Arizona · Hiking

Spencer Trail

Spencer TrailPhoto: Capt' Gorgeous, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Feb–May, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Spencer Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It doesn't name Spencer Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

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 Creek Canyon, 30 miles away. Pack mules carried several loads of coal down the trail later that year. The trail climbs over 1500 feet in only a mile. If you choose to go up the Spencer Trail instead of continuing on the Historic River Trail, be prepared. Spencer Trail Information: Distance: 4.4 miles (7 km) round-trip Difficult A short but strenuous hike with amazing panoramic views of the Colorado River and the City of Page, this rocky climb up switchbacks ascends out of the canyon surrounding Lees Ferry to the top of the Paria Plateau. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day, there is no shade. Best times of year to hike are Spring and Fall. Bring plenty of water with you. 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. Divert from River Trail roughly .36 miles (.58 km) at posted junction. No overnight parking.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Spencer Trail

    Best months: February–May and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      48° / 30°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 34°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 42°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 49°

      3 wet

    5. May

      85° / 58°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      98° / 68°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      102° / 76°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      99° / 73°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      89° / 63°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      76° / 51°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 39°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 31°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lees Ferry, AZ, 1.2 mi away at 3,210 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Historic District River TrailPhoto: Capt' Gorgeous, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Historic District River Trail

Next door

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,…

Spencer TrailPhoto: Capt' Gorgeous, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Spencer Trail

Next door

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Lees Ferry Paria TrailPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Secret Beach TrailPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Jackass Canyon RoutePhoto: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Cathedral WashPhoto: Nate Loper • #ArizonaGuide ️, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Wildcat Tank PathPhoto: Stephen Edmonds, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wildcat Tank Path

~15 min drive

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