2026
March 26 – 30 Open for Reservation
Trip Price $2169
We seek out prime dates for the best water levels and weather.
5 day / 4 night raft-supported camp trip
Difficulty: Class III+/IV
Distance: 52 miles
Average Gradient: 40 ft/mile,
Raft Support: Momentum River Expeditions*
“I have learned so much from you – not only kayaking. You are good stuarts to the environment and living with ‘good intentions’ and are just great people to be around.”
-Roni D
If you are looking for a high intensity river to start your spring boating season early, let us introduce you to the rare and exhilarating Salt River. The Salt River is without a doubt a Southwestern gem, nestled just outside of Phoenix, AZ. In the land of Saguaro cacti and granite boulders, the river tumbles on through the 32,100-acre Salt River Canyon Wilderness. Since there are only two commercial launches a day on the Wild and Scenic section of the Salt, you get the feeling that you have the river all to yourself. A secluded and pristine environment is one of the many perks we enjoy on the Salt River.
On our kayaking trip, we will spend five delightful spring days bouncing down high quality, back to back rapids, and soaking in the dramatic desert views. Over the duration of the trip we will see class II boogie, 14 class III rapids, and 8 class IV rapids. With flows ranging from 600-4000 cfs the characteristics could be those of a creeky boulder garden, to a fluffy multi-move wonderland. Either way, come prepared for lots of action. Once the daily excitement comes to a close, at camp we will have lots of cozy hang out options for whatever spring weather we are gifted as we relax and indulge in delicious warm meals and stories around the campfire.
The Salt begins 150 miles east of Phoenix high in the White Mountains, draining melting snow off of 11403’ Baldy peak, Arizona’s second highest mountain. Below the peak the White and the Black rivers merge to form the Salt, the largest river entirely within Arizona. From there the river tumbles through the lands of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and San Carlos Indian Reservation and into Tonto National Forest and the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. Along the way it cuts through the transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Region, exposing 1.4 million year old granite, some of the oldest rocks in North America.
Very few rivers still flow through the Saguaro forests of the Sonoran desert, and the wilderness section of the Salt is the only one with raftable flows and whitewater. The trip begins in oak and juniper woodlands and then cuts through rugged mountains dotted with stately saguaros and past meadows carpeted with blooming purple, yellow, red, and white cactus and desert flowers. Side creeks regularly enter with cool shaded pools, waterfalls, and slot canyons and washes to explore. Seeing the Sonoran desert by river in all its spring glory is an incredible experience.
The whitewater on the Salt is a big part of its uniqueness and overall quality. There is whitewater every day and in the first 37 miles, rapids come one after another with a frequency that is rare on a desert wilderness trip. The stretch begins with 14 miles of exciting but more mild class III whitewater as the Salt carves through a mostly sedimentary canyon. At mile 14 the Salt enters the first of three narrow granite gorges, the whitewater intensifies, and for the next 23 miles there are Class III and IV rapids every day. The whitewater climaxes in an ancient, dramatic, and jagged quartzsite canyon, at the infamous Quartzite Falls and Corkscrew rapids. In these rugged bedrock chasms the Salt shows its unique combination of boulder-strewn rapids reminiscent of California’s Sierra Nevada alongside the stunning scenery of the desert Southwest.
Despite draining the wettest part of the state the season on the Salt is early and unpredictable, and average seasons are rare. But in good snow years from early March to late April, when other places are still digging out of the snow, the Upper Salt offers warm sun, the twinkling desert skies, and some of the most unique early season kayaking and rafting anywhere.
The trip begins near Globe, AZ and ends near Pheonix, AZ
All rapids and daily miles depend on the flow of the trip. The camps are first come first serve, our sample itinerary is based on a rough estimate of 7-10 miles a day. Any hiking is dependent on the river miles we can make in a day.
Day 1 We will all gather at the Put-In boat ramp of the “Daily” section of the Salt. Starting off with a brief warm-up, then tackling multiple class III rapids, like Maytag, Overboard, and Exhibition rapids. Part way through the day we float past one of the larger salt springs sacred to the native tribes. The day on the water comes to a close with a few class IV rapids like Mescal Falls and Ledges.
Day 2 We have a nice morning and a relatively mellow day in reference to the frequency of rapids. With only two stand-out class IV rapids Eye of the Needle and Black Rock.
Day 3 A nice build of some class III rapids like Devils Pendejo and Pinball give a warm-up for the last few stand-out class IV rapids of the trip, The Maze, Quartzite Falls, and Corkscrew.
Day 4 The river starts its mellow descent into lovely class II boogie after our last class III Cliff Hangar rapid. Throughout our float this day, there are zones with Bald Eagle nesting sites; the spring is their mating season.
Day 5 After some more class II boogie and our last bit of river time bliss, we will finish our float together at the Hwy 288 bridge where our personal vehicles will be shuttled.
