Discover Arizona’s Lower Salt River on a guided kayak tour. Enjoy wildlife, serene views, and expert insights. Perfect for all skill levels.
Discover Arizona’s Lower Salt River on a guided kayak tour. Enjoy wildlife, serene views, and expert insights. Perfect for all skill levels.
-
Salt River - Embark on a kayaking adventure down a beginner-friendly river with Cliff Creek Outfitters’ guided raft tours on the Lower Salt River, located just outside Phoenix and Scottsdale.
This Class I river (the easiest rating on the international river difficulty scale) offers some of the finest opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird…
- Salt River - Embark on a kayaking adventure down a beginner-friendly river with Cliff Creek Outfitters’ guided raft tours on the Lower Salt River, located just outside Phoenix and Scottsdale.
This Class I river (the easiest rating on the international river difficulty scale) offers some of the finest opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching in the Southwest. Participants frequently spot wild horses and bald eagles during the tour! The guides are ready to share the area’s natural history and provide expert paddling instruction.
Launch locations are chosen based on current water flow to ensure the best experience, so start and end points may vary throughout the year. Water temperatures can range from approximately 60 degrees F in winter to the low 80s in summer. Swimming is possible year-round, though it can be quite refreshing in January!

- PFD (life jacket), dry bags
- Bottled water
- Kayak & paddles
- Professional guide
- Snacks
- Surcharges on fuel
- Roundtrip Transportation from Meeting Location (Canal/Hawes PNR: 3055 N Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85215)
- PFD (life jacket), dry bags
- Bottled water
- Kayak & paddles
- Professional guide
- Snacks
- Surcharges on fuel
- Roundtrip Transportation from Meeting Location (Canal/Hawes PNR: 3055 N Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85215)
- Guide gratuities are optional but appreciated.
- Guide gratuities are optional but appreciated.
Discover the tranquil charm of Arizona’s rivers with a guided kayak or flatwater tour. The Lower Salt River presents a picturesque desert oasis suitable for everyone. Participants glide in self-bailing tandem kayaks, with two individuals per vessel, while a guide provides instruction and insights about the Sonoran Desert. The river’s mild current…
Discover the tranquil charm of Arizona’s rivers with a guided kayak or flatwater tour. The Lower Salt River presents a picturesque desert oasis suitable for everyone. Participants glide in self-bailing tandem kayaks, with two individuals per vessel, while a guide provides instruction and insights about the Sonoran Desert. The river’s mild current ensures a leisurely float. Along the journey, there’s ample opportunity to swim, play, and admire the scenery, with close encounters with wildlife such as wild horses and great blue herons enhancing the experience. All necessary equipment is supplied, including paddles, dry bags, and life jackets, allowing you to unwind and savor an unforgettable day on the water.
Tours last approximately four hours, including travel to and from the river and the tour itself. This trip includes bottled water and snacks, raft/paddles, a life jacket, dry bags, round-trip transportation, and National Forest entry fees.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A minimum weight of 35 lbs is required
- A minimum of 4 people per booking is required
- We require solo-travelers to pay the minimum of the 4-person price. If you are a solo traveler and would like to be added on to a pre-formed group for this tour, please mention this upon booking.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.