Salt River Tubing
Salt River Tubing
4
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
515 reviews
Excellent
301
Very good
122
Average
38
Poor
18
Terrible
36
LadyLinda55
Leominster, MA34 contributions
Jun 2020
This our second float down the Salt River. The first was 9 years ago with the same Arizona friends. The scenery is amazing. Don't forget to turn around and look behind you, too. We enjoyed floating by the local flora and fauna; Saguaro cactus, birds nesting in the Mud Cliffs, red wing black birds, a raccoon washing his hands on the edge of the river and best of all herds of wild horses wading in to drink and nibble on the vegetation.
Both times we went in the morning within an hour of opening and chose the 2.5-3 hour float entering at location #2 and exiting at #4. Exiting is always the most difficult for us because there is a light rapid there that doesn't want you to leave. lol
This year the cost was $19 but we had $7 off coupons from Taco Bell.
We highly recommend this activity to anyone in the area.
Both times we went in the morning within an hour of opening and chose the 2.5-3 hour float entering at location #2 and exiting at #4. Exiting is always the most difficult for us because there is a light rapid there that doesn't want you to leave. lol
This year the cost was $19 but we had $7 off coupons from Taco Bell.
We highly recommend this activity to anyone in the area.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott H
3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Such a fun experience overall. The business is well-run with friendly, helpful staff. Buses for transportation to and from the river come regularly and everything was well-marked and easy to read.
If you're in a group, I'd recommend bringing twine or string to lash your tubes together as you float down the river. Also, the cooler tube claims it can accommodate any size cooler, but the reality is that it's just a regular tube with a large bucket in the middle. It was perfect for holding the dumped contents of our 48-QT cooler.
The river is extremely shallow in areas (< 1 foot deep) and deep enough that I (5'2") could not touch the bottom in most areas. There are rocks in the shallow areas that can painfully bump you if you don't lift your butt when you pass over them. The rocks also make walking barefoot through the river incredibly difficult, so if you come, WEAR WATER SHOES. The sturdier and grippier, the better.
Make sure you pack water and reapply sunscreen while you're out. Sunglasses and hats recommended. Bring a waterproof speaker to put in the cooler bucket. Leave as many valuables in the car as possible.
Overall we had an absolutely wonderful time. The only things I would have done differently would be to bring twine, try harder to avoid rocks, and wear water shoes.
If you're in a group, I'd recommend bringing twine or string to lash your tubes together as you float down the river. Also, the cooler tube claims it can accommodate any size cooler, but the reality is that it's just a regular tube with a large bucket in the middle. It was perfect for holding the dumped contents of our 48-QT cooler.
The river is extremely shallow in areas (< 1 foot deep) and deep enough that I (5'2") could not touch the bottom in most areas. There are rocks in the shallow areas that can painfully bump you if you don't lift your butt when you pass over them. The rocks also make walking barefoot through the river incredibly difficult, so if you come, WEAR WATER SHOES. The sturdier and grippier, the better.
Make sure you pack water and reapply sunscreen while you're out. Sunglasses and hats recommended. Bring a waterproof speaker to put in the cooler bucket. Leave as many valuables in the car as possible.
Overall we had an absolutely wonderful time. The only things I would have done differently would be to bring twine, try harder to avoid rocks, and wear water shoes.
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsBear2u
Albuquerque, NM61 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
This place was crazy busy. Hundreds of people drinking and floating down the river. It was great fun.
But the day we went, they could not process credit cards. The nearest ATM was 20 minutes back down the road. Then they refused to accept change. We were a dollar short because they wouldn’t accept quarters. We had to trudge back to the car ( mind you it’s AZ in June 100+ temps and we had waited in the sun 20 minutes to get to that point) for a dollar bill because we made a rounding error (don’t forget tax on the advertised price).
Once we FINALLY got the payment taken care of we had to wait in the heat and sun for 30 more minutes to get on the bus to the drop in.
It was 2 hours from our first arrival to actually getting in the water.
But the day we went, they could not process credit cards. The nearest ATM was 20 minutes back down the road. Then they refused to accept change. We were a dollar short because they wouldn’t accept quarters. We had to trudge back to the car ( mind you it’s AZ in June 100+ temps and we had waited in the sun 20 minutes to get to that point) for a dollar bill because we made a rounding error (don’t forget tax on the advertised price).
Once we FINALLY got the payment taken care of we had to wait in the heat and sun for 30 more minutes to get on the bus to the drop in.
It was 2 hours from our first arrival to actually getting in the water.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tori
Pittsburgh, PA2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
I normally do not complain about places but for this one I have to make a fuss! I was given a faulty tube (all of their tubes seem to have holes in them that are “redneck proof” and rematches) that ended up deflating within the first 10 mins of my 2 1/2 tube down the river and when I called to ask about a solution all the girl on the phone had to say to me was “nothing I can do”. Thankfully I can swim so I was not too mad at her response, although I feel like there should be plans in motion for things like this. What got me the most was the response I got back after asking for a refund. Let me also be clear NO waiver was signed and NO refund details (which are no refunds due to weather or water conditions nothing said about their faulty equipment) were discussed. After my two 1/2 hour trip down the river in my deflated tube that was so useless that I just started floating by myself, I asked for a refund and was immediately told no refund but I can give you a 10% discount for your next trip but do not get it twisted… if you lose one of their tubes you have to give them $30!!!!. When I explained that I live all the way in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and probably will never be back here again… I was still told we only give vouchers and I told her I would like to speak with someone else because this is just not acceptable. Then the girl gets her unprofessional “team supervisor” to come over and talk to us. He was the most rude and inefficient person I have ever met! He gave the most unapologetic sorry and seemed like he could care less or as if this always happens! You would think that with as many tourists they have they would as least have a little custom service … none at all. I could care less about the money but whatever happened to doing the right thing! All in all get it together and fix your personalities:)
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaylee Matula
1 contribution
May 2022
My boyfriend and I decided to go tubing as it was 102 out and he had never done it. I had been on the river at least 5 times before, all of which were good. Yet this trip was different. We were in a couples raft going down the rapids, when we started heading for the branches, I got to the edge of the raft and started paddling but the river was way to strong. My side of the tube directly hit one of the branches, and his side went under. The fear in his eyes told me something was very very bad. Shortly after he went under, the raft flipped and went completely over my head, the rapids pulled me under water and I couldn't breathe. My boyfriend grabbed one of the branches and quickly grabbed my hand before I was dragged too far. He pulled me in front of him and told me to grab the branch, we had to pull our way up and out of the tangled wood to try and make it to little beach about 8 feet away. I barely managed to pull my way out, my boyfriend let go of the branch and went under several times to try and boost me to get up. After 15 minutes of struggling in the deep, viscous water, we finally got out. My phone, speaker, raft, and everything was gone. My boyfriend thankfully had his phone so we could call someone. We called for help, and the officers seemed completely unphased. I am 16 years old, and my boyfriend is 17. We very nearly almost died, If it weren't for him I very well would've. The river doesn't have any warnings about the viscous rapids, and it is advertised as a family river. On its good days its very peaceful and relaxing but after this experience I feel I am still in shock. If you're planning on going, keep everything in bags, bring a paddle (even if your in a raft), wear lifejackets, and take the rapids very seriously.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celeste H
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
My daughter and I saw Salt River tubing on Instagram, we didn’t know this place even existed! We brought our own tubes and just paid for a tube bucket ($20) for our snacks and other stuff and the shuttle ($18 each). The day we were there the shuttle was only going to stops 2 & 4 (which is the 3 hour option). Floating down the river was so relaxing, the water was SO refreshing and the scenery is beautiful! My biggest suggestion is to have some sort of water shoes as the River is shallow in some areas and you have to walk in the water and there are lots of rocks. Overall, we had a great time and will definitely go again, but next time do the full run (which is 6 hours).
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dany G
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
Hello Everyone, Let me just start off with me and my family have came to Salt River many times before. The first couple of times we brought out our tubes and just wrapped each other’s tubes with Ropes so we can be together, it was fun and enjoyed the rapids but we started noticing how it can get dangerous if you are not well prepared.
1. Always have Children with Life Jackets as well of any Adult that can not swim.
2. Carry your phone and Keys in a Pouch where Water can not get in as well as have it tied up to your neck.
3. Bring some sort of Paddle because the current can wash your tube away to the side where all the Bushes and scary branches are and you can get hurt/scratched.
4. Carry a whistle (trust me) this one can be handy in case you have your tube popped and call for help. Some phones will not have signal.
will continue to my story to what happened this Memorial Day weekend.
Me, my Husband and my 9 year old Daughter decided to Kayak, we brought out our 3 person Kayak we went on our way Everything was going Amazing we were enjoying our selfs up until we reached rapids 2 the Unexpected happened our Kayak flipped over, the current was so strong I remember trying to balance myself to get up from the water but the rocks were just so slippery even with water shoes on, trying to reach my Daughter, Thank God my Husband had her ,he pushed us to the side where we could stand on our feet. The current took the Kayak and my Husband also went swimming towards it to go get it. After the current stopped my Husband was able to get the Kayak and push it safely to the side, but now he needed to come to us and there was no way of him getting to us with that current.
He went all terrain through all the bushes and scary plants to finally reaching me and my girl.
The danger did not stop, in order for us to get to our Kayak we needed to go through the water but we were holding on to branches and the current was just to much, finally some paddlers passed by and we screamed for Help. Thank Goodness for them. Seriously I am still frightened by this experience. I need to mention I had taken off my life jacket prior to flipping kayak. PLEASE stay vigilant wear your Life Jackets especially if you go with Children.
There are no signs. You really are on your own out there. STAY SAFE 👍🏻 I attached 1 picture of my bruising.
1. Always have Children with Life Jackets as well of any Adult that can not swim.
2. Carry your phone and Keys in a Pouch where Water can not get in as well as have it tied up to your neck.
3. Bring some sort of Paddle because the current can wash your tube away to the side where all the Bushes and scary branches are and you can get hurt/scratched.
4. Carry a whistle (trust me) this one can be handy in case you have your tube popped and call for help. Some phones will not have signal.
will continue to my story to what happened this Memorial Day weekend.
Me, my Husband and my 9 year old Daughter decided to Kayak, we brought out our 3 person Kayak we went on our way Everything was going Amazing we were enjoying our selfs up until we reached rapids 2 the Unexpected happened our Kayak flipped over, the current was so strong I remember trying to balance myself to get up from the water but the rocks were just so slippery even with water shoes on, trying to reach my Daughter, Thank God my Husband had her ,he pushed us to the side where we could stand on our feet. The current took the Kayak and my Husband also went swimming towards it to go get it. After the current stopped my Husband was able to get the Kayak and push it safely to the side, but now he needed to come to us and there was no way of him getting to us with that current.
He went all terrain through all the bushes and scary plants to finally reaching me and my girl.
The danger did not stop, in order for us to get to our Kayak we needed to go through the water but we were holding on to branches and the current was just to much, finally some paddlers passed by and we screamed for Help. Thank Goodness for them. Seriously I am still frightened by this experience. I need to mention I had taken off my life jacket prior to flipping kayak. PLEASE stay vigilant wear your Life Jackets especially if you go with Children.
There are no signs. You really are on your own out there. STAY SAFE 👍🏻 I attached 1 picture of my bruising.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika
Prescott, AZ16 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was overcast on a Monday so perfect time to go. Water was a little low so gotta keep butts up in those areas. Reading other reviews helped us to bring rope and we bought a $10 twin fitted sheet at Walmart to keep two tubes together and rented the bucket tube. Perfect day!
Written August 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl H
37 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Always a good time but their website could have been more precise on how kids can attend. We paid over $250 to tube and upon arrival were told we couldn't do the entire trip but half. When booking online this was not mentioned, only that smaller kids need life vests, which we bought on site so there'd be no issues about brand or anything... This was the first time we've brought kids, and all the times there's been no notice or signs posted that they can only do a half trip. Since that's the case, tickets should be cheaper for half trips.
Otherwise, always a great time
Otherwise, always a great time
Written June 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Elk Grove Village, IL3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The entire experience was outstanding. The staff made the process very easy. Everyone we dealt with were friendly, helpful and overall pleasant. The tubing trip was awesome and a great way to beat the heat of Phoenix. We saw horses on the trip and they walked into the water as we tubed down the river. I highly recommend and the professionalism of the staff if second to none. I left my pack with car keys on the shuttle bus. The person on my end used the radio to notify the bus driver and my keys were waiting at office. Thanks for a great overall experience.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maybe a silly question, but would you suggest wearing bathing suit or just old shorts and shirt?
Written September 16, 2024
Myself and whomever I go with, we wear shorts and T-shirts plus water socks cuz it can get slippery on the rocks. If you're renting a rubber tube, bring a big towel to cover it and then sit in it. The tube get hot.
Written October 1, 2024
I know you can bring pets but if were taking the bus can we bring them on there, I have a small 4 pound chihuahua. Not sure if i would want to bring him this is just a just in case kinda question, thanks!
Written March 20, 2024
What’s the deal with kids under 8 if we bring our own equipment and drive ourselves
Written July 7, 2019
I’ve seen many children younger than 8 on the river, of course wearing a life jacket with their own purchased tubes. Salt river tubing company don’t rent tubes to anyone younger than 8 for liability purposes. The float from 2-4 was nice, some fast rapids but not too bad where you would tip over.
Written July 12, 2019
Not at the loading spots for the river bus. If you want to grill you would have to drive down the road to a park area along the river.
Written May 22, 2019
Besides uber and lyft (as I hear they don’t usually frequent the area for rides home) does anyone have transportation suggestions to and from our hotel?
Written February 4, 2019
Rent a car. Then visit Mammoth mine and steakhouse in the afternoon.
Written March 16, 2019
Is this something that you can do year round? I am going at Christmas time with my family and thought this would be awesome.
Written November 28, 2018
It is only open during the summer, however you can take a Saguaro lake tour on the steamboat dolly in the winter. Just go to Saguaro lake website and it should pop up. there is also a restraint overlooking the lake.
Written December 7, 2018
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