The Salt River is a spring-fed desert river running through a deep limestone canyon in central Arizona. Famous for warm weather boating, lush riparian corridors, and fun, pool-drop rapids during the spring runoff season. Trips typically range from 1-5 days.
Will the Salt run this year?
Arizona SNOTEL stations for the Salt River Basin are one predictor for the Salt running each spring. You’ll want to see January or February snow water equivalent measurements at 100% of the median. If SNOTEL measurements are below that, then your spring trip will likely depend on late season snow, or isolated rain events.
Larger rafts 14’ and above generally target greater than 1,000 CFS to float the Salt, with lighter rafts able to float as low as 800 CFS. The Salt remains runnable between 400 and 800 CFS for small boats and kayaks. Some boaters who are up for a pack rafting adventure will float the Salt below 400 CFS.
Seasonality
Winter months on the Salt can be very cold with unpredictable flows. Boaters should be prepared for freezing conditions and flash flooding.
Summer months tend to dry out the river, and floating after May is unlikely. Multi-day windows may open with significant weather events in the summer and fall. Make sure to subscribe to alerts so you can take advantage of these last-minute opportunities.
Outfitters
Permits and Access
Boater permits are required from March 1 to mid-May. While recreation.gov permits aren’t required to float the river outside of that time period, you’ll need a White Mountain Apache Tribe permit if you plan to float through the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
Quick Links
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Current Availability
The following dates have one or more sites available
We haven't checked live availability for this river yet.
Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Salt River Canyon?
1,220 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
400 – 10,000 CFS
Key Dates
Here are some key dates to remember for Salt River Canyon.
Nov 30 @ 5PM MST – Jan 31 @ 4:59PM MST
12:01am MST
Lottery results available in your Recreation.gov account at 12:01am Arizona time
11:59pm MST
8am MST
Jan 1 @ 5:30AM MST – Dec 31 @ 5:30AM MST
Permit Details
First-come, first-served availability for cancelled reservations available on Recreation.gov at 8:00am Arizona time on February 21
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Salt River Canyon.
Do I need a permit to run the Salt River Canyon in Arizona?
Yes — a permit from Recreation.gov is required to float the Salt River Canyon. First-come, first-served availability for cancelled reservations opens at 8:00 AM Arizona time on February 21 each year.
What class of rapids does the Salt River Canyon have?
The Salt River Canyon in central Arizona features Class III–IV pool-drop rapids through a deep limestone gorge. The spring-fed flows create powerful, splashy drops between calm pools perfect for swimming and exploring the lush riparian corridor.
When is the Salt River Canyon runnable?
The Salt River Canyon runs during Arizona's spring rainy season and snowmelt, typically from late February through May. By June the river usually drops below runnable levels as temperatures soar and flows decrease.
What are the ideal flow levels for the Salt River Canyon?
The Salt River Canyon runs best between 400 and 10,000 CFS. Most paddlers prefer flows of 1,000–4,000 CFS for the best Class III–IV experience; higher flows above 6,000 CFS create big-water conditions that require significant experience.
How long is a Salt River Canyon trip in Arizona?
Most Salt River Canyon trips run 3–5 days, covering approximately 50 miles of river through the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. The outstanding spring weather, warm water, and spectacular desert scenery make this one of Arizona's premier multi-day paddling destinations.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Salt River Canyon?