Salt River Tours & Attractions

Starting at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch, you and your group will kayak down a scenic five mile stretch of river as it moves it's way through the Tonto National Forest. Participants often witness wild horses, birds and other wildlife that cool off in the river during the summer months. 

We have the special privilege of being the only kayak rental company located right on the Salt River, so our trips launch directly from our site. Each reservation includes a kayak (or with advance request a paddleboard), paddle, PFD/personal flotation device and return shuttle to starting site.

This is an UNGUIDED kayaking experience. While this is primarily a scenic float there are sections of swift water and kayakers often tip out – so be prepared to get wet.
Duration: 2 hours.

Desert Dog Offroad has been offering guided desert tours for over 25 years! What’s better than driving a 800cc UTV Sand Buggy over cool terrain with your best bud by your side? How about having a guide to lead the way so you don’t get lost! Ha ha ha, no but really… Anyways our customer reviews on this tour are through the roof! This isn’t some slow-speed, single file UTV tour. This is a smile-a-second ride through super-cool desert track; rock gardens, sandy washes, twisty canyons, and technical two track. Water and snacks will be provided at the mid way stop and drivers and passengers can swap at this point, so everyone with valid drivers license gets a chance to drive. You will also learn about the Flora and Fauna in Sonoran Desert and that the only place you can find the Saguaro Cactus is in The Sonoran Desert. Desert Dog Offroad brings the buggies, helmets, gators, water and snacks. You bring you and see why this is the funnest desert tour out there!


Duration: 2 hours.

Desert Dog Offroad has been offering guided desert tours for over 25 years! What’s better than driving a 800cc UTV Sand Buggy over cool terrain with your best bud by your side? How about having a guide to lead the way so you don’t get lost! Ha ha ha, no but really… Anyways our customer reviews on this tour are through the roof! This isn’t some slow-speed, single file UTV tour. This is a smile-a-second ride through super-cool desert track; rock gardens, sandy washes, twisty canyons, and technical two track. Water and snacks will be provided at the mid way stop and drivers and passengers can swap at this point, so everyone with valid drivers license gets a chance to drive. You will also learn about the Flora and Fauna in Sonoran Desert and that the only place you can find the Saguaro Cactus is in The Sonoran Desert. Desert Dog Offroad brings the buggies, helmets, gators, water and snacks. You bring you and see why this is the funnest desert tour out there!


Duration: 2 hours.

Float down the Lower Salt River on a guided flatwater rafting trip and discover a scenic and relaxing desert oasis just outside Phoenix and Scottsdale. Swim, play, or just relax on the river and soak in the scenery. This is a family-friendly activity with options to please everyone. A little paddling is required, but your guide will steer the boat and provide fascinating information about the surrounding Sonoran Desert. A reliable source of water, the Salt River attracts a variety of wildlife, making it common for us to enjoy close encounters with animals in their natural habitat

Tours take about four hours including the drive to/from the river and the duration of the tour. Bottled water and snacks, raft/paddles, a life jacket, dry bags, round-trip transportation and National Forest entry fees are included in this trip. Tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.

Call for more availability potential.
Duration: 4 hours.

Starting at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch, you and your group will kayak down a scenic thirteen mile stretch of river as it moves its way through the Tonto National Forest. Participants often witness wild horses, otters, birds and other wildlife that cool off in the river during the summer months.

We have the special privilege of being the only kayak rental company located right on the Salt River, so our trips launch directly from our site. Each reservation includes a kayak or paddleboard rental, paddle, PFD (personal flotation device) and return shuttle to starting site.

This is an UNGUIDED kayaking experience. While this is primarily a scenic float there are sections of swift water and kayakers often tip out – so be prepared to get wet.
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes.

* Please note this trip has a minimum of 4pp or more to operate.

Join us for a leisure river float where you can see flora and fauna of beautiful Arizona. Some of the endless possibilities for wildlife sightings could be otters, herons, eagles and wild horses! Enjoy the scenery of cactus lining the banks of the desert scape while rafting along the Lower Salt River.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.

The best of both worlds. Close proximity to the city, yet worlds apart! Active but relaxing all at the same time. Most people think of sand when you go to the desert but on this trip it's water! Enjoy the scenery of cactus lining the banks of the desert scape while kayaking the Lower Salt River from Phon D Sutton to Granite Reef recreational areas.
Duration: 2 hours.

An amazing day trip from Phoenix to Arizona's other "Grand Canyon". Spend an unforgettable day paddling down the majestic Salt River Canyon on this 6-hour rafting trip. Tackle the rapids with a passionate, knowledgeable guide on your raft. This is an excellent trip for rafters of all levels. Lunch is included.
Duration: 6 hours.

The Salt River half-day whitewater rafting trip is the perfect place to get your feet wet with splashy class III rapids and picturesque views of the White Mountains. You can easily upgrade at the last minute if you are having a great time and wish to continue for the full-day experience!
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Get out and enjoy one of Arizona's hidden treasures - whitewater rafting on the Salt River. Our most popular trip offering 10 miles of class III-IV whitewater with stunning views of saguaro cactus and other desert vegetation with red canyon walls and unique rock formations as their backdrop. A truly amazing experience that the entire family will never forget.
Duration: 12 hours.

Escape to the "other" Grand Canyon, the Salt River Canyon for an exciting morning filled with 6 "wet and fun" Class III rapids on a Salt River one day raft trip! Rapids are every 5 to 10 minutes in this unbelievable 2,000 foot deep canyon.

Duration: 3 hours.

Get a full day of froth on our Salt River One Day Raft Trip! Here in the “other” Grand Canyon, the Salt promises for an exciting day filled with 10-12 wet and fun Class III rapids!

The rapids churn up every 5 to 10 minutes in this unbelievable 2,000-foot deep canyon. You’ll get about 4-5 hours on the water, with a signature steak lunch to oblige.
Duration: 6 hours.

The Salt River Rafting Express Trip lets you tackle the whole 10-12 mile stretch of the 1 Day trip in a fraction of the time. Paddles in the water folks, we’re conquering this frothy section in just a few hours!

Enjoy churning up the suds in this 2,000 foot deep canyon while enjoying one spash-tastic rapid after the other. This trip is ideal for those who like to sleep in, but also want to experience white water rafting in Arizona!
Duration: 4 hours.

An easy drive from Phoenix to Arizona's other "Grand Canyon". Enjoy a fun filled day of whitewater rafting and while others drive back to the city you set up camp next to the river as the guides prepare dinner and a beautiful evening by the fire watching the stars overhead. Less than 3 miles from the highway our camp can be accessed by any vehicle which makes for some very comfortable camping as you can bring whatever you like.
Duration: 1 day 12 hours.