PLACES TO PADDLE

LOWER SALT RIVER

Kayak and paddleboard the Salt. Rent from us in Mesa, 10 minutes from the river.

Book your rental Pick a route

1 · PICK UPRedline, Mesa6343 E Main St · Power and Main

10 MIN

2 · PADDLELower Salt RiverBelow Saguaro Lake, off Bush Hwy

No truck? No problem. We fit 6 paddleboards or 2 kayaks on any vehicle and load them for you.

CLASS IMild, easy-moving water

~11 MILESof flowing river below Saguaro Lake

500–1,500cfs is the sweet spot

1–6+ HRSdepending on your route

LIVE RIVER FLOW

[LIVE CFS]

Your live gauge goes here. Floatable down to about 300 cfs.

Water low? Still go. When Stewart Mountain Dam shuts off, the top half of the Lower Salt gets too low. Phon D Sutton to Granite Reef stays floatable all winter, about 1¼–2 hours.

Friends with a kayak and paddleboard on the Salt River

Pick your route

Times are estimates. Flow, wind and how often you stop all change them.

1–2 HRS Phon D Sutton → Granite Reef Floatable all winter. Set up your pickup at Granite Reef ahead of time.

1–2 HRS Pebble Beach → Goldfield The most popular start. Big parking lot, easy walk to the water.

1–2 HRS Goldfield → Phon D Sutton Passes Coon Bluff. Goldfield is known for wild horses.

1–2 HRS Water Users → Pebble Beach Moving water and Devil’s Elbow. More of a ride.

3–4 HRS Water Users → Phon D Sutton The classic half-day float.

ALL DAY Water Users → Granite Reef The whole run. Can go past 6 hours when the water is slow.

Two friends laughing in kayaks among the Salt River rocks

Launch and take-out spots

1 Water UsersFarthest upstream launch. Moving water, rocks, Devil’s Elbow.
2 Pebble BeachThe usual start. Bigger parking lot, easy walk to the river.
3 Blue PointSmaller lot. Puts you upstream of Devil’s Elbow.
4 Sheep’s CrossingSkips Devil’s Elbow. Rocky walk with gear.
5 GoldfieldPopular launch and pickup, about halfway. Wild horse country.
6 Coon BluffHandy stop or pickup between Goldfield and Phon D Sutton.
7 Phon D SuttonBig recreation area. Popular finish for longer trips.
8 Granite ReefLast stop on the river. You can also start here and paddle upstream.

Listed upstream to downstream. It's a one-way float, so plan a second car or a pickup at your take-out.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

More about Lower Salt River

About the Salt River

The Salt River runs about 200 miles through Gila and Maricopa counties and is the largest tributary of the Gila River, draining about 13,700 square miles.

The Lower Salt is the roughly 11 miles of flowing water below Saguaro Lake, close to Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. It winds through the Sonoran Desert and Tonto National Forest, with mountain views, sandy beaches and calm stretches.

Kayaking and paddleboarding the Lower Salt

Most trips run 1 to 6 hours, or you can make it an all-day paddle. Pebble Beach is the favorite place to start, with a bigger lot and an easy walk to the water. Goldfield, Coon Bluff and Phon D. Sutton all work as pickups for shorter or longer trips.

Paddle times are estimates. Flow, wind, water releases and stops all change your pace, so plan for slower conditions on long routes.

Wildlife on the Lower Salt

Wild horses, bald eagles and blue herons live along the river. Wild horses are often seen near Goldfield. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Floating the river with one car

Park at Granite Reef and paddle upstream, or use a rideshare to get back to your car.

Renting a kayak or paddleboard for the Salt River

Every rental from Redline includes paddles, life jackets, foam roof blocks and tie-down straps, and we help you load up. No roof rack needed. Rent 2 days and the 3rd day is free. See rental rates or read our rental FAQs.