Celebrate the 12th annual National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day) event at Salt River Tubing on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The first 1,000 buccaneers will receive a free pirate bandana. Salt River Tubing also will award free tubing passes for the best pirate tuber costumes.
Invited exhibitors for this fan-favorite event are Tonto National Forest and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Lake Patrol. Extra splash and sizzle includes live entertainment by 101.5 FM radio station, pirate coin grabs, water cannon battles and free giveaways. Forest Service Honorary Dignitary Francisco Valenzuela, regional director of recreation, heritage and wilderness resources for the Southwestern Region, together with Pastor Don Liles, will officiate the opening ceremony for National Get Outdoors Day.
“GO Day is keyed to enticing first-time visitors to the great outdoors and enjoy the mountain-stream waters of the Salt River while floating in the mini-Grand Canyon of Tonto National Forest,” said Salt River Tubing President and Chief Executive Officer Henri Breault.
“Our recreational paradise is a fun-filled adventure in the great outdoors. Pirates will set sail in their tubes on the Salt River, brandishing pirate hats, waving pirate flags and humming Yo, Ho, Ho, and a bottle of water,” Henri continued. “Buccaneers can kick up their heels with the pirate line dancers, grab a photo opportunity with Smokey Bear, and ride our pirate warships (shuttle buses) to and from the Salt River. Join us for a unique river adventure in the great outdoors of Tonto National Forest.”
The pilot effort of National Get Outdoors Day was launched on June 14, 2008. Building on the success of More Kids in the Woods and other important efforts to connect Americans—and especially children—with nature and active lifestyles, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition agreed to lead an inclusive, nationwide effort focusing on a single day when people would be inspired and motivated to get outdoors.
GO Day partnered with federal, state and local agencies, key enthusiast organizations and recreation businesses to create a healthy, fun day of outdoor adventure aimed at reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting children to the outdoors.
Salt River Tubing operates in Tonto National Forest under permit of the USDA Forest Service.
Daily operating hours at Salt River Tubing are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost of tube rental is $17 plus tax and fees per person or tube, which includes inner tube rental, shuttle bus service and free parking at Salt River Tubing.
Tubing 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:
- A valid driver’s license is required for a tube rental deposit per five tubes rented.
- Children must be at least 8 years or older and 4 feet tall for tubing and shuttle bus service.
- Life vests are strongly 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. Responsibly appoint a designated driver before your tubing 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. One to two bottles of water per hour while floating are recommended to help prevent dehydration.
Salt River Tubing is located in Northeast Mesa, just minutes from Highway 202 East and Power Road (North) Exit 23A, in beautiful Tonto National Forest.
For more information about Salt River Tubing and National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day), please visit saltrivertubing.com, or call (480) 984-3305.