Floating the Salt River is such a fun way to cool off in the Arizona heat. The Salt River flows from Saguaro Lake in East Mesa and is a popular spot to spend a summer day. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know before going Salt River tubing!
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Tips for going Salt River Tubing on your own
Table of Contents
- What to bring while Salt River tubing:
- Where to launch your tube on the Salt River
- How long does it take to float the Salt River?
- When is the best time to go Salt River tubing?
- What to expect when going Salt River tubing on your own
- Self-guided kayak tour down the Salt River
What to bring while Salt River tubing:
- River Tubes: Be sure to bring durable tubes, preferably with netting on the bottom for comfort, cup holders for convenience, and handles or a place to tie the tubes together.
- Carabiner clips: Handy for attaching sandals and other items to the tubes.
- Cooler: Bring a plastic (not styrofoam) cooler to fill with plenty of drinks and snacks. Be sure to bring an extra tube with a net bottom to hold the cooler.
- Dry Bag: You will need a dry bag to store your phones, keys, and other personal items. Just be sure to keep it secured on you or the tube so that it doesn’t sink.
- Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: There’s nothing more relaxing than floating down the river with friends while listening to your favorite music.
- Go Pro: Or another waterproof camera to document your adventure.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hat, SPF chapstick, sunglasses.
- Life Jacket: The river is generally pretty mild, but there are a few rapids where people have flipped over and been sucked underwater. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are with kids.
- Paddle: Bring a small oar to help paddle in still water and to help guide you away from tree branches.
- Glow Sticks: For added fun if floating the river at sunset.
- Towels: Leave towels in the car that will be parked at the exit so that you can dry off before heading home.
Where to launch your tube on the Salt River
There are a few options for floating the Salt River.
Many people opt to book a Float Trip. With this option, guests will arrive at the facility located at 9200 North Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215.
A shuttle bus will then take you to the bridge where you will launch your tube. The cost is $21/person and includes the tube rental and shuttle bus service.
Another option, and the option that we prefer, is to bring your own tubes and float the Salt River on your own.
With this option, you will need to drive two separate cars to leave at the launch point and exit point.
There are two points at which you can launch your tube so you’ll need to determine where you want to launch and exit the river.
You’ll then leave one vehicle at the exit and drive the other vehicle to the launch point.
The first point is at the top of the river at the Pebble Beach parking lot located at N Water Users Camp Cir, Mesa, AZ 85207.
The second point is at the Granite Reef parking lot located at the bridge.
The third point is at the Salt River Tubing facility and Goldfield Recreation Area.
I would recommend dropping a vehicle off at the second point at the bridge, and then driving another vehicle to the first point at the top of the river.
You’ll launch at point #1 then float down the river to point #2 where the other vehicle is waiting. You can then take that vehicle back to point #1 to retrieve the other vehicle.
See the map below for each location.
How long does it take to float the Salt River?
I would recommend launching at point #1 on the map.
As you are driving towards Saguaro Lake on Bush Hwy, just before the Saguaro Lake Ranch you’ll see a parking area for water recreation use.
From the parking lot, it is a short walk down to the river where you’ll find the launching area.
From this launch point, it is about a 2-hour float down to point #2 at the bridge.
This portion of the river is so scenic with the dramatic mountains as a backdrop. It is also the shortest leg of the river.
If you choose to launch at the bridge (point #2), plan for about 3 hours to float to point #3. If you want to maximize your time on the river, you can also float from point #1 to point #3 in about 5 hours.
A Tonto Day Pass is required to park. The pass is $8 and can be purchased by machine at the parking lots or at select retailers.
If you choose to book a float trip, a parking pass is not required to park in the facility’s lot.
When is the best time to go Salt River tubing?
We went tubing in August when it was 110 degrees outside and I was surprised at how cold the water was.
Saguaro Lake can get quite warm in the summer, but the current in the Salt River keeps the temperatures cold and refreshing.
With that in mind, May through September is the best time to float the Salt River.
However, do not float the river during monsoon season if there is rain in the forecast. I would also highly recommend avoiding the river on the weekends and holidays.
This is a popular hang-out for college and high school kids, especially on the weekends and holidays. You’ll find an excessive amount of drinking and a minimum amount of clothing.
The heat can be quite brutal in the summer so a sunset float is perfect on a hot summer day. Just be sure to allow enough time to make it back to your car before dark.
What to expect when going Salt River tubing on your own
It is quite possible, and even preferable, 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.
If you are planning to go with a group, you’ll want to bring sections of thin rope to tie all of the tubes together. I would also bring an extra tube to tie in the center and hold the cooler.
(*Update: Visitors are now strongly discouraged from tying tubes together. If one of the tubes flips over in the rapids then someone could easily get trapped under the tubes.)
You will also want to bring plenty of water and snacks and a plastic cooler to secure it all. Don’t bring styrofoam coolers as they tend to float away. As always, properly dispose of your trash and be sure to keep the river clean.
You may also want to bring carabiner clips to attach your sandals to the tubes, it’s easy to lose shoes on the river!
I would also highly recommend a dry bag to keep your phones, keys, and personal items dry and safe. Just be sure to keep the bag securely attached to you at all times. The best way to ruin a fun day is to have your car keys end up at the bottom of the river!
Once you are on the river, it will start out calm and easy. Lay back, relax, crack a can of soda, and enjoy the scenery.
Depending on the current, the water can be still in some sections and you will be barely moving at all. You may want to bring an oar to help paddle when there isn’t a current.
We hopped out at a few points and swam with the tubes just to keep moving.
As you continue down the river, you’ll encounter a few series of short rapids. They are not considered white water rapids, but you do need to use caution.
The rapids are caused by large rocks just under the surface so be sure to lift your bum up out of the tube when going over the rapids or you may get a bruised tailbone!
Try your best to maintain balance on your tube to prevent flipping over. Also, make sure to keep the cooler secured. Many coolers have been flipped over on the rapids and the contents spilled out.
The rapids are a lot of fun, but just use caution and it is recommended to wear a life jacket.
The river can vary from 1-7 feet, but if you are flipped out of your tube and caught in a current then it can be difficult to get back on.
Because of this, it is recommended that kids should be 8 years or older to go Salt River tubing.
As you are floating along, keep your eye out for a fun rope swing attached to a tree on the shore about halfway down from the first launch point.
Also, keep your eye out for the wild horses that call the Salt River home. You are more likely to see the horses if you launch at the bridge.
Whether you are exiting at the bridge or continuing to the Goldfield Recreation Area, just look for shallow calm water to exit from.
There are a few spots where the current is stronger and can make it a little tricky to get out.
Once you are out, pack up then drive to retrieve the other car. Be sure to leave towels in the car that is parked at the exit so that you can dry off before heading home.
And if you’re looking to spend more time at Saguaro Lake, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Saguaro Lake!
Self-guided kayak tour down the Salt River
Another option is a Kayak Tour. With this option, a private shuttle van will take you which eliminates the need for two cars and it is less crowded than the Salt River Tubing shuttle bus.
The kayak is also helpful for paddling through portions of the river where there is not much current, allowing you to see more of the river in the same amount of time.
*Related post: For more recommendations, check out our guide 101 Things to Do with Families in the Phoenix East Valley!
The tour departs from the Saguaro Lake Ranch Resort. Since this is a private launch site, you’ll be able to see one of the most beautiful stretches of the river that is only accessible with this tour.
The tour is self-guided and ends at the Foxtail access point. This point is located about halfway between the bridge access point #2 and the final access point #3 at the Goldfield Recreation Area.
The Foxtail access point is a private ramp that can only be used by those on the tour.
After 2 hours, the shuttle van will meet you here then load up your kayaks and drive you back to your car at the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch.
The cost is $55 per person, which we felt was very reasonable and totally worth it!
Salt River tubing is definitely a summer bucket list activity and I hope this guide has helped you prepare so that you can enjoy your time on the river!
FAQ:
- What are the Salt River tubing rules? No drugs and excessive drinking, no glass bottles, and children under 8 years and 4 feet tall are not allowed to rent tubes or ride the shuttle bus.
- What to bring Salt River tubing? Durable inflatable tubes, water shoes, plastic cooler for drinks and snacks in a separate tube, dry bag for personal items, waterproof Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, life jacket, and towels to have waiting in the car.
- When does the Salt River tubing season begin and end? The Salt River is open year-round, however, the shuttle bus and tube rental season is generally from May-September, depending on weather and water conditions.
- Is Salt River tubing dangerous? The Salt River can be dangerous. There are portions with fast currents where you can easily flip your tubes and eddies that can suck you under the water. Always wear a life jacket and don’t float the river while intoxicated.
- Can you bring your own tube to Salt River tubing? Yes, you can bring your own tube to float the Salt River. You will just need to have a vehicle at both the top and bottom launch sites.
- Is Salt River Tubing OK for kids? Kids must be 8 years old AND over 4 feet tall to ride the shuttle bus and rent tubes at the Salt River Tubing tour company. However, there are no age restrictions if you float the salt river on your own. Even if you float on your own, it is still not recommended for young children as the tubes can flip over on the rapids. Life jackets are highly recommended for all ages. I would also recommend floating the Salt River with kids on a weekday since it’s a bit of a party scene on the weekends.
- How long does it take to tube down the Salt River? 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.
- What are the hours for Salt River tubing? The Salt River is always open to those that want to float on their own. If you are looking to book the shuttle and tube rental, the Salt River Tubing company is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm Friday-Sunday. The last tube rental is at 2 pm and the last shuttle pick up is 6:30 pm.
- How much does Salt River tubing cost? If you choose to float the Salt River with your own tube, you will only need to purchase a Tonto Day Pass for $8. If you would like to rent a tube and book a shuttle, the cost is $21 per person + tax.
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I hope this guide has helped you to know what to expect while tubing on the Salt River. And for more things to do in Mesa, check out our guide 15 Fun Things to do in Mesa with Kids!
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