Outdoor activities Near SCOTTSDALE
Scottsdale's Best Outdoor Adventure Is 90 Minutes Away
Scottsdale is one of the premier outdoor adventure destinations in the American Southwest and the most thrilling thing you can do from here doesn’t have a golf handicap requirement. Salt River white water rafting is a 90-minute drive from Scottsdale, and it delivers the kind of all-day adventure that defines an Arizona spring trip.
The Upper Salt River runs through a 2,000-foot-deep granite canyon on White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands, one of the most dramatic and ecologically unique landscapes in the country. This is the only whitewater rafting accessible from Scottsdale, and it’s exceptional: Class III and IV rapids, towering saguaros growing straight out of canyon walls, bald eagles overhead, and a true desert wilderness that feels worlds away from Old Town.
Arizona Rafting is one of only four outfitters permitted to operate on the Upper Salt River, with decades of experience guiding guests from the Scottsdale area. Whether you’re staying at a resort, here for spring training, or planning a full outdoor adventure trip, we’ll handle every detail.
Why Scottsdale Travelers Love Salt River Rafting
Scottsdale visitors come here for the outdoor adventure, the sunshine, and experiences they can’t find anywhere else. Salt River rafting delivers all three in a single day.
The ultimate outdoor escape from the resort. Scottsdale’s resorts are world-class — but if you want to trade the pool for something genuinely wild, the Salt River Canyon is as wild as Arizona gets. A guided rafting trip feels like a full backcountry expedition while still being completely accessible for first-timers.
The closest true whitewater to Scottsdale. At roughly 90 minutes from most Scottsdale resorts via US-60, the Salt River put-in near Globe is the nearest serious whitewater to the city. There is no closer option in Arizona — this is it.
It aligns perfectly with spring travel. The rafting season runs March through May, perfectly overlapping with Scottsdale’s peak visitor season, spring training, and the WM Phoenix Open. A rafting day fits naturally into a Scottsdale spring itinerary.
The canyon is genuinely otherworldly. The Salt River Canyon is sometimes called “Arizona’s other Grand Canyon” — a 2,000-foot-deep desert canyon with 1.4 billion-year-old granite walls, spring wildflowers in bloom, and a Sonoran Desert ecosystem found nowhere else on Earth.
Salt River Rafting Trips From Scottsdale
All Arizona Rafting trips depart from the US-60 bridge between Globe and Show Low — approximately 90 minutes from Scottsdale. Our expert guides, all safety gear, and a hot fajita or deli lunch are included on full-day and multi-day trips.
Our half-day trip covers 6 miles of Class III–IV whitewater and is the fastest way to experience the Salt River Canyon from Scottsdale. A perfect add-on for spring training visitors who want a morning or afternoon of outdoor adventure without committing to a full day. Best for: First-timers, families, spring training visitors, guests on a tighter schedule. Book Half-Day Trip →
The quintessential Salt River experience. A full day of Class III and IV rapids, a hot fajita lunch on the riverbank, time to explore hidden side canyons, and the full grandeur of the Upper Salt River Canyon. Our most popular trip from Scottsdale by a wide margin. Best for: Most groups, couples, families, anyone who wants the complete experience. Book Full-Day Trip →
Extend the adventure with a night under the canyon stars. The Campout trip adds an overnight at one of the Salt River’s riverside campsites — accessible only by water — for a backcountry experience that Scottsdale resort guests rarely discover. Best for: Groups and couples looking for a genuine wilderness experience without a multi-day time commitment.
Book A Campout Trip →
For the full Salt River Canyon wilderness experience, our multi-day trips run the entire length of the upper canyon. You’ll paddle bigger water, camp on remote beaches, and spend multiple days in a landscape most Arizonans have never seen. These are some of the finest multi-day rafting trips in the American Southwest.
View All Multi-Day Trips →
Planning Your Scottsdale Rafting Day: What to Know
How Far Is the Salt River From Scottsdale?
The put-in point at the US-60/77 junction is approximately 90 minutes from central Scottsdale and North Scottsdale — a straightforward drive east on US-60 through Mesa, Gold Canyon, and Globe. It’s one of the most scenic drives in Arizona in its own right, cutting through the Superstition Mountains and along the edge of the Tonto National Forest.
When Does the Rafting Season Run?
Salt River rafting season runs March through May, powered entirely by snowmelt from the White Mountains above. This makes it one of the earliest whitewater seasons in the United States — and one of the most coveted. Trips book quickly, especially during March spring training season and spring break. Book early.
Do I Need Experience?
No. Our guides lead guests of all backgrounds safely through the canyon. The experience level you need is a willingness to paddle when your guide calls it and hold on through some genuinely exciting rapids.
What’s Included?
All safety gear is provided: life jacket, helmet, wetsuit, and neoprene shoes. Full-day and multi-day trips include a cooked riverside lunch.
See our Packing List and River Conditions pages for trip preparation details.
Where to Stay in Scottsdale Before Your Rafting Trip
The client has personally curated these Scottsdale accommodation picks — all solid options within easy reach of US-60, your route to the Salt River Canyon.
Scottsdale Luxury Accommodations
- Aiden by Western @ Scottsdale North – (480) 314-1200 A
A contemporary North Scottsdale option with clean design and great access to US-101, which connects easily to US-60 for your trip east to the canyon.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort | (480) 949-1414
Full resort amenities, spacious suites, and a prime Scottsdale location make this a comfortable base for groups and families planning a multi-day Scottsdale adventure itinerary. Request a room with a mountain view for the full desert resort experience.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Phoenix Scottsdale — (480) 614-5300
The most practical option for budget-conscious travelers wanting a central Scottsdale location with straightforward access to I-10 and US-60. Complimentary breakfast makes an early departure for the river easier to manage.
Where to Eat in Scottsdale Before or After Your Trip
These restaurants were hand-selected by the client — and they’re representative of what makes Scottsdale’s food scene genuinely exceptional. Celebrate a great day on the river with one of these.
- Olive & Ivy — (480) 751-2200
A Scottsdale institution on the waterfront in Old Town. Mediterranean-inspired menu, excellent wine list, and a patio that captures Scottsdale at its best. A great post-river dinner for groups who want something upscale but relaxed.
- The Capital Grille — (480) 348-1700
For a celebratory dinner after your rafting adventure, The Capital Grille at Scottsdale Fashion Square delivers premium dry-aged steaks and an award-winning wine list in a classic setting. Reservations recommended.
More Outdoor Adventures Near Scottsdale to Build Into Your Trip
Scottsdale is one of the country’s best cities for outdoor adventure, and the Salt River rafting trip pairs naturally with many of the area’s other iconic experiences. Here’s how to build a full outdoor adventure itinerary around your trip:
- Hiking: Camelback Mountain, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Pinnacle Peak Park
Scottsdale offers some of the most rewarding desert hiking in Arizona. Camelback Mountain is the iconic centerpiece — the Echo Canyon and Cholla trails both summit at 2,704 feet with panoramic views of the entire Phoenix metro. Arrive before sunrise to beat the heat. McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers 225+ miles of interconnected trails through stunning Sonoran Desert terrain, from easy walks to technical climbs — and it’s Scottsdale’s most beloved natural space. Pinnacle Peak Park in North Scottsdale provides a more moderate hike with exceptional views and far lighter crowds than Camelback.
- Hot Air Ballooning Over the Sonoran Desert
Scottsdale’s sunrise balloon rides offer a completely different perspective on the same landscape you’ll experience at river level on your rafting trip. With over 300 sunny days per year, the conditions for hot air ballooning are almost always ideal. Major operators include Rainbow Ryders and Hot Air Expeditions — both depart early morning with a post-flight champagne toast.
- ATV and Off-Road Desert Tours
For a half-day of desert adventure before or after your rafting trip, Scottsdale’s ATV and off-road Jeep tours take you into the Sonoran Desert terrain just outside the city. Desert Dog Offroad Adventures is the longest-running off-road tour operator in Scottsdale and offers guided UTV sand buggy experiences through desert terrain that’s inaccessible by foot.
Scottsdale’s crown jewel natural space covers tens of thousands of acres of pristine Sonoran Desert directly adjacent to the city. The 225+ miles of trails support hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding — and the wildlife viewing (coyotes, javelina, Harris’s hawks, Gila woodpeckers) rivals anything you’d see in a national park. A morning here pairs beautifully with an afternoon spring training game or an early start for the next day’s rafting trip.
- Spring Training Baseball — Cactus League
Scottsdale hosts the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium (in the heart of Old Town) and both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. March is Scottsdale’s high season for a reason: the combination of Cactus League games, warm weather, resort pools, and outdoor adventures like Salt River rafting creates a spring itinerary that’s hard to beat anywhere in the country. Add a rafting day trip between games and you’ll understand why spring is when Scottsdale is at its best.
Scottsdale Arts, Culture & Attractions
The largest aquarium in the Southwest United States, OdySea features immersive displays and is an ideal activity for families with younger kids on days when the outdoor heat demands indoor time.
A sanctuary for Arizona’s native wildlife — mountain lions, black bears, wolves, and more — with guided tour experiences that offer a rare up-close look at the same species you might spot from the river on a multi-day trip.
A beautifully designed rainforest habitat with thousands of butterflies and a unique tropical ecosystem tucked into the desert. A gentle, crowd-pleasing counterpoint to the adrenaline of rafting.
Spring is the absolute peak season at the Desert Botanical Garden, when saguaros and wildflowers bloom across one of the world’s finest cactus collections. Time a visit here on the same trip as your rafting day — both are at their best in March and April.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architectural studio in the desert foothills of North Scottsdale. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most thoughtfully designed spaces in the Southwest — worth a guided tour for anyone interested in architecture, design, or Arizona history.
- Old Town Scottsdale
The walkable historic core of the city, with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and live music. Thursday nights bring the Scottsdale ArtWalk, when galleries open their doors and the district comes alive. A great post-adventure dinner destination.
Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art in a thoughtfully designed Old Town venue — a cultural contrast to a day of desert adventure.
One of the most unique museums anywhere — 200 countries’ worth of instruments, each with immersive audio-video displays. A genuinely fascinating few hours for travelers of any interest level.
A Smithsonian Affiliate museum dedicated to the art and history of the American West and Arizona’s indigenous cultures. Especially meaningful context if you’re about to raft through White Mountain Apache Tribal Lands.
Running every February, the world’s largest Arabian horse show is one of Scottsdale’s most unique and beloved annual events — a spectacle for visitors who time their trip right.
Frequently Asked Questions: Rafting Near Scottsdale
Is there white water rafting in Scottsdale itself?
No. Scottsdale is a desert city and doesn’t have navigable whitewater within the city limits. The closest whitewater rafting to Scottsdale is on the Upper Salt River, approximately 90 minutes east via US-60.
How long is the drive from Scottsdale to the Salt River put-in?
Most Scottsdale hotels are 80–95 minutes from the put-in point near Globe on US-60. The drive is scenic and straightforward — no mountain passes or difficult roads.
What class are the rapids on the Salt River?
Class III and IV — exciting and challenging for all experience levels, but fully guided. Named rapids include Bump and Grind, Maytag, Overboard, Exhibition, and Mescal Falls.
Is rafting a good activity during spring training season?
It’s one of the best add-ons for a Scottsdale spring training trip. The rafting season (March–May) aligns exactly with the Cactus League schedule. Many spring training visitors use their off-game day to drive out to the river.
What’s the minimum age?
Age 7 for the half-day trip; age 12 for the full-day. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
What is included in the trip price?
All safety gear (life jacket, helmet, wetsuit, neoprene shoes), expert guide service, and a hot riverside lunch on full-day and multi-day trips.
Book Your Scottsdale Rafting Adventure
The Salt River rafting season runs March through May — and with spring training crowds, spring break, and WM Phoenix Open visitors all competing for the same dates, popular spots go fast. Plan ahead.
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Choose from half-day and full-day trips white water rafting in Arizona on the Salt River. We offer trips up to five days long. Here’s what you could be missing out on: