The Colorado River runs 277 miles through the canyon from Lees Ferry to the Grand Wash Cliffs, dropping 2,220 vertical feet. Leaving the Navajo sandstone cliffs of Glen Canyon behind at Lees Ferry, the river quickly begins to cut through the rock layers associated with Grand Canyon.

Less than a mile downstream from Lees Ferry, the Paria River’s entry creates a riffle that’s choppy but too mild to call rapids. When the waters of the Paria carry sediment after a rain or flood, they form swirling patterns as they enter the clear green-blue of the Colorado River waters that have been impounded by Glen Canyon Dam.

About four miles from Lees Ferry, high above the river, Navajo Bridge links the Arizona Strip country to the rest of the state. The historic bridge, completed in 1929, is closed to vehicles, though people can walk across it for great views of rafts passing below. The newer highway bridge was built a few feet to the west. Navajo Bridge is considered by many river runners to be the gateway to Grand Canyon.

The Inner Canyon highlights are described in downriver order—the order you would encounter them on a river run.

• Marble Canyon
• The Roaring Twenties (mile 20)
• South Canyon (mile 31)
• Redwall Cavern (mile 33)
• Nankoweap Ruins Route (mile 53)
• Little Colorado River Confluence (mile 61)
• The Inner Gorge (mile 76)
• Bright Angel Creek (mile 88)
• Phantom Ranch (mile 88)
• The Gem Series and Bass Canyon (mile 98)
• Deer Creek Falls and Havasu Canyon (mile 136)
• Lava Falls (mile 165)
• Diamond Down (mile 226)