Best Things to Do in Arizona: Salt River Floating
One of the best ways to enjoy Arizona's 110+ summer days is on the water. In this video, we share a look at the stunning backdrop of the Salt River during our annual float trip. (Spoiler: The wild horses even make an appearance.) Check it out, then read our top Salt River floating tips here: 1️⃣ Floating is best in the summer months, as the water can get very cold. Unfortunately, everyone visiting Arizona has the same idea. If you're cool with a crowded river, don't sweat over what time you arrive. If you like a more peaceful scene, be on the river no later than 8 a.m. (Salt River Tubing, the company where visitors can rent tubes, opens at 8:30 a.m. We *highly* recommend getting a 30-minute start ahead of this.) Also, if you want to see wildlife, like we did on our last trip, go as early as possible. The horses in particular won't make an appearance if the river is too busy and loud. 2️⃣ Don't expect *any* cell service at river entrances or the exit (so forget calling an Uber). We recommend parking one car at either entrance #1 or #2 (depending on how far you want to float) and another car at the exit #4. 3️⃣ If you can, buy or get access to legit floats (we like these: https://bit.ly/34yXXM7, which also come in a single size). If you rent from Salt River Tubing, you get cheap donut tubes with no built-in coolers or storage space. If you must rent your tubes, bring an old bed sheet to lay over the tube and sit in so there's some sort of netting between your butt and the water. 4️⃣ No matter where your tubes come from, bring paddles. You *will* run into a few fast-moving currents that'll have you bumping into trees and/or rocks if you don't have something to paddle away. 5️⃣ Wear water shoes. We cannot stress this enough. Without them, you will cut your foot on the rocks or lose your flip flops – and walking back on scolding hot sand with no shoes is not fun. What other tips do you have for Salt River floating? Put 'em in the comments! Subscribe to Finding Utopia so you can be the first to experience our latest adventures and learn the best things to do in Arizona, around the US, and across the globe. You'll also get travel tips and advice on international travel.
One of the best ways to enjoy Arizona's 110+ summer days is on the water. In this video, we share a look at the stunning backdrop of the Salt River during our annual float trip. (Spoiler: The wild horses even make an appearance.) Check it out, then read our top Salt River floating tips here: 1️⃣ Floating is best in the summer months, as the water can get very cold. Unfortunately, everyone visiting Arizona has the same idea. If you're cool with a crowded river, don't sweat over what time you arrive. If you like a more peaceful scene, be on the river no later than 8 a.m. (Salt River Tubing, the company where visitors can rent tubes, opens at 8:30 a.m. We *highly* recommend getting a 30-minute start ahead of this.) Also, if you want to see wildlife, like we did on our last trip, go as early as possible. The horses in particular won't make an appearance if the river is too busy and loud. 2️⃣ Don't expect *any* cell service at river entrances or the exit (so forget calling an Uber). We recommend parking one car at either entrance #1 or #2 (depending on how far you want to float) and another car at the exit #4. 3️⃣ If you can, buy or get access to legit floats (we like these: https://bit.ly/34yXXM7, which also come in a single size). If you rent from Salt River Tubing, you get cheap donut tubes with no built-in coolers or storage space. If you must rent your tubes, bring an old bed sheet to lay over the tube and sit in so there's some sort of netting between your butt and the water. 4️⃣ No matter where your tubes come from, bring paddles. You *will* run into a few fast-moving currents that'll have you bumping into trees and/or rocks if you don't have something to paddle away. 5️⃣ Wear water shoes. We cannot stress this enough. Without them, you will cut your foot on the rocks or lose your flip flops – and walking back on scolding hot sand with no shoes is not fun. What other tips do you have for Salt River floating? Put 'em in the comments! Subscribe to Finding Utopia so you can be the first to experience our latest adventures and learn the best things to do in Arizona, around the US, and across the globe. You'll also get travel tips and advice on international travel.