Salt River Tubing

If you're in the Phoenix area, the key route is the 202 East (It's a loop now, but this is in Mesa).

From the North, take the 101 or 51 south to the 202 E

From the South, take the 202 Loop to Mesa

From the West, take the I-10 east to the 202 E

From Apache Junction and points East, get on the 60 to the 202 and go North (202 West)

Once on the 202, get off at Power Rd. in Mesa and go 7 miles north.

As you go north, Power will become Bush Hwy.

When you get to the four way stop, it will be on your left on the NW corner.

The Essentials
You don't need to bring a tube, since you can rent one at the facility.
$15 will get you a tube all day, and includes the shuttle to get you to the various jumping off points. $12 will get you all day shuttle trips if you don't rent a tube.

They take CASH ONLY, and you need a VALID driver's license to rent tubes (although you can rent 5 tubes per ID), so bring cash and your ID.

Lost tubes will cost you $30, so don't lose them (or bring extra cash).

They discourage bringing Styrofoam coolers because they tend to get trashed and left behind, contributing to litter. Bring a sturdy plastic cooler that can be lashed to a tube. I recommend bringing your own tube for this purpose. Find out which tube best fits your cooler and invest in one. Bring an air pump for your cooler tube, and for any tubes you bring yourself. Invest in a patch kit for your tubes if they spring a leak.

The Salt River is in a national forest park, and should be treated as such. As a result, if you bring food stuffs that will make trash, then bring trash bags, or be able to put all your trash in the cooler. Since coolers can (and might) tip over, you might lose your trash, so please bring a trash bag. If you're thinking ahead, you can bring a separate bag for recyclables.

NO GLASS is permitted at the Salt River and employees will check. Bring plastic bottles and aluminum cans when possible, and if you want to bring something that normally comes in glass, transfer it to another container before you go. Glass is outlawed in the park and on the river and will be confiscated.

Fill your cooler with plenty of water, and although beer, wine and booze is frowned upon, everyone brings it anyway. Be cool about it. Don't forget the water because you will get hot and dehydrated. Pack sandwiches and whatnot in ice to keep them cool, and be sure to clean up wrappers. Arizona charges as much as $2500 fines for littering, and as a national park, it is patrolled by park rangers and Salt River Recreation employees. Clean up after yourself.

Clothing and Comfort

Wear whatever you'd wear to the pool. You'll be getting a lot of sun so dress accordingly. Bring a shirt to throw on when the sun is getting to be too much. Remember that you are going to get wet, and some people complain about the river's cleanliness so wear things you don't mind getting dirty.

Comfortable shoes are recommended including either water shoes or old sneakers. You'll get better traction on the rocky river bottom if you need to stand up, and you will avoid damage from the occasional broken glass (just because you aren't supposed to bring it doesn't mean it doesn't get up there) or sharp rock. A lot of people wear flip flops, but they don't protect your feet as well, and are prone to falling off.

Bring a hat that will cover your head effectively to keep the sun off your crown and forehead, and if you burn badly, a wider brimmed hat for your neck and ears.

BRING SUNSCREEN - This can't be emphasized enough. Bring it, slather it on, and reapply frequently. You will get wet and may have to reapply it to keep your screen up. You're basically floating on your back or front for hours at a time and you will bake. Bring the right sunscreen for your skin and use it.

Also, bring an extra towel to drape over your tube. Most inner tubes and the rental tubes are black and gather heat quickly. The best thing to do is bring a light colored beach towel, drape it over your tube, wet it down and jump on. If it's big enough and you lay it out right, you'll have a pocket to sit in which can also hold your gear, but be careful, stuff can fall out. Best to put things in pockets, your cooler, or tie them to your tube. An identifiable towel cover will also help you track down your tube in a group if you hit the beach or fall off.

There are 3 different points on the Salt River and where you get off the bus determines how long each trip will be.

The Salt River runs east to west, from point 1, the furthest away, to point 4, which is a short walk back to the parking lot and the rental shed.

There really isn't a point 3 anymore. You can get off there, but the bus won't pick you up there, and it's a looong walk back to the parking lot. There also used to be a point 5, but you aren't permitted to go there. (I suppose you can, the river won't stop just because you want to get out, but they won't come to bus you back.

Point 2 is characterized by the bridge which allows the bus route to cross the river.

Start Point

End Point

Time

1

2

1.5-2 hours

2

4

2.5-3 hours

1

4

4-5 hours

Since your shortest route is 1.5 - 2 hours, plan ahead. You can hit the beach anywhere along the river, but there are no bathroom facilities and no civilization until you get back to the rental shed.

Tonto National Forest Park permits small boats on the Salt River like kayaks, so if that's more your thing, go for it.

The buses won't port your boats for you, and you'll probably need a good support crew to pick you up.

Also, some spots of the Salt River are very shallow, so go with some experienced kayakers the first time, or take your chances.

You'll see a lot of people climbing up and jumping from the cliffs into the Salt River. This is supposed to be off limits!, but plenty of people do it, and I think the rangers turn a blind eye.

Some cliff overhangs have been dynamited to prevent really high jumps, and so the rangers might permit the lower jumps. If they catch you doing anything incredibly dangerous, you'll get a warning or worse.

It's dangerous for climbers and jumpers who've also been drinking, but also dangerous to tubers who might get caught underneath. Generally, you have to be pretty close to the walls to be in the way, and the river is wide enough to avoid jumpers.

If you want to jump, there are several locations which are the most popular, and give you the best chance of not injuring yourself. Go where the jumpers go, pay attention and be careful.

If you have to jump, go in feet first, even if you think you know the depth of the water and the layout of the rocks. Feet first, arms and legs in seems to be the best way to go in to reduce injury. Belly flops, swan dives and other dives are only for the foolish.

One of the most popular spots looks like a mini Montezuma's Castle-like hole in the rock face about 20-25 feet from the river surface.

Another Note About Drinking

Drinking alcohol on the river is supposed to forbidden, but you will see just about everyone do it, and probably will yourself. If you're going to drink, don't go beyond your limits, drink plenty of water to keep from dehydrating, and don't be a jerk about it.

Being drunk and belligerent, throwing out spent cans (or bottles!), and generally being a jerk while climbing walls, harassing others and being obviously drunk is a good way to bring the rangers down on you, who do patrol the area and will ruin the rest of your trip if you give them the opportunity.

Disclaimer: Cliff diving is dangerous! Don't do it. If you do, be careful and mindful of your entry, including other swimmers and tubers around you. If you hurt yourself, or someone else, it's all on you. Any entry into water, with unseen rocks, or even simply impact with water can cause injury or death.