Salt River Rafting

Whitewater rafting in Arizona: Express, 1-Day, 2-Day, 3-Day, 4 & 5-Day Arizona River Trips.

Salt River Rafting
Location:	Central Arizona
Adventure Level:	Rafting: Intermediate Inflatable Kayaks: High Adventure Premium Boat: High Adventure
Class:	High Water:Class II, III & IV Rapids Low Water: Class II & III Rapids
Season:	Early March – April/May
Restrictions:	Raft: Ages 8 and up (except at high water) Inflatable Kayak: Age 16 & must be 5′ 2” Tall Premium Boat:Age 16+ for more adventure8+ for a more private boat option
Current Water Levels

Salt River Canyon Description:

Experience spectacular Salt River rafting trips in the Upper Salt River Canyon! Paddle through an incredible 2000-foot deep canyon as you take on rapids such as “Maytag,” “Overboard” and “Mescal Falls”. The Salt River drops at over 20 feet per mile as it carves a canyon full of wilderness to discover. The high Sonoran Desert scenery and fun filled whitewater make this a special place best shared with friends and family. Mild to Wild Rafting provides a delicious, guide prepared, grilled steak lunch on our one day trips. Longer trips take you further into the wilderness section of the spectacular Salt River Canyon, which changes dramatically from day to day, and plunges you into bigger rapids! Indulge in the ultimate: catered multi-day trips with our deluxe river camp setup.

Boat Options

Regular Rafts:

These are generally 15 foot self-bailing rafts. Choose an oar boat where the guide navigates with oars from the back of the boat so you can help paddle or just sit back and relax. Or, choose a paddle boat where everyone, including the guide, paddles. Since the guide doesn’t have the large oars, they do not have as much control and require YOUR assistance to navigate the river!

Premium Boats:

Smaller boats with smaller tubes so at higher water levels they increase the level of adventure. They can be set up as Paddle Boats or Oar Boats. In a Paddle Boat, the guide has a paddle like the customers so everyone has to help navigate and paddle through the rapids. If the guests want more adventure, the guide can also go for the riskier lines through the rapids. When rigged as an Oar Boat, the guide has more control so guests have the option to sit back and relax or assist in paddling through the rapids. Premium Boats can also be reserved as a more private boat option. We normally put 4 to 5 people (6 if there are 6 in the group) in a Premium Boat as opposed to 8 or 9 in the regular sized rafts. With this option, guests can request an Oar or Paddle Boat. If your group has younger kids and reserves a Premium Boat as a more private boat option, the guides will take more conservative lines as safety is our number one priority. At lower water levels, the Premium Boats only offer more of a private trip and there is no added adventure.

Inflatable Kayaks:

For those who want to increase the level of adventure further and control their own destiny, this is the perfect option! No experience necessary and an instructional guide will be provided. Each person will be in his/her own single person inflatable kayak. Interested? Go to Salt River Kayaking.

Options for all adventure levels!

 

Salt River Rafting Trip Options