Salt River Rafting Arizona Trip Descriptions

Salt River Rafting offers several Arizona whitewater rafting adventures in the spectacular 2000 foot deep Upper Salt River Canyon. River Rafting in Arizona on the Salt River presents challenging rapids and breath-taking scenery on this free-flowing river, one of the few remaining in the United States. Our season runs from the beginning of March until the end of May, every day, depending upon snow pack and water flow.

FULL DAY TRIP: 10AM MEETING 4-5PM RETURN
By far the most popular trip in the Upper Salt River Canyon, this full day adventure plummets through numerous Class III rapids. Calm stretches such as the Narrows just before lunch allow everyone to gather and revel in the beauty of the canyon that towers above or to enjoy a friendly "out of boating experience" better known as a swim. A delicious and satisfying grilled lunch is served on the beach and then it's off to more whitewater excitement! This is an excellent trip for first-timers as well as seasoned rafters; the Upper Salt River Canyon always offers new and unique experiences.

WILDERNESS BRIDGE TO BRIDGE: 8AM MEETING TIME
This Class III-IV whitewater trip covers over 50 miles of the Upper Salt River Canyon before it is tamed by the Roosevelt Lake Dam. We pass through three major geological faults which radically alter the look and feel of the canyon each time. You don't have to know a thing about geology to appreciate the beauty. This is one of the premiere multi-day whitewater trips in the country. We begin the trip on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in the White Mountains and thunder past red canyon walls of dripping springs quartzite, respectfully glide past the travertine salt banks of the Apache creation story, and enter a 1.4 billion year old canyon of white granite.

Once we pass the take out for the two day trip at Gleason Flats we enter the Salt River Canyon Wilderness Area protected by the federal government since 1984. Launches are restricted to two per day and group sizes of 15 people or less allowing us the opportunity to truly be a part of the wilderness experience. Throughout this segment of the Salt River we encounter the serenity and solitude of nature as well as the raw power and challenge of the wild river. Rapids like the Eye of the Needle, Black Rock, the Maze, Pinball, and Quartzite Falls are broken up with calm eddies and incredible scenery. Side canyon hikes with quiet pools and waterfalls support over 200 species of birds including the desert bald eagle. Black bear, coyote, javalina and bobcat tracks are often spotted. Wilderness Bridge to Bridge Trips are entirely river supported and are 3 to 5 days in length, dependent upon water flow. All food equipment and transportation is provided.

CAMP OUT TRIP 10 AM MEETING TIME
Not sure if you like camping or being committed to a multiple day trip? This is the trip for you! We run the same itinerary as the full day trip, except that when everyone else gets into their cars heading back to the city, you will come down to our riverside base camp for deluxe camping and dining. That's right, hop into your car loaded with your camping gear and all the conveniences you can think of and follow us just two miles to second camp where our staff lives and plays for the season. Here we will build a huge campfire to relax around, cook a fantastic dinner as only our highly trained guides can do, show you where to fish or hike, and then the stars! We will make a hearty breakfast in the morning after which you can leave at your leisure. Come and discover if "roughing it" is for you!

TWO DAY TRIP 10 AM MEETING TIME
The first day of our trip follows the same routine as the full day, including a grilled lunch on the river. We make camp for the evening at a scenic beach where our guides prepare a delightful gourmet dinner. Rafting isn't quite roughing it in the outdoors since we aren't limited by the size and weight of a backpack. In fact, the backpack (raft) is carrying you! Once at camp you can hike, fish, explore or just laze around a campfire, stargazing. Time permitting, hikes into side canyons are possible, including Cibique canyon, rated by author Jon Krakauer (Into Thin Air) as one of the top ten most beautiful places on earth. In the morning, after a hot and hearty breakfast, we break camp and continue down river.

On day two more wild rapids await! Ledges, Rat Trap and White Rock are a few of the thrilling rapids we encounter. This leg of our adventure brings us deeper into the Tonto National Forest where you will witness the transformation of the massive red rock canyon into a stark white granite mini-gorge. Saguaros, ocotillo and sotol fill the Sonoran Desert landscape along with glimpses of the ancient cliff dwellings of the Salado people who lived here before the Apache and European. From the take out at Gleason's Flats 25 miles from our starting point, yet another adventure begins. Veteran rafters and seasoned guides alike will tell you we should charge extra for the drive back to your car. Four wheel drive conditions, numerous stream crossings and unparalleled scenery make for one of the most interesting raft shuttles in the country.

HALF DAY TRIP (EXPRESS) 10AM MEETING 1-2PM RETURN
This option is designed for the budget minded adventurer or people with time constraints. This trip covers 6 of the 10 miles of the full day trip at half the cost. You will launch with the full day trip and when we stop for lunch you will be taken back to your vehicle. Bring a snack as no food is included. This trip is offered everyday but Saturday. We are confident that once you have been to the Salt River Canyon, not only will you be back for more, we know you will tell family and friends, heck, tell your enemies, we don't care, we just want to go rafting!

DUCKIES aka INFLATABLE KAYAKS
These inflatable kayaks of which you can see pictures of on our photos page are generally used at lower flows. Either solo or with a friend you will navigate the river yourself along with a guide in his own ducky, kayak or small raft to show you the way. More details are available on our faqs page about safety, staff, equipment and what to bring.

Keep in mind that inflatable kayaks are much more physically challenging than rafting. Getting stuck on rocks, falling out of the ducky and rescuing yourself with the aid of the guide are typical experiences and NOT for the faint of heart.

CUSTOM TRIPS
Any of our river trips can be customized to suit the needs of your group. We have organized multi-day trips to support kayakers focused on surfing all the play spots. Youth groups focused on experiential education. Groups who want to get in as much hiking and birding as possible. Or groups who just want to relax with a cocktail and a round of horseshoes on the beach. Talk to us about any of your ideas and we will arrange the right guides for your custom trip.