Pearce Ferry Rapid Trail

This is a 1.5-mile out-and-back on a mostly flat, sandy, unmarked track to a perch above Pearce Ferry Rapid. Allow about 45 minutes. Follow the footpath from across Pearce Ferry Road, then return the same way. It is a small side walk, best if you are already making the drive to Pearce Ferry.

The view is of whitewater cutting through broad sediment banks, with canyon ridges beyond. Stay at the overlook: the Colorado River is swift, and the take-out and re-rigging shoreline is restricted to permitted rafting operations. Do not descend to the water or wander into the operating area. The route is exposed to desert heat; carry drinking water.

Pearce Ferry once sat at the edge of Lake Mead. As the reservoir fell, the Colorado River cut into the exposed lake sediment and formed this rapid. The riverbed has shifted over time, so older descriptions of its exact ledges and drops are only snapshots of a changing channel.

The footpath begins across the road from the Pearce Ferry ramp area, but public parking for hikers is not clearly identified. The ramp is closed to public launches, so confirm where to park before driving out. Dogs are allowed on park hiking trails on a leash no longer than six feet. No drinking water or restrooms were confirmed at the route; bring what you need.