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Lower Salt River Kayak & Paddleboard Tour

Guided ·

5.0

(640)

Mesa• Phoenix• Scottsdale• Tempe

Kid Friendly

Locally Owned

Wildlife

Small Group Sizes

Beginner Friendly

Free Cancellation

Instant Book

Duration: 3.5 hours

Pricing

Inflatable SUP

$130

1 Person Hard Kayak Rental

$130

2 Person Hard Kayak Rental

$260

Description

Lower Salt River Paddle Tour - See Salt River Wild Horses!

Experience one of Arizona’s most iconic paddling adventures on a guided kayak or paddleboard tour of the Lower Salt River. This scenic stretch of river winds through the Tonto National Forest and is best known for its wild horse population, often seen grazing or drinking along the riverbanks. With calm water punctuated by mild rapids, this tour offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure in a stunning desert setting.

Your experienced, certified guides will lead you through approximately seven miles of river, teaching you how to navigate moving water while sharing insight into the area’s wildlife, history, and natural environment. Depending on water flow, you’ll encounter Class I and occasional Class II rapids, making this tour approachable for beginners while still exciting for experienced paddlers. Along the way, keep an eye out for river otters, bald eagles, and other native wildlife as the scenery changes with every bend in the river.

Running from late spring through fall, the Lower Salt River is one of the Phoenix area’s most beautiful waterways and offers a truly immersive desert paddling experience. Whether you choose a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, this guided tour is the best opportunity to experience the beauty, wildlife, and energy of the Salt River—especially the renowned Salt River wild horses.

Duration

3.5 hours

Location

Meet at Phon D Sutton Recreation Site on the Lower Salt River.

On the day of your tour, be sure to arrive 15 minutes early. Your Tonto National Forest Parking Pass will be provided at this time. Your guide will go over the equipment and safety prior to launching.

Ages & Requirements

Minimum age: 6 years old
Children under 12 years old are required to be in a double kayak with an adult guardian.
Participants should be able to swim.
All participants must wear a PFD during the tour. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Paddlers should be in good health. If you have any concerns or feel you may need assistance, please let our staff know during your booking.

What's Included

Kayak or SUP Board, Paddles & Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Dry bag for Valuables
Bottled Water
Light Snacks
Tonto Forest Parking Pass
Experienced & Certified Guides
GPS Location of Launch site
Shuttle – provided from the takeout site back to the launch site
Vault Toilets – available at launch and takeout sites but NO RUNNING WATER.

Not Included

Transportation – available for a minimum of 2 guests and can accommodate up to 12 guests total for an additional fee starting at $250.00.
Gratuity—Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides

What to Bring/Wear

Lightweight & quick-drying clothes (Rash guard, sun-protective shirt, board shorts)
Water shoes or all-terrain sandals
Sun hat & sunglasses
Water-resistant sunscreen
Extra Drinking Water & Snacks
Towel & Extra dry clothes (can be left in the car)

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Riverbound Sports Paddle Co.

FAQs

Are reservations required?

Reservations are required for all tours.

How many people can be in a group tour?

We offer tours for a minimum of two guests, with a ratio of 1 tour guide to 6 people and can have a max of 12 guests in a single tour. If you have a larger group, we offer private tours that can accommodate larger groups. As well as provide special accommodations to fit the needs of your private party.

Are there age & weight restrictions?

Our Kayaking and paddleboarding tours are available for anyone over 6 years old. Children under 12 may not paddle their own kayak or paddleboard and must ride with a parent or legal guardian. We do offer available tandem kayak options.

Paddlers should be in good health. If you have any concerns or feel you may need assistance, please let our staff know during your booking. Paddlers should be able to keep a moderate pace to stay with their guides.

Do you offer transportation?

Yes, we do! We offer convenient round-trip transportation to and from most local Scottsdale or East Valley hotels for an additional fee starting at $250.00.

Transportation service is available for a minimum of 2 guests and can accommodate up to 12 guests total.
This option is perfect for out-of-town visitors or groups looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy our guided kayaking and paddleboarding tours.

If you’d like to add transportation to your tour, just let us know when booking.

Do you offer tours with both paddleboards and kayaks?

Our kayak and paddleboard tours are scheduled at the same time for each tour destination (such as Saguaro Lake), and both paddleboards and kayaks are available for the event.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that circumstances arise, and we try to be as accommodating as possible. Please read the following to review our cancellation and rescheduling policies.

For guided and beach delivery reservations, a 48-hour notice is required in order to receive a full refund. You are able to reschedule your reservation up to 24 hours in advance, but that is subject to our availability. For reservations over $500, a 6% cancellation fee will be administered. Please send us an email or call us in order to cancel or reschedule your reservation.

Customers will receive a full refund in the event of operator cancellation due to unsafe weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. The company is not responsible for full parking lots, low river flow, or road closures.