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Get to Know the Salt River

If you’re new to southern Arizona or just visiting, you may not be familiar with the Salt River. The Salt River runs through several counties in central Arizona, including Maricopa County, Gila County, and Pinal County. It begins near Mount Baldy before winding its way southward through rugged canyons and eventually emptying into the Gila River near Phoenix. Along its course, it passes by several major landmarks, including Roosevelt Lake and Saguaro Lake. It also provides habitat for a variety of fish species as well as other wildlife such as beavers, otters, and bald eagles. 

Here at Arizona Rafting we make our home on the Salt River, providing trips of all lengths to our adventurous guests. For the visitor or the late risers, our Sprint tour offers a full day of rafting on Class III and Class IV rapids with a later departure time and without a stop for lunch. The Sprint trip still offers the perfect mix of adventure, desert scenery, and exciting white water but at an exhilarating pace. 

Tackle the challenging rapids of Maytag, Mother Rock, and Overboard. After cruising through the volcanic Narrows, take a break to eat a quick snack and enjoy a restroom break. Jump back in the rafts and navigate through the remaining seven rapids including the powerful waves of Exhibition and the daunting drop of Mescal Falls. There is no shortage of thrilling whitewater on this full day of heart-pounding adventure.

If you are looking for a more isolated and truly scenic getaway, consider diving deeper into the spectacular Salt River Wilderness on a 2 Day Expedition, or a 3 Day, 4 Day, or 5 Day trip. These multi-day adventures travel through remote canyons full of exciting whitewater and riverside beach campsites.