Want a break from the Phoenix heat without leaving the adventure behind? Grab a paddle and glide down one of Arizona’s coolest escapes: a self-guided kayak trip along the lower Salt River, where the water sparkles, the breeze is gentle, and wild horses stop by for a drink.
This is the happiest kind of do-it-yourself trip. You set your own pace along a beautiful five-mile stretch of river winding through the Tonto National Forest. Along the way, keep your eyes open: wild horses, herons and other wildlife often cool off in the same waters you’re paddling. It feels like being inside a nature documentary!
Logistics are blissfully simple. Your reservation includes the kayak (or a paddleboard by advance request), paddle, life vest and a return shuttle to the starting point. The launch site sits right on the river — the only kayak rental company with that privilege — so there’s no hauling gear, no fuss, just splash and go.
Perfect for families, couples and first-timers, this trip runs from about $57.27 per person with a 4.9 rating from more than 2,800 happy reviewers. It’s the Arizona outdoors at its friendliest.
Ready to paddle? Book this tour on Viator
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Photo: Viator
