Ultimate Summer Guide to Salt River Tubing in Arizona
Things To Do | June 27, 2025 | SWSS Staff
Looking for a refreshing way to stay cool this summer in Scottsdale while admiring the cacti-dotted canyons, wild horses, and rugged desert landscapes in Arizona?
If so, tubing the Lower Salt River is the perfect activity to add to your summer bucket list — and it’s only a 40-minute drive from Scottsdale! Read through this guide to tubing the Lower Salt River for all the insider tips, tricks, and information you need to plan an unforgettable tubing adventure.
What Is Salt River Tubing?
The Salt River is a 200-mile-long river that winds through Tonto National Forest in Arizona.
While the Upper Salt River is a popular spot for white-water rafting in Arizona, with thrilling Class III and Class IV rapids during the spring, the Lower Salt River offers a much tamer rafting experience in the summer, perfect for a leisurely, relaxing float. You’ll see saguaro-studded hills, stunning cliffs, and, if you’re lucky, wild horses wading in the river or grazing on the banks while floating the Salt River!
Salt River Tubing Details
Tubing Season
The tubing season on the Lower Salt River typically begins at the end of April and lasts through the end of September. Exact times and dates vary depending on the weather and water conditions.
Most people consider Memorial Day Weekend the unofficial “kickoff” of the salt river tubing season, and Labor Day Weekend generally marks the end of the season.
Trip Length
During your tubing trip down the Salt River, you can choose from three different start and end points.
You can float the top half of the river, which takes about two hours, the bottom half of the river, which takes about three hours, or the entire route, which takes five hours. Remember, float times vary depending on water flow, dam releases, and snowpack levels.
Tube Rentals
Salt River Tubing is the most well-known tube rental company for floating the Lower Salt River.
Tube rentals with shuttle access to the Salt River cost $28 per person, and the shuttle ride without a tube (if you bring your own) costs $22 per person. You can also rent a tube for your cooler for $20 — these tubes are essential if you’re planning to bring drinks and snacks on the river.
Summer Tubing Pass
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time floating the river this summer, you might want to look into the Endless Summer Pass from Salt River Tubing. For $195 per person, you’ll receive one tube rental and a shuttle pass during each visit to the Lower Salt River from May to September.
Tonto National Forest Day Pass
If you book your tubing trip on the Lower Salt River through Salt River Tubing, you do not need to secure a Tonto Pass to park in the parking lot.
However, if you’ll be tubing or kayaking on the Salt River without a tour group, you’ll need to purchase a Tonto National Forest Daily Pass for $8 to enter and access picnic areas and other recreation areas in Tonto National Forest.
What to Bring for Salt River Tubing in Arizona
Getting ready for a day on the Lower Salt River? Here’s what to wear and bring for a safe and successful float:
Clothing
Most people wear a swimsuit or a quick-dry athletic outfit to float the Lower Salt River. Secure footwear, like outdoor sandals or water shoes, is recommended. Flip flops are not sturdy enough for floating down the river and can fall off in some of the more intense rapids.
Sun Protection
The summer heat in Greater Phoenix is no joke. Temperatures often exceed 110°F in the afternoons, and most days feature clear skies with minimal cloud cover. Lather yourself in sunscreen to prevent sunburns, and bring sunglasses and a hat for sun protection.
Waterproof Storage
Bring a dry bag to store personal items, like your cell phone, wallet, and car keys, to keep them dry while floating the river.
Cooler
A cooler stocked with snacks, drinks, and water is a must while floating the Salt River. Please note that glass is prohibited in Tonto National Forest, so stick to reusable or plastic bottles and aluminum cans. And don’t litter — bring a trash bag for empty bottles, cans, and wrappers, so you can pack out what you bring in.
Optional Extras
If you’re planning to float with a large group, consider bringing a rope that the entire group can hold onto to keep all the tubes close together while navigating the rapids. Some people also like to bring a beach towel to sit on top of their tube (the rubber can get hot in the sun), a waterproof speaker to play music, or a GoPro to take photos and videos while floating the river.
Helpful Tips for Salt River Tubing in Arizona
Before heading out on the Salt River, remember the following information to guarantee a memorable, fun, and safe experience for yourself and everyone else.
- Drink tons of water — Because of the cool water temperatures, it might not feel as hot as it actually is while you’re floating down the river. That’s all the more reason to stay hydrated! Drink water before, during, and after your float, especially if you’ll also be drinking alcohol.
- Reapply sunscreen frequently — If you’re prone to sunburns, reapply sunscreen frequently while you’re on the river to maintain good sunscreen coverage (you’ll thank yourself later!).
- Be safe and responsible — Never forget to designate a sober driver if you’re planning to drink while floating the Salt River. And, remember to be respectful of others. Keep all your trash within your group, and refrain from throwing items (especially marshmallows) at others.
- Float on weekdays — Weekends, holidays, and afternoons are the most popular times to float the Salt River. If you want to avoid the rowdy crowds, plan to float the river on weekdays or early in the morning for a quieter atmosphere (which is also ideal for wildlife spotting!).
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