How much does it cost to go down the Salt River?

Salt River Tubing operates under permit of the USDA Forest Service in Tonto National Forest. Salt River Tubing is open 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekends. The cost is $25 per person or tube, which includes tube rental, a shuttle bus ride to and from the parking lot, and parking.



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Salt River Tubing pricing is $21. This price includes parking at the origin point, a tube to float the river on and a shuttle to the launch area and back.

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It takes about 2 hours to float the Salt River from the launch point top of the river down to the bridge. It takes about 3 hours to float from the bridge down to the bottom exit point. If you want to float the Salt River from the top launch point down to the last exit, plan for about 5 hours.

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It is quite possible, and even preferrable, to go Salt River tubing on your own without booking a trip. The trickiest part is just coordinating two vehicles, but once that is sorted you'll have a great time floating on your own.

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Lower Salt River: A surprisingly short drive from downtown Phoenix reaches the Salt River, where runoff from the distant mountains waters the desert. Here you can swim, float, and paddle among huge cacti, towering cliffs, and a herd of wild horses.

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Fun - Wet - and Mildly Dangerous. On a hot summer day - nothing beats drifting down the salt - BUT there are safety concerns. Drownings are all too common here - dure mainly to the exposed root structure along the shore. People often lash the innertubes together, and can't manuver out of the dangerous areas.

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Marshmallows get very sticky when wet, making them the perfect ammunition to lob at other tubers for some lighthearted fun. They also float, so you can pick up discarded ammo and reuse it as you travel down the river.

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One of my favorite annual trips to lead is a moonlight paddle down the Lower Salt River east of Phoenix. The Salt River is a great little trip either early in the morning, or long after the tubers have gone home—it's serene, has some nice scenery, is convenient to the metro Phoenix area, and offers easy logistics.

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Recreation Permits are required to utilize the Tribal lands and waters of those portions of the Salt River Canyon which are within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. These permits are required 365 days a year. Permits may be obtained at the Salt River Trading Post near the Highway 60 Bridge.

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Explore the Salt River Wilderness From a Raft We offer trips up to five days long. Many Phoenix and Tucson residents join us each spring on our most popular trip—a full-day rafting adventure starting near the Highway 60 bridge between Globe and Show Low, Arizona.

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Salt River Tubing is set to open for 2023. Here's a guide to the iconic Arizona activity. One of Arizona's staple summer activities is back in action. Salt River Tubing in east Mesa opened for the 2023 season on Saturday, April 29.

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The river was used for irrigation by the pre-Columbian Hohokam culture, by later Native Americans, and by early Euro-American settlers in the 19th century. It currently provides a major source of irrigation and drinking water for Phoenix and surrounding communities through the Salt River Project.

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Also bring some rope to tie the chest to the tube. Also, bring some kind of lunch. Sandwiches and snacks work the best. If you bring beer or soda (you MUST bring one or the other or water!) be sure to bring CANS ONLY glass is not allowed on the river.

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here at the Salt River. We are excited to be open again! The water temperature stays at 68°F all year round!

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To go tubing on the Salt River, rent your tube online — this rental will include a tube and transportation to and from the river! The Salt River is one of the most popular spots for tubing in Arizona, so you'll be floating alongside other groups of tubers.

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As leaves fall off and the wind blows, salt is dispersed around the surrounding land. Since the salt river is lined by Tamarisk, much of that salt falls into the water, making it salty.

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