunities for those who seek solitude.
Visitors will not find the quintessential Grand Canyon Vistas at Marble Canyon, but the scenery is still amazing, and there is a very raw feeling of nature due to the lack of people and infrastructure, and for adventure seekers there is quite a bit to do in this area. Marble Canyon's Rim lies at about 3,600 feet in elevation, half that of the South Rim. This lower elevation leads to scorching temperatures in the summer, but very pleasant weather the rest of the year, including the winter season.
There are three major activities that take place in Marble Canyon. Multi-Day Whitewater Rafting through the Grand Canyon are the most popular, followed by Fly Fishing on the Colorado River. While Rafters cruise down the canyon, fishing guides and other fisherman usually head up river into Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. More adventurous sportsman will hike down one of several side canyons to reach a more remote fishing hole within Marble Canyon. Hikers will also have a great time here with some awesome day hikes and backpacks to the Colorado River, as well as shorter hikes that head inland through some fascinating geology. If you have a 4X4 you can actually drive right out to the rim of the Canyon and set-up camp without another soul in sight.
There are three lodges along Marble Canyon that offer decent accommodations and great food. These are old school lodges that still have character, as well as some characters that run them. There is also a Fly Fishing Outfitter, and a place to gas up for those heading up to the Grand Canyon's North Rim or Southern Utah.
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