TONTO NATIONAL FOREST - MESA, ARIZONA
COOL OFF THIS SUMMER WITH SALT RIVER TUBING!
At Salt River Tubing, we believe in making the most of Arizona’s beautiful outdoors with a fun and memorable experience for everyone. Since our establishment, we’ve been dedicated to providing adventure seekers with a unique way to beat the heat and enjoy the natural beauty of the Salt River. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful float or a lively group outing, our mission is to offer an accessible, affordable, and safe way to create lasting memories under the sun. With over 40+ years of experience, we pride ourselves on our friendly service, commitment to environmental stewardship, and passion for helping our guests connect with nature and each other. Grab a tube, hop in, and let the river carry you away on an unforgettable journey!
OPEN DATES:
We will open up reservations in April of 2025!
FLOAT INFORMATION
Top Cutoff | 12PM*
Tube Rental Cutoff | 2PM*
Times are subject to change daily
PRICING
Tube Rental | $25
Bucket Tube | $20
Shuttle Pass (Personal Tube) | $20
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Step 1: Plan Your Trip
- Check the Weather & Conditions: Before heading out, check the weather forecast and river conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- What to Bring: Prepare essentials like lifejackets, sunscreen, water, snacks, waterproof bags, and a hat. Don’t forget to wear water-friendly shoes and comfortable swimwear.
- Book Online: Book online to save some time! This is recommended but not necessary, it will definitely help save time on the busy weekends
- If water flow is over 1200 CFS, children under the age of 13 are only allowed to do the bottom half. Feel free to call when we open the day of your rental to check our water flow!
- All children ages 8-12 are required to have life jackets per Salt River Tubing Policy!
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Step 2: Arrive & Park
- Getting There: Head to our HQ at 9200 N Bush Highway in Mesa, AZ. Arrive early, especially on weekends or holidays, to secure parking and avoid long lines.
- Parking: Park in the designated lots and take note of where your car is for an easy return. Parking in our lots is included with your tubing rental or bus passes.
- Prepare for the Day: Before heading to check-in, apply sunscreen, secure your belongings in waterproof bags, and make sure you’re ready for the day on the river. Wear water-friendly shoes and comfortable swimwear.
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Step 3: Check-In & Rent Your Tube
- Check-In: Once you’re ready, head to any of the windows to check in if you have a online booking!
- Children ages 8-12 are REQUIRED to have life jackets BEFORE the check in process can begin.
- Tube Options: We only offer single rider tubes. We do offer additional tubes for your coolers to keep your drinks, snacks, and personal items afloat.
- ID/License: Valid IDs or licenses are required for cash transactions only. We will hold on to them as collateral until the tubes are returned!
- Cash transactions can only be done on the left side of Window One. All other lines are card or online check-in.
- Get Your Wristband (Weekends Only): On weekends, you’ll receive a wristband after paying, which gives you access to the shuttle and tubes when you get off the bus.
- Payment Options: Cash, Card, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Gift Cards
- Check-In: Once you’re ready, head to any of the windows to check in if you have a online booking!
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Step 4: Choose Your Starting Point & Shuttle
- Board the Shuttle: After checking in, board one of our shuttles. You have three options for your float:
- The Top: Start here for some fun in the rapids, continue on to the bottom half or get out for a short experience.
- The Bridge: For a calmer float, start at the bridge and enjoy the wildlife and scenery.
- Full Float: Start at the TOP and enjoy the best of both worlds, rapids and relaxation
- Float times may vary depending on the weather and water flow, please ask about float times during check in!
- If water flow is over 1200 CFS, children under the age of 13 are only allowed to do the bottom half.
- Board the Shuttle: After checking in, board one of our shuttles. You have three options for your float:
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Step 5: Float the River
- Enter the Water: Upon arrival at your chosen starting point, get into the water. Hold onto your group’s tubes to stay together.
- Enjoy the Float: Relax and enjoy the scenic float down the river. The journey can take 2-4 hours depending on your starting point and the river’s flow.
- Stay Safe: Follow all safety guidelines, stay hydrated, and respect the environment. Be mindful of your surroundings and other floaters.
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Step 6: Exit & Return
- Exit the River: Look for the exit signs along the river, signaling your stop. Help each other out of the water and gather your belongings.
- Clean Up: Throw away trash in the provided cans down by the waters edge.
- Return Your Tube (Weekends Only): Drop off your rented tube at the return station.
- Weekdays: You will board the bus with your tubes are return them at our HQ.
- Board the Shuttle Back: Board the shuttle back to our HQ. If you paid CASH, pick up your ID from window one upon return.
Possible Trip Routes
*Float Times Change Daily*
| ① – ② | Top Half (Shortest) |
| ② – ④ | Bottom Half |
| ① – ④ | Full Trip (Longest) |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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We do! Call us at 480-984-3305 to get in touch with someone who can help.
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- Children must be AT LEAST four (4) feet tall to go tubing.
- Our policy requires children ages 12 and under to wear life jackets. These can be purchased at our Snack Bar for $15.
- When the water flow is 1200cfs or higher, groups with children can only float the bottom half for the safety of the children.
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Yes! Simply give us a call during our open hours, and we’ll gladly assist in changing your reservation to a different day.
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Float times vary depending on water flow, which changes daily. Exact times are determined the day of your booking.
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No, you do not need a Tonto Pass to park at our building! Parking in our lots is free to anyone using our services.
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- Self-Service kiosks found at most points
- Local gas stations
- Local grocery stores
- Online at https://www.myscenicdrives.com/store/item/forest-passes/tonto
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Yes, we can accommodate most sizes of ice chests with one of our tubes or bucket tubes.
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Using the bucket as a cooler is NOT recommended. We recommend bringing your own cooler because the buckets are not waterproof or insulated.
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No, we are unable to inflate personal tubes due to safety and liability reasons.
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Yes! Discounts are available in person only and cannot be added after a purchase.
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Salt River Tubing requires a VALID ID for cash transactions only. Accepted IDs:
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- Driver License
- State ID
- Passport
- Passport Card
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Yes, we do accept cash deposits if you don’t have an ID. For each tube, a $30 deposit is required in addition to the standard tube rental price.
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- Sunscreen
- Comfortable Shoes
- Plenty of Water
- Cooler/Ice Chest
- Drinks (Glass is prohibited)
- Food & Snacks
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- Marshmallows – Prohibited by Forest Service
- Glass – Prohibited by Forest Service
- Weapons – Prohibited by Sheriff’s Office
- Drugs – Prohibited by Sheriff’s Office
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No, your tube rental includes shuttle transportation to and from the river.
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- The bus ride is approximately 10-15 minutes to the starting point.
- Bus rides back to our building from the end are ~5 minutes.
ENJOY THE THRILL OF SALT RIVER TUBING!
It’s very easy to purchase tickets online, park, get your wrist band, get in the bus, and grab your tube. The bus drivers are really cool and give you awesome tips. Every time I’ve tubed down the salt river I’ve seen wild horses in the river. They are beautiful. I recommend using sheets to sit on the tubes so they don’t get too hot. Perfect day for friends & family to enjoy.
– Teresa C. | Google Reviews
Easy check in ( l ordered my tube rentals online). I ordered an additional bucket tube at check in which they just added to my card l paid with previously. Smooth ride to the start of the tubing trip. Didn’t have to wait long to be picked up after the tubing trip was over. The Shuttle drivers were kind and courteous. Had a blast! Will definitely plan a future trip again. I did this trip on a weekday and It was soo much less congested in the parking lot and the wait time to get my tickets scan was short.
– Kenric R. | Google Reviews
It's 115° outside, what could you possibly do that would entertain a whole guest group/family? The water is 60-65, so it's brisk at first, but it's perfect for 2-4 hours of floating--and in some places, zooming down the river. Incredible experience!
– Frank S. | Google Reviews
It was my first time as a solo floater, and my experience was electric!!! The groups were so friendly, offering me all sorts and checking on me. Did the long float this time, so I was so relaxed and grounded at the end. Water was perfect temp, with it being 112 degrees out. I felt freedom and saw some of the gorgeous horses, roadrunners, quail, dragonflies, and oh so much more. What an awesome Monday!!! Yay! I can't wait to return again.
– Mon McP | Google Reviews
We had a great time and will definitely be back. I read a lot of reviews so I had a good idea of what to expect but my expectations were far exceeded. I booked online the morning of and the process was so simple and quick. We got there around 930 am. There weren't any lines and plenty of parking. I added a bucket tube to our rentals and am so glad I did. We opted to start at point 1 and went all the way to point 4. The bus drivers were awesome and super helpful. Just wish I lived closer!
– Madonna M. | Google Reviews
Fantastic daytime adventure. It was our first time tubing and we are hooked. We had so much fun. We are definitely recommending for everyone. We now know to bring a paddle next time. The wild horses we beautiful and the water was a cool 68degrees in the 110 degree weather.
– Laurie Z. | Yelp
My daughter came in from California to visit for the 4th of July weekend. She suggested floating the salt river as one of our activities. I’m 65 but I would say I am an active 65. We decided to float the river on Saturday after the 4th. It was our 1st time and we had no idea what it would be like since it was a busy weekend. I heard a person the phone saying he had never seen it so busy. I was amazed at how easy it was to check in and be on the bus to the river. Though there were a lot of people they did an excellent job handling the crowd. We were headed to the river on the bus within 15 minutes of parking. The float was amazing! Cool water beat the heat! I was never hot and sweaty while on the tube. Returning back to the lot where we had parked just as easy! I will definitely do this activity again!
– sonny s. | Trip Advisor
We had a great time floating the Salt River! The staff members were helpful and friendly and the buses in and out were prompt. Our only complaint was the litter along the river in some areas. The current can make it difficult to catch anything dropped in the water, so if you visit please take care of the river and keep up with your trash. We are in our 20’s and still fell multiple times getting in and out of the river because of the current. It was hilarious to us, but may cause some difficulty for younger kids or older adults. We took advantage of renting a storage tube float for our cooler and dry bags, which was super convenient for water and snacks. The water was refreshing even in the summer heat but the sun is brutal so don’t forgot sunscreen and lots of water! We will be back next time we visit Arizona.
– Saylor D. | Trip Advisor