A quick search will likely yield several scheduled trips.

It is EXTREMELY important that you allow adequate travel time! While recent legislation officially bestows the name “wild horses” upon the herd, they’re not exactly wild, at least in the truest sense of the word. You want these to be bright enough that others can see where your boat is, but not so bright as to impair your night vision. Disembark here and carry your boat up the small hill to your left and you’ll find yourself at the parking lot. Black Canyon Lake may be a part of a much longer trip that takes you farther and farther into the forest where you will see all the beauty that is Arizona. easy (37) Tonto National Forest. The only exception for the Salt River is if you’re launching from Granite Reef. For an extra $10, you can keep them for a full 24 hours. WaterAlways bring (and drink) water, even if you’ve brought other beverages. Lake Roosevelt was created as part of a dam project on the Salt River, and it is quite flat and tranquil for most of this year.

My favorite time of day to kayak the Salt River is early in the morning. A post shared by Jess Donohue (@jessdonohueyoga) on Jul 5, 2018 at 10:22pm PDT. Traveling south of Flagstaff may be quite difficult because the forests are so large, but Knoll Lake catches your attention early in the trip. My recommendation is to set aside plenty of time for your first trip and learn what your own style is. There are pit toilets here, but no drinkable water. On summer weekends, the Lower Salt River can resemble a drunken party scene. Not only are you then without your beverages, but you’ve also created more river trash. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. Alternative days/times available for special groups, please inquire. As you can imagine, I usually prefer to end at Phon D Sutton to avoid these logistical challenges. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The last several times I have seen wild horses on the river banks. Consider going farther south as you find new places to kayak on this list. At the end of the paddle, drivers can be shuttled back to their vehicles before heading back to the take-out to retrieve their boats. Well definitely be back to kayak down the Salt River when the river starts flowing again in the spring! I recommend renting kayaks from the Arizona Hiking Shack, which is near 32nd Street & Thomas in east Phoenix. I always attach my gear—especially my phone case, cooler, and dry bag—to the boat using carabiners. Photo Credit: Alan Levine via Flickr CC2.0. distance 0.00 km. You’ll never live it down if you arrive without either of these two items.PFDIt’s federal law to have a PFD for each person onboard, and it just makes sense to wear it. Beer cans, bikinis, loud music, and general shenanigans are easy to find, along with plenty of police officers and DUI checkpoints, too. But sit-ins perform the best, even if they require a bit more skill to keep upright. In previous years, there was substantial confusion, even among some Tonto National Forest rangers and staff, on whether the America the Beautiful pass covered kayakers on the Salt River. The lake is surrounded by trees and the weather is actually quite temperate. You may not have known how lovely this state could be, but you will find that is captures your attention when your kayak rests on calm lake waters or rushes down a river made just for the occasion.

The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Sit-on-tops are great because they’re very stable and they don’t make some new paddlers as nervous as the enclosed cockpit of sit-ins. And if you’re still striking out, check out this post about ways to make more outdoor recreation friends. The ideal flow for kayaking is between about 500-1500 cfs. Salt River Kayak Trip is a 6.3 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mesa, Arizona that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Go out and paddle in Arizona. Arizona Hiking Shack, REI Paradise Valley, and REI Chandler locations offer short classes on kayaking and can help you choose the proper gear. The Salt River sits northeast of Phoenix in the middle of a national forest, and it is a tributary of the Gila River. If you can’t hold on to them, let your friends downstream collect them for you. Note: There is NO physical address for our Arizona whitewater rafting office. If you recreate often along the Salt River, the annual Discovery Pass might be cheaper for you. Once you’ve gained some control, alert others. Get there early in the morning. The take-out is nearly directly across the river from the tree, tucked into a small nook. Spend a relaxing morning paddling along lush green riverbanks and towering cliffs, keep alert for sightings of wild horses and bald eagles.