Offering Its Passengers A Unique And Breath-Taking Canyon Lake Tour That Leaves All Visitors Speechless
The Dolly Steamboat is determined to carry on the tradition of tour boats on Arizona's desert lakes, which all started on the Canyon Lake in 1925. With a classic design and knowledgeable staff, the Dolly Steamboat offers its passengers a unique and breath-taking tour of the Grand Canyon that leaves visitors speechless.
“You can go to the Grand Canyon and it's beautiful, but it's kind of expected,” explained Jan Johnson, office manager. “At Canyon Lake, the views are just as stunning, but not quite as expected. To view the magnificent cliffs from the deck of the Dolly Steamboat, in the middle of the desert... Seeing bighorn sheep drinking from the lake... Canyon Lake is one of those places that gets into your soul.”
Johnson has been going to Canyon Lake since she was little and she said she hopes to keep going for years to come. And she hopes to do it from the deck of the Dolly Steamboat, an experience she has “never once gotten tired of.” For Johnson – and others who have had the pleasure of boarding the boat – each cruise brings something different, whether it's an amazing experience with customers and friends, or seeing a bald eagle.
“We don't have to sell the tours,” she said. “The beauty does it for us. To be a part of someone's first experience in the Sonoran Desert, out on Canyon Lake... It's very fulfilling.We have visitors worldwide and they are always amazed by the beauty. I love showing off a part of Arizona that few know about.”
The tradition of touring these stunning views started on April 23, 1925, when George Moody filed an application for a stage line to run from Phoenix to Mormon Flat Lake (Canyon Lake). He also organized Arizona Tours, Inc, said Johnson, and laughed the first commercial tour boat, the Geronimo, in October of that year.
The current owners – the Grimh family - purchased the Dolly Steamboat from Paul and Dolly Kennedy, who had began operating the marina and campground at Canyon Lake in the fall of 1979. In 1982, the Kennedy's started operating a 15 passenger pontoon boat and Canyon Lake Tours. From there, the dream of constructing the Dolly came alive. But surprisingly, Dolly – who the boat was named after - didn't think any of it was a good idea.
“We were on the brink of financial disaster and he wanted to build a tour boat,” she said. “He was a determined Irishman. I didn’t think it was a good idea to build a boat in the desert.”
Fortunately, the business proved successful, with the 48-passenger tours almost always sold out. After a few years the Kennedy's realized they didn't have the resources to expand the operation as needed, so they sold it to Roger Grimh, one of their devoted passengers.
The first thing Roger did upon purchasing the Dolly was to expand the front and rear decks and lengthen the top deck. A side paddlewheel was also added. Roger, now deceased, is quoted as saying: “We moved the existing 50-passenger vessel to the parking lot and went to work on her.”
The boat became his full time focus and passion. Both his son and daughter went to work with him and have since taken over all operations. Cindi manages the office while Jeff manages the boat. And so far, the business has remained successful, with the Dolly Steamboat tours as desirable and stunning as ever.
Just as passionate as their father, the siblings have expanded and remodeled the Dolly Steamboat many times since the original purchase. According to Johnson, the last major remodel was done in 2007, when they enclosed a portion of the top deck, added doors upstairs and updated all of the windows. This design was the “brain child” of Jeff, approved by an architectural firm and the United States Coast Guard.
“We are always updating, painting, changing out flooring or whatever needs done to keep her in great condition,” said Johnson. “Every seat is next to a window so that each passenger is allowed an unobstructed view of the gorgeous scenery.”
The old-timey design of the Dolly Steamboat and the natural surroundings it brings its passengers through provides guests with a “step back in time,” said Johnson. “You can view the majestic desert big horn sheep, bald eagles and a host of other wildlife, water fowl and birds... The captain recounts legends and lore of the mysterious Superstition Mountains... Guests are free to move about, ask questions and mingle with the crew.”
It's the intimate and authentic interactions upon the Dolly Steamboat that have kept Johnson excited to work for the company for the past 20 years. She started out as a crew member in February of 1997 and soon became captain, having done everything from painting and engine maintenance to working in the office as the manager.
So what brought her aboard 20 years ago? Johnson had known the Grimh family from a previous job she'd had. Roger had given her and a group of her friends tickets to go on the Dolly and she loved it. When she heard there was a job opening a few years later she “jumped at the chance.”
She said: “The Dolly is a small company, but it touches many lives. The owners, Jeff and Cindi, are truly admirable people, who care about their staff and their customers. They inspire those around them to be better. They both strive to make the Dolly a place that people want to visit, and a work environment that’s fun and genuine.”
Of course, another “major bonus” of working at the Dolly Steamboat is Canyon Lake and the customers. Johnson loves meeting all of the new people and hearing about their experiences as much as she loves seeing the families who come out every year, a family tradition. The Dolly Steamboat has passengers that range from six months old to 104 years old, an experience that everyone of all ages and abilities can enjoy. It's a great way for family and friends to not only spend time together, but see something they may never have imagined existed.
“One of the most memorable times on the boat was during a dinner cruise,” recalled Johnson. “The lake was calm and looked like glass. Stars were out in full force. We rounded a bend in the river just as the harvest moon came up over the cliffs. That alone was beautiful, but then a bighorn sheep stepped up and was silhouetted against the moon. It was amazing. Another time was a wedding I attended as a guest. Just as the bride and groom were saying there vowels, a bighorn showed up on the horizon just over their shoulders. Even they paused to take in their surroundings. Pretty cool stuff...”
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Mesa/ Apache Junction KOA, where giant saguaro cacti rise from the Sonoran Desert floor against a backdrop of craggy granite ramparts. With a heated pool, a hot tub, assorted games and fine hospitality.