Lower Salt River Rafting: Scenic Family-Friendly Tour

Experience a scenic and relaxing desert oasis on a family-friendly rafting trip down the Lower Salt River. Swim, play, and encounter wildlife in their natural habitat. Book now!

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Salt River - Experience a beginner-friendly rafting adventure with Cliff Creek Outfitters’ guided 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…
What's Included
  • Roundtrip Transportation from Meeting Location (Canal/Hawes PNR: 3055 N Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85215)
  • PFD (life jacket), dry bags
  • Professional guide
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Surcharges on fuel
  • Raft & paddles
What's Not Included
  • Guide gratuities are optional but appreciated.
Additional Information

Embark on a guided flatwater rafting adventure down the Lower Salt River and uncover a picturesque and tranquil desert oasis near Phoenix and Scottsdale. Enjoy swimming, playing, or simply unwinding on the river while taking in the beautiful scenery. This activity is perfect for families, offering something for everyone. While some paddling is…

Location
3055 N Power Rd
North Power Road
* Look for signs for the Canal/Hawes Park & Ride. * Two entrances into lot: one at the light at N Power Rd and E Preston St and one 0.1 miles north on Power Rd. * Look for the CCO van towards the north end of the lot. Please arrive early.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(53 Ratings)
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Z1102gtjerrys
Jun 2, 2026
Wild horses, cold water, and a funny story - The pick up van was on time/early so there was no wait at the pick up point. From there we rode to the landing point on the river where we met our guide Will and got a safety brief. The river was absolutely beautiful and Will talked about the history of the river and pointed out animals and the plant life around the river. We were able to cool off for a quick swim (note:ensure you actually have your life vest on tightly, my family is still laughing about it). We seen wild horses and played at the beach and in the end we were picked up and taken back to our car. Great time and might give the kayaks a try next time
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patann300
Apr 25, 2026
great trip with friends - It was great trip very relaxing our guide were great Lindsey & Mark Brown they were very helpful and great tour guides
Review provided by Viator
Karen_p
Apr 18, 2026
Beautiful location. More... - Beautiful location. More strenuous than the description suggested, with more rowing required. Water level was low and we got stuck at one point, and at another we hit a rock and my brother fell out of the raft. Guide was knowledgeable and skilled. Viator did not communicate my request to Cliff Creek Outfitters that we wanted to be put in with another group. When I actually identified the tour provider and called them directly, I had lost the opportunity to cancel our private tour and paid for four people when there were only two of us. This was Viator’s problem, not the operators of the activity and I am less than pleased about it. If you have less than four people, call Cliff Creek Outfitters directly to schedule.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_e
Apr 5, 2026
Super easy, traveled with... - Super easy, traveled with husband and three boys (10,8,5). Few rapids to get exciting, not too long and not too short.
Review provided by Viator
Pioneer50699422293
Mar 24, 2026
Great trip. Very knowledgeable and fun trip. - Lindsey and his partner were great. His amount of knowledge regarding the river and surrounding area made for fantastic day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary_a
Mar 24, 2026
Great recreational and informative river tour. - The rafting experience was pleasant and the guide (Lindsay) was extremely well versed in the ecology and history of the area, which he shared with our group throughout the rafting experience. The driver and guide were both engaging from the pickup to the launch point, and pull out to return. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable and informative river experience.
Review provided by Viator
Eric_l
Mar 16, 2026
Perfect Family Rafting Adventure for All Ages - We had a group of 8 (4 adults and 4 kids), and our river rafting trip was an amazing experience from start to finish. Our guide, Owen, was fantastic—full of local knowledge and great with the kids. He had them out of their shells in no time, joking around, having fun, and even helping polish off the snacks! The scenery was incredible, and spotting a wild horse along the way was a highlight we won’t forget. The trip itself was very easygoing with minimal paddling required, which made it perfect for all ages—our 73-year-old mom had a great time too. Highly recommend for families or anyone looking for a fun, scenic, and relaxed adventure!
Review provided by Viator
Jean_c
Mar 12, 2026
Gentle float - great for... - Gentle float - great for seniors. Easy access. . Guides were patient and supportive. Great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Jorgelina_r
Nov 21, 2025
Wonderful adventure for a family with kids of 10 years old and up - We did it with our kids ages 11 and 13 and it was wonderful even with rainy conditions they provided us with ponchos and it was absolutely amazing
Review provided by Viator
Donna_b
Oct 4, 2025
Highly Recommend Salt Water Rafting with Owen! - Our guide, Owen, was exceptional. He elevated the Salt River rafting trip by sharing his deep knowledge of the local ecology and history, turning the journey into a highly engaging and educational experience. We arrived with no expectations and left with incredible memories, thanks entirely to Owen's expertise. I strongly recommend this trip for anyone seeking adventure combined with unique insights into Arizona's wilderness.
Review provided by Viator
From $148
up to 12 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).