Salt River Tubing and Recreation (SRTR), in the beautiful Tonto National Forest, is opening for its 41st season on May 1. Daily operating hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the latest tube rental is 2 p.m., weather and water flow conditions permitting.
Come celebrate SRTR’s 41st anniversary with two themed events in May.
Rocking Rodeo Roundup! YeeHaw!
Calling all Buckaroos! It’s tubing time. Join SRTR at its 41st Anniversary Rocking Rodeo Roundup Celebration. Free cowboy bandanas while supplies last.
The hoedown is Saturday, May 15, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the cost is only $19 plus tax and fees per person or tube which includes tube rental, shuttle bus ride, and free customer parking.
The buckaroo event will offer live entertainment with a radio station on-site, cowboy line dancing, pony races, steer lassoing, and free giveaways.
Henri Breault, president and chief executive officer of SRTR, says “Looking for a unique, western adventure in the great outdoors? Salt River Tubing’s Rocking Rodeo Roundup event embodies the old West with stagecoach shuttles to and from the Lower Salt River in Tonto National Forest! Cowboy fun for everyone!”
Western attire is optional for tubers, however SRTR will be awarding free tube rental passes (valid on return visit) for the Best Cowboy and Cowgirl tuber costumes.
Memorial Day Weekend Floating Beach Blast
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend and join us for the 26th Annual Salt River Heroes = Litter Zero holiday event!
Enjoy a Floating Beach Blast and show your pride as public lands stewards in helping to keep the Salt River clean and beautiful. The Take Pride in America litter prevention initiative kicks off on Memorial Day holiday weekend, Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost is only $19 plus tax per person or tube which includes tube rental, shuttle bus ride, and free customer parking.
Salt River Tubing will be distributing free patriotic bandanas while supplies last.
“During the past 25 years, responsible tubers have greatly contributed to helping to protect and conserve the Lower Salt River’s natural resources,” Henri said. “Their public lands stewardship of stashing and bagging their picnic litter while floating helps to ensure that this recreational paradise will be enjoyed by future generations. We invite everyone to experience an Arizona floating tradition on Memorial Day weekend in Tonto National Forest’s mini-Grand Canyon on the Lower Salt River!”
The Memorial Day holiday weekend on the Lower Salt River has been a celebration for millions of floaters during the past 40 years. Family reunions as well as college and high school reunions have enjoyed a unique Arizona tradition in the great outdoors.
In the past 25 years, the nationally acclaimed Take Pride in America program has reduced the amount of picnic trash on the Lower Salt River by over 90 percent. To date, 820 tons of picnic trash has been stashed and bagged during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.
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).
Recreate Responsibly with Safe Distancing
SRTR encourages floaters to help ensure a responsible safe distancing atmosphere at the terminal building and on its shuttle buses during transport to the Salt River. SRTR’s safety protocols require a face covering during the Tube Rental Transaction process, shuttle bus transport to/from the Salt River as well as during the Tube Return process at the end of the floater’s visit. No exceptions.
- SRTR requires its employees to wear face coverings as well as gloves.
- Daily temperature checks are administered.
- SRTR’s passenger buses have been downsized to transporting twenty (20) passengers per bus.
- Shuttle buses are disinfected nightly (every 24 hours).
- SRTR enforces safe distancing between guests awaiting the tube rental transaction process, and last but not least, family and/or friends that have traveled together in vehicles may choose not to socially distance themselves since they chose to travel together with said precautions.
- Safety protocol signage will be posted at the Terminal Building and Bus Stops #1, #2, and #4.
Safety protocols subject to change at SRTR’s discretion.
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 eight years or older and four 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.
- Sun block, tennis shoes and a cap or visor should be worn. A minimum 30 SPF is recommended.
- Ice chest/coolers: Fill with ice, sport drinks, fruit juice and water. One to two bottles of water per hour while floating is recommended to help prevent dehydration.
Salt River Tubing accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards and cash. Credit card and cash transactions require a valid driver’s license for tube rental deposits and credit card information. Please visit saltrivertubing.com for more details regarding credit card transactions.
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 these May events, please visit saltrivertubing.com, or call (480) 984-3305.