Salt river tubing how long

Take exit 27 from AZ Parking is free. Also keep in mind, the last tube rental is 1 p. Accepted forms of payment are cash and credit cards. Still have questions? Check out these answers to FAQ. Consider yourself warned. Skip to content. Vaccine Tracker. Monsoon TEP Solar Dashboard.

Weather Alert Email Signup. UA Sports. AZ Weekend. Business Directory. Noon Notebook. TV Schedule. Seeing humans almost every other day floating through the river and being used to that, they are occupied with using the river as a source for their drinks and sometimes, you can catch a glimpse of them running around neighing with their herd.

Swimming in the Salt River is something to be cautious about. There are a few reports of bacteria floating around the river and even one person on Yelp saying someone they know who worked there was infected with MRSA. You should drink lots of water before you start tubing and bottles of water per hour while you are tubing to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion. All non-swimmers, inexperienced swimmers, and all children must wear a life vest. More safety tips for tubing the Salt River can be found here.

Besides the eligibility to bring your own tube to the river, there are a few things you can bring to add to your tubing experience. Firstly, glass containers are not allowed in the Salt River at all. Also, some parts of the river do get shallow, so watch out for that while you have your feet hanging loose below the tube. If you plan on bringing your GoPro to take the best photos and videos during the river, make sure to have a floatable back attached to it in case you drop your GoPro on the water so you have little to no chance of losing it.

Most importantly, bring a positive and fun attitude to your tubing experience! Have fun! You can also sit on a rock in the river to get the feel of the water. Rentals are available daily from 9 a. The rental services is open until 6 p. Bush Highway, Mesa saltrivertubing. If you'd prefer to avoid the crowds, fees and occasional wait times, you can always opt to go Salt River tubing independently. You'll need to bring your own inner tube, of course, but you'll also need to bring two cars — leave one parked at your starting point and the other parked at your ending point — otherwise you might be in for a long walk.

While tubing brings the majority of river guests, there are plenty of people who enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding SUP along the Lower Salt River. The river is perfect for either experienced or first-timer paddlers, since you can just let the river's current gently lead you downstream and enjoy the views. Most kayakers and paddleboarders opt for early morning river rides for several reasons: you can beat the heat, avoid the tubing crowds, and increase your chances of spotting the area's famed wild horses more on that below.

Like tubing, kayaking and paddleboarding along the Lower Salt River can be done independently or with a guide. For those who are looking for something a bit more extreme, Arizona Rafting hosts whitewater rafting tours further north in the Salt River Canyon.

As if the beautiful scenery surrounding the Lower Salt River wasn't enough, one of the most jaw-dropping sights found along an mile stretch of the river are the wild horses — also known as mustangs — who call the river home. The horses roam along the banks where many visitors kayak and tube, and can easily be spotted along your route, depending on the time of day.

Research suggests that the wild horses are descendants of Spanish horses, brought to Arizona in the 17th century by Spanish missionary Father Eusebio Kino. The Tonto National Forest was established in , and the horses had long been living in the area by then. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that there are less than wild horses remaining in Arizona. Though it is not a native species, the wild horses are protected under the Salt River Horse Act, enacted into law in You can spot the wild horses throughout the mile stretch of the Lower Salt River that encompasses the six recreation areas, but historically, the horses are most commonly seen at spots close to Saguaro Lake, including Phon D.

Because the horses are looking to avoid the summer heat and cool off as much as we area, they are most often seen within two to three hours of sunrise and sunset, when the weather is cooler. If you go out for an early morning kayak or float, you'll most likely spot a few along your ride.

Remember, these horses are wild animals. Make sure to be respectful of their space, not to feed them, and if you've brought your dog along, make sure it's leashed and doesn't approach the horses.

Depending on where you start and stop, it takes anywhere from two to six hours to venture down the lower Salt River. You can swim in the Salt River, but be aware that the water is not as clean as your typical swimming pool because of all the folks and animals who use the river daily.