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Salt River Guide
Tubing, kayaking, and where to buy your Tonto Pass before you go.
- $8/day Tonto Pass required at all parking areas
- Buy in advance at vendors · $12 at on-site kiosks
Buy a Pass Before You Go
Every Lower Salt River day-use area requires a Tonto Pass: Coon Bluff, Phon D Sutton, Goldfield, Water Users, Pebble Beach, Blue Point. Pick up the $8 day pass in Mesa or Fountain Hills; the $80 annual pass and America the Beautiful also work.
Booking Salt River Tubing? Your parking pass is bundled in. Otherwise, pick one up at a gas station or convenience store on your way.
From East Valley
Mesa & Apache Junction via Power Rd / Bush Hwy
Four Sons Food Store #5011633 W. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction8.2 mi from Salt River
From Scottsdale
via Shea Blvd through Fountain Hills
Circle K #666417125 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills10 mi from Salt River
Circle K #50309618 Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills8.9 mi from Salt River
Getting on the Water
Rent the whole setup, or bring your own tube and handle the shuttle yourself.
Rent through Salt River TubingTube, shuttle, and Tonto Pass all included. Bring your own tube and pay less for the shuttle only. Open late April through early October.Easiest option
Bring your own tubeYou will need a Tonto Pass ($8), purchased in advance at a vendor. Leave a second car at your take-out point, then drive to your put-in and launch.DIY option
Day-use areas along Bush Highway
Upstream to downstream
- Water UsersPut in
Main DIY put-in
- 2Blue Point / Pebble Beach / Sheep Crossing
Multiple access points in one stretch
~1.5–2 hrs from previous - 3Coon Bluff
Wild horse sightings common here
- 4Goldfield
Midway landmark
~2.5–3 hrs from previous - Phon D SuttonTake out
Popular take-out point
Float times depend on water levels, which change daily. At typical summer flows, expect roughly 2 hours for a shorter section and 4–5 hours for the full run. Check flow data from USGS before you go.
About the Salt River
The Lower Salt River runs through Tonto National Forest about 40 miles northeast of Phoenix, off US-60 to Bush Highway. Wide, slow-moving water, saguaro-covered desert hills, and wild horses that come down to drink at the banks. Tubing season runs late April through early October.
A Tonto Pass ($8/vehicle) is required at all day-use parking areas. Buy in advance at vendors. On-site kiosks charge $12.
Tips for Your Visit
- Buy your Tonto Pass in advance. On-site kiosks charge $12 vs. $8 at vendors.
- Arrive early on summer weekends. Areas fill to capacity and will turn vehicles away.
- No drinking water at any day-use area. Bring plenty of your own.
- No glass containers allowed on the Lower Salt River. Use cans or plastic.
- Stay at least 50 feet from wild horses. Do not approach, feed, or let dogs run loose near them.
- Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket.
- Water shoes are worth it. The river bottom is rocky.
- No cell service near the river. Download maps and save your pass before you leave.
- Check water levels before you go. Flow data is available from USGS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Tonto Pass to tube the Salt River?
Yes. A Tonto Pass ($8/vehicle) is required at all Lower Salt River day-use parking areas. Buy before you arrive. On-site kiosks charge $12. If you book through Salt River Tubing, the pass is included in their fee.
How long does a Salt River float take?
Depends on your route and the water level. Water Users to Pebble Beach is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Pebble Beach to Goldfield adds another 2.5 to 3 hours. Most people float one section and are done in 2 to 4 hours. Spring runoff moves faster than late summer.
Where do I put in and take out on the Salt River?
Day-use areas along Bush Highway run upstream to downstream: Water Users, then Blue Point/Pebble Beach/Sheep Crossing, then Coon Bluff, then Goldfield, then Phon D Sutton at the far end. For a DIY float, leave a second car at your intended take-out before you drive to your put-in. Salt River Tubing also offers a shuttle-only pass if you want to bring your own tube but skip the car logistics.
Can I rent a tube at the Salt River?
Yes. Salt River Tubing on Bush Highway handles everything: tube, shuttle to and from the river, and your Tonto Pass. $28 per person. Open late April through early October.
Will I actually see wild horses on the Salt River?
Likely yes. Wild horses are commonly spotted along the Lower Salt River, especially around Coon Bluff, Goldfield, and Blue Point. Keep at least 50 feet away. Do not feed them or let dogs run loose near them.
Is alcohol allowed on the Salt River?
Technically yes, but glass containers are prohibited. Use cans or plastic. Sun, heat, and a river make it easy to lose track of how much you have had. Go easy.
Find a Tonto Pass Vendor Near You
Buy before you head out. $8/day required at all Salt River parking areas.