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Salt River The Salt River offers some of the most diverse outdoor water recreation to be found in Arizona. The river can be broken down into two segments, the Upper Salt River and the Lower Salt River. The Upper Salt River The Salt River begins high in the White Mountains of northeastern Arizona. The river is formed by the confluence of the Black and White Rivers. This stretch of waterway, from the confluence to the Roosevelt Dam passes through the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and the Tonto National Forest making its way down to Roosevelt Lake. One of the most popular activities on the Upper Salt is whitewater rafting in the majestic Salt River Canyon. The canyon is located within the Fort Apache Reservation, and there are a few outfitters who offer excursions down the river. During snow run off in spring the Upper Salt River can produce as high as Class Four rapids.
Further down the river is Roosevelt Lake, the largest of the Salt River system, was once considered the largest man-made lake in the world. Recreational opportunities at Roosevelt Lake include swimming, camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, and sight seeing. Temperatures in the Tonto Basin area range from the low 20's in winter to around 115 degrees F. in summer. See a separate listing for Roosevelt Lake under "Attractions". The Lower Salt River Below Roosevelt Dam the Salt river twists and turns through a narrow canyon as it occasionally opens up into three lakes created by the Salt River Project. The first lake is Apache Lake. This long narrow lake offers great boating and fishing. Because of the gravel graded Apache Trail, access to the lake is a bit more difficult and therefore less crowded than the other Salt River lakes. The lake does feature a marina and there are numerous camp areas along the shoreline. Further down stream is Canyon Lake. This picturesque lake offers boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, camping, and rides on the popular Dolly Steamboat along the narrow canyon walls of the lake. There is a full-service marina here with dining facilities. The Apache Trail is paved until just beyond Canyon Lake so this area is substantially busier than Apache Lake. The paved road ends at Tortilla Flat, a unique place to travel for an afternoon meal (see Apache Trail in the Road Trip listings under Recreation on this web site). Beyond Canyon Lake lies the most popular lake on the river. Saguaro Lake has the easiest access from Fountain Hills and Mesa via the Bush Highway. Here boaters riding everything from personal watercraft to giant yachts cruise the length of the lake. Without a boat on this lake, visitors would never realize just how big Saguaro Lake really is. Looking east from the full-service marina and docks the largest section of the lake is visible, but beyond the canyon walls and a narrow river passage are two more bays, each becoming smaller the further you travel. Near the east end of the lake is where most boaters tend to spend the day, anchoring in the shadows of the shear canyon walls and on the limited number of sand bars. Those visiting Saguaro Lake without their own boat are in luck. Cruises on the Desert Belle paddle wheel boat leave from the marina docks daily and offer a great escape from the marina congestion and onto the open water. While cruising the lake be sure to watch for Big Horn Sheep often perched precariously on the sheer cliffs along the shore. Sighting a Big Horn is an exciting and somewhat rare photographic opportunity, so be sure to have your camera ready. Below Saguaro Lake the river passes through the Salt River Recreation Area. This tremendously popular area is home to Salt River Tubing and Recreation, an inner tube service that offers bus rides from the lower end of the area up to just below Saguaro Lake. Here tubers launch their inner tubes, partaking in a six-hour float down the river.
For further information about the attractions described above please visit the links below. Fort Apache Indian Reservation Salt River Tubing and Recreation SRP Customer
Information Center Tonto National Forest Roosevelt Lake: Apache Lake: Canyon Lake: Saguaro Lake and Desert
Belle Cruises: Apache Trail: Would you like to contribute
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