Salt River Canyon Wilderness Permit
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The Upper Salt River runs through the Salt River Canyon Wilderness, often referred to as Arizona’s other Grand Canyon. While it lacks the size of the Grand Canyon, it certainly measures up in terms of outstanding, rugged geology and sheer scenic beauty. It is one of a few rivers to flow through the saguaro cactus forests of the Sonoran Desert, a truly exotic landscape.
A Tonto National Forest Upper Salt River boater permit is required to float the Salt River Canyon Wilderness from March 1st to May 15th annually. The Upper Salt River is a solid Class III-IV river and requires whitewater boating skills. As the water level drops the river becomes more technically difficult, and at low water a few of the rapids approach Class V. Because it is a free flowing river, it also has the potential to go to flood stage and become very dangerous in just hours.
The weather varies greatly in the Sonoran Desert, and it is not uncommon to find yourself wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and later wearing your winter weather gear. It is a good idea to check the weather before you leave for your trip, as there is no cell phone service in the canyon. Water levels vary from year to year, so it is wise to check on the snow pack in Arizona’s White Mountains.
There are no trails in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness, but many of the side canyons are great hikes. The wildflowers in the Sonoran Desert can be magical in the spring, and just walking out into the desert from any of the camps can lead to fabulous scenic hiking.
There are several grocery stores in Globe, the nearest town to the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. There are four companies with permits to shuttle visitors to launch and take-out points along the Upper Salt. These include: Wilderness Aware Rafting (800) 231-2738, Mild to Wild Rafting (800) 567-6745, Salt River Rafting (800) 425-5253 and Momentum River Expeditions (541) 488-2525. The shuttle takes approximately three hours round-trip if you do not stop in town.
If you have questions, you may call Kyle Smith at (928)-402-6236 or Email Kyle.Smith@usda.gov
Permit & Season Information
A Tonto National Forest Upper Salt River boater permit is required to float the Salt River Canyon Wilderness from March 1st to May 15th annually. You must launch on your permitted day. Typically boaters launch on river right from First Campground on Apache Road 1 just down from where the Highway 60 Bridge crosses the Upper Salt River. The take-out for the permitted wilderness section is just downstream of the Highway 288 Bridge on river left, 52.3 miles downstream from First Campground. Most people with boater permits plan a four or five day river trip, although the permit does not limit your length of stay. Group size is limited to 15 people.
Important Dates
| Dates | Information |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025 | Lottery application period open 12:00am MT. Lottery closes at 11:59pm MT |
| February 10, 2025 | Lottery results available in your Recreation.gov account at 12:01am MT |
| February 20, 2025 | Last day to confirm reservation by purchasing permit by 11:59pm Arizona time |
| February 21, 2025 | First-come, first-served availability for cancelled reservations available on Recreation.gov at 8:00am Arizona time |
| March 1, 2025 - May 15, 2025 | Boater permit required for boating in Salt River Canyon Wilderness |
| January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 | White Mountain Apache Tribal Permits required on Upper Salt River. |
Lottery Information
A Tonto National Forest Upper Salt River boater permit is required to float the Salt River Canyon Wilderness from March 1st to May 15th annually.
Applicants can select up to three potential launch dates. When an application is randomly selected from the lottery, it is awarded a permit for the first choice date. If the first choice date is already full, then it is awarded the second choice date. If the second choice date is already full, it is awarded the third choice date. If all three date are already full, the application is unsuccessful and no permit is awarded to the applicant.
How Does the Quota Work for this Permit?
There are four boater permits available per day of the permitted season (March 1 – May 15). Group size is limited to 15 people. Groups are not allowed to camp together.
