WHITE WATER RAFTING IN ARIZONA

The half-day trip covers 6 miles and departs at 10am, making it a good fit if your schedule is tight. The full-day trip covers 10 miles over 4-5 hours and includes a hot fajita lunch riverside. The Sprint Full-Day covers the same 10 miles with a later departure and no lunch stop, for guests who want the whitewater without the early morning or the extended day. Multi-day trips run from a 1-night campout up to 5 days and are the most immersive way to experience the Salt River Wilderness, with camping, meals, and gear all included.

All Salt River trips meet at the river, about 45 minutes north of Globe, Arizona. It’s an easy drive from both the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Popular sections include Browns Canyon (fun Class III rapids, great for most people), the Numbers (technical Class IV for adventurous rafters), and the Royal Gorge (big Class IV–V rapids for experienced paddlers). Family float sections like the Milk Run offer gentle Class II rapids.

Trips run in the spring, water levels permitting, since the Salt River depends on snowmelt from Arizona’s White Mountains. As of this writing, the 2026 season has wrapped and 2027 trips are open for booking. Because flows vary year to year, we recommend booking early once the season opens and checking in with us if your dates are toward the edges of the season.

Most Salt River trips run Class III-IV rapids, suitable for beginners and intermediate rafters ages 8 and up (10+ on multi-day trips). No previous rafting experience is required. Expert guides handle navigation and run a full safety orientation before you launch.

Yes. Arizona Rafting is our sister company, operating Salt River trips under the same ownership and safety standards as our Colorado operation.

Guests regularly spot desert bald eagles, deer, and bighorn sheep along the canyon, along with saguaro cactus and desert wildflowers depending on the season.