Quick Start Guide To Kayak On The Salt River
Are Kayaks Allowed On The Salt River?
Yes, you can kayak on the lake, and the kayak remains one of the most popular vessels on the lake.
Visitors, locals, and students can easily rent a kayak from rental businesses in town. However most of the locals will often bring their own kayaks tied to the top of their SUVs to the lake for exercise and fun.
There are two parts of the Salt River that are referred to as the Upper Salt River and the Lower Salt River. It is considered to be safe for kayakers to paddle on the Lower Salt River. Whitewater kayaking on the Upper Salt River requires a certain skill level, so it is best for beginners to stick with the Lower Salt River.
The Salt River supplies water to Phoenix and to Mesa, the location of the Lower Salt River. It is located inside the Tonto National Forest, so paddlers will need a pass to paddle in this location.
There is an added bonus for kayakers traveling on the Lower Salt River. The surprise is that you may see some wild horses along the way. The horses prefer the cooler weather, so you can expect to see some late in the evening or in the wee hours of the morning. There are about 500 wild horses in this area.
Best Times of the Day to Kayak the Salt River
Kayaking the Salt River, many paddlers prefer to be on the water in the early morning, preferably before 7 AM. Seeing a variety of wildlife is more likely at this time. Many birds are on their early morning flights including bald eagles. You may also see a mountain lion, mountain goat, deer, or even a coatimundi on the shore as you paddle by.
The park opens at 5 AM and closes at 9 PM daily between May 1 and October 31, which makes early morning kayaking easy to do. Once campers are awake and workers have arrived at the park, more human activity makes it less likely to see wild animals.
Furthermore, if you kayaking on a Saturday or Sunday the lake can get very busy and windy, so most kayakers will either go out in the morning, or stick close to shore during the day to avoid all the boating traffic.
Best Time of Year to Kayak the Salt River
Most kayakers agree that the best time for kayaking on the Salt River is in the Spring or Fall. The temperatures are warm, yet not overpowering. May and June plus September and October are popular months because of lower daytime temperatures.
The summer months in Arizona are extremely hot, making it uncomfortable under the summer sun with an average temperature of 98+ degrees or above in the daytime. The hottest weather begins at the end of May and lasts through September. July is the hottest month of the year with temperatures averaging 106 degrees!
Salt River Kayak Launch Sites
There are two primary recreation sites along the Lower Salt River which are popular spots for launching your kayak.
One of them is Blue Point, and the other one is across the highway called Pebble Beach.
You can also launch your kayak from any of the recreation sites along the river.
Best Places to Kayak on the Salt River
Newbies or those who want more experience before meeting the rapids will appreciate the Lower Salt River. Most areas are devoid of rapids, but there are a few challenging spots for the beginner. Lower Salt River is recommended for all skill levels of kayakers.
Experienced kayakers will easily handle any rapids on the Lower Salt River. Those who are inexperienced in the sport may want to avoid certain areas by launching their kayak beyond these challenging spots.
During the summer tubers and others will come to the Salt River to party and have a good time.
If you’re into being involved in a fun party atmosphere arrive to the river around 11am -2 pm.
However, if you want to avoid the party-goers arrive 8-10 am to start your float down the Salt River.
Where to Rent a Kayak Nearby
The Salt River is located in the outer city of Mesa so there are kayak rental businesses in this city. Not all boat rental locations rent kayaks.
Kayak rentals can also be rented from Riverbound Sports in Tempe and be brought to the Salt River.
There are no placed on the Salt River to currently rent kayaks.
Can I Bring My Own Kayak to the Salt River?
Yes, you can bring your own kayak to the Salt River. In fact, this may be easier than traveling to the nearby city of Mesa to find a kayak rental.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Into the Salt River?
A daily pass to park in the Salt River costs $8.00. Visitors may choose to buy an Annual Pass for $80. There is also a $4 daily watercraft sticker pass per watercraft.
Do I Need to Pay for an Extra Permit to Kayak?
Watercraft on the Salt River must have a watercraft sticker. This daily sticker will be paid for upon entry when you pay your vehicle parking fee.
What Do I Need To Bring To Kayak on the Salt River?
Kayakers will want to bring some gear with them that will help them have a comfortable, safe time on the lake. You will probably want to pack these things for your paddling adventure:
Planning ahead of what to bring on your trip to the Salt River will make your adventure much more fun when you have the basics that you need.
Nearby at Saguaro Lake, The Shiprock Restaurant offers carry-out and eat-in food at the Saguaro Lake Marina. Other restaurants are nearby in Mesa.
Other Things to Know about Salt River Kayaking
Tubing is also very popular on the Lower Salt River. Tubers are usually young people who are sometimes known as “party people.” They often become rambunctious and loud. If you want to avoid them, you can begin your trip from the next area to avoid them.
Kayaking and SUPs are also popular on the river.
The river runs downstream for 18 miles.
Other animals you may see while kayaking Lower Salt River are roadrunners, saguaro, and many species of fish and birds.
The deepest area of Lower Salt River is only 7.4 feet.
You can launch from The Bridge for a shorter trip and to avoid a few rapids.
Some paddlers enjoy kayaking from the Lower Salt River to Saguaro Lake. Once at the lake, they can eat some food and relax for a while.
The open-or-closed status of many trails, campsites, and others are posted online. It is a good idea to check these before beginning your trip in case your plan changes.
George Servinson
My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.
