The Cliff Dwellers Lodge is an easy-to-access roadside attraction with an exciting story. You can find it off Highway 89A in Marble Canyon near the entrance to Lee’s Ferry. You will see massive boulders all around, and then you will see a house-like structure made out of a boulder and other small rocks.
Cliff Dwellers is a fun place to take a picture, and there are usually pottery and jewelry stands nearby if you’re looking for souvenirs. Most people spend 5-20 minutes checking the area out.
The Story Behind Cliff Dwellers Lodge
When I first heard about Cliff Dwellers Lodge, I assumed there were native cliff dwellings or ancient ruins associated with the place, but that’s not the story.
In 1920, Blanche Russell, a former dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies in New York, and her husband Bill Russell came to Arizona for health reasons. They had yet to learn where they would live or what they would do way out west. The couple’s car broke down on Highway 89A. They spent the night in their car, and when they woke up the following day and saw the sun shining across the desert, they knew it was the place. So they built a small trading post out of rocks next to a fallen boulder; the rest is history. Eventually, they made the Cliff Dwellers Lodge a more significant and legitimate establishment, but the original structure remains today.
The name Cliff Dwellers came from the cowboys who drove their cattle on the AZ Strip. The cowboys called the Russell homestead “Cliff Dwellers” because of its proximity to the Vermilion Cliffs.
Hiking
You can hike around Cliff Dwellers and get great views of the Vermillion Cliffs. There are also a lot of great trails in the area.
Some great trails to consider in the Vermillion Cliffs area are:
- Cathedral Wash
- Spencer’s Trail
- Horseshoe Bend
- Sun Valley Mine
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Always remember to do your part to keep the Cliff Dwellers beautiful by packing in everything you pack out and not changing the landscape. Remember to respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it, and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the trails and discovering the area’s hidden treasures!