Tubing the Salt River
Float a cold desert river on an inner tube, cooler strapped to a fourth tube, wild horses on the bank — the Valley's signature summer day.
Salt River Tubing operates on the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, northeast of Mesa near the community of Tonto/Usery, and it's a genuine metro-Phoenix institution — generations of Arizonans have spent summer Saturdays drifting the cool water under desert cliffs.
The water is dam-released and cold even in July, which is exactly the point: when the Valley hits 110°F, the Salt River is the escape. Floats run roughly 2 to 5 hours depending on which entry point you pick, with a shuttle bus carrying you back to your car.
The river runs through the Salt River wild horse range, so it's common to see the famous wild horses grazing or wading right at the water's edge. They're protected under Arizona state law — keep your distance and never feed them.
Common questions
When can I go?
The season runs roughly from late April through late September, weather and water-flow permitting (2026 opened April 25 and closes September 27). Weekends are packed; go on a weekday for breathing room.
What does it cost and how does it work?
Salt River Tubing charges a flat fee that includes the tube rental and the shuttle (around $28 per person in 2026; a shuttle-only pass if you bring your own tube runs about $22, and a cooler tube about $20). You park, rent a tube, and the bus drops you upriver to float back down to the lot.
What should I bring?
Closed-toe water shoes (the riverbed is rocky), tons of sunscreen, plenty of water, and a separate tube for your cooler. Glass is prohibited by the Forest Service. You don't need a Tonto National Forest pass to park in Salt River Tubing's lots when you use their service.
Is it safe for kids?
It's family-friendly on the shorter floats, but the current can move and there are no lifeguards. Salt River Tubing requires tubers to be at least four feet tall, and children 12 and under must wear a life jacket — check the latest rules before you go.
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