Salt River Tubing kicks off the Memorial Day weekend from Saturday, May 26 to Monday,
May 28, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with its Take Pride in America litter prevention initiative.
The 23rd annual Salt River Heroes = Litter Zero event has reduced the amount of picnic trash on the Lower Salt River by 90 percent in the past 22 years as responsible public lands stewards have stashed and bagged their trash while floating. To date, 748 tons of picnic trash has been bagged in the free litter bags distributed by Salt River Tubing during the Take Pride in America events on Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.
“Our company is very appreciative of the responsible Salt River Heroes who have contributed greatly in helping to keep the Salt River clean and beautiful for the past 22 years,” said Salt River Tubing President and Chief Executive Officer Henri Breault. “Their efforts in stashing and bagging their picnic trash while floating helps ensure the Lower Salt River Recreational Area is a recreational paradise to be enjoyed by future generations.”
“Everyone is invited to experience the great outdoors in Tonto National Forest’s Mini-Grand Canyon of the Salt River during the holiday weekend. Enjoy a leisurely float on the cool and inviting mountain stream waters, and catch a glimpse of the diverse wildlife, including blue herons and the Salt River wild horses,” Henri continued.
“Parking spaces are limited during the holiday weekend, so we encourage you to be an early bird floater,” he suggested. “Salt River Tubing employees will distribute free patriotic leis to the first 500 tubers each day during the holiday weekend as they prepare to launch a memorable adventure on the Salt River.
Check out Salt River Tubing’s slideshow, featuring Salt River Heroes at
saltrivertubing.com or vimeo.com/128107538.”
The Take Pride in America event at Salt River Tubing will include live entertainment by KNIX-FM 102.5 and KISS-FM 104.7 radio stations, free giveaways, beach line dancing and hula hoop contests. Salt River Tubing employees will distribute free litter bags to everyone to stash and bag their picnic litter.
Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers to put their love of country to work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and other recreation areas. Salt River Tubing has received a record four National Take Pride in America awards for the company’s conservation efforts in Tonto National Forest (1991, 2003, 2006 and 2010).
Tubing Facts and Tips
- Shooting the Salt River rapids is great fun, and company officials recommend the following helpful tubing tips to assist tubers in planning their floating beach blasts for the holiday weekend:
- The cost is only $17 per person or tube plus tax and fees, which includes tube rental, shuttle bus ride and free customer parking at Salt River Tubing.
- Salt River Tubing accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. Credit card and cash transactions require a valid driver’s license for tube rental deposit and credit card identification. Please visit saltrivertubing.com for details regarding credit card transactions.
- A valid driver’s license is required for a tube rental deposit per five tubes rented.
- Children must be at least 8 years old and 4 feet tall for tubing and shuttle bus service.
- Life vests are recommended for children, non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers.
- Glass containers by law are not allowed in the Salt River Recreational Area. Ice chests will be inspected for glass containers before boarding shuttle buses. Please use plastic bottles or aluminum can containers.
- Have a great time during your floating beach blasts, but remember that drugs, alcohol and the Salt River do not mix. Appoint a designated driver before your adventure.
- Floating picnic ideas include fresh fruit, burritos, fried chicken or sandwiches. Pack picnic items in Ziploc bags to keep dry. Please stash and bag all picnic supplies in litter bags while floating.
- Ice chest/coolers—Fill with ice, sport drinks, fruit juice and water. Consuming one to two bottles of water per hour while floating is recommended to help prevent dehydration.
- Sun block, tennis shoes and a cap or visor should be worn. A minimum 30 SPF is recommended.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend operating hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the latest tube rental is 2 p.m., weather and water flow conditions permitting.
Salt River Tubing is located in Northeast Mesa, just min-utes from Highway 202 East and Power Road Exit 23A.
For more information about Salt River Tubing, visit the website at www.saltrivertubing.com, or call (480) 984-3305 at Salt River Tubing headquarters.