Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip
Overview
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Starting at Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch, you and your group will kayak UNGUIDED down a scenic five mile stretch of river as it moves it's way through the Tonto National Forest. Participants often witness wild horses, birds and other wildlife that cool off in the river during the summer months.
We have the special privilege of being the only kayak rental company located right on the Salt River, so our trips launch directly from our site. Each reservation includes a kayak (or with advance request a paddleboard), paddle, PFD/personal flotation device and return shuttle to starting site.
This is an UNGUIDED kayaking experience. While this is primarily a scenic float there are sections of swift water and kayakers often tip out – so be prepared to get wet.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 12 years & 4'6" tall
Maximum weight is kayak/275 lbs & paddleboard/260 lbs.
NO double kayaks/only singles
Not recommended for participants who do not know how to swim.
Participant must be comfortable with an UNGUIDED river excursion. While this is primarily a scenic float, there are sections of swift water and kayakers often tip out - so be prepared to get wet.
Must sign a waiver prior to arrival. Waiver link email will be sent to you after booking, please call if you do not receive the email.
Dress to be in the heat and to get wet!
Service animals or pets are not allowed on kayaks for the safety of the animal
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Single sit on top Kayak or Paddleboard, Life Jacket, Paddle (No Double Kayaks Available)
No Guide Provided
Hotel pick-up and drop off not included
Gratuities Not Included
What To Expect
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled trip time. Upon arrival, you’ll check in, confirm that your waivers are on file, and prepare your belongings. You should be receiving two emails from Saguaro Lake Ranch. The first email is the Booking Confirmation with a link to your Reservation Portal. From there, you can sign your waiver, find directions to the meeting location and watch the Orientation Video. The second email will be the Waiver email. Water, sunscreen, and dry bags are available for purchase on-site. Your paddling equipment will be provided at this time. A mandatory Orientation Video must be watched prior to ariival or launching. This includes basic paddling instruction, river safety guidelines, and an overview of the Salt River’s geography. Your group will launch directly into the Salt River from our on-site access point. Enjoy your paddle! Trip concludes approximately 2 Hours After Launch. Your trip will end at the Foxtail Administration Site, where a shuttle will meet you to return you and your gear to Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch.
Options
LAUNCH TIME
Reviews
2,620 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Water Therapy and beautiful scenery!
V9544KRterriw,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great float! This is the second time I’ve used them for kayaking the Salt River! Price is great and they do all the work! We saw the wild horses just standing in the water (ignoring us) as we floated by!
Please train your staff better!
carterc585,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Our experience started off normal and the river and surrounding area was very beautiful and enjoyable! However when we reached what was supposed to be the end of our kayaking trip that's when things took a turn. The staff had stated they would be waiting for us in a white van ready to help us out of the waters and everything, "just look for the white van" were their exact words. Well when approaching our exit we stoped on the bank and waited for a good few minutes just waiting and looking for a white van and when no staff showed up we assumed we made a mistake and we needed to go further down the river. As a result of this our group ended up getting separated and we had no way of knowing where they went. We had let the staff know that we had some missing people down river and we were concerned about them. Their response was "well they're not really missing." They could be drowning but sure they're fine. Staff was not at all concerned with not having the whole group together and ended up making us have to go pick him up all while threatening us about the waivers we signed and if that kayak got lost it's gonna be an extra 700 dollars! How about if our brother gets lost you're getting sued! Overall terrible experience with staff and although it was pretty I recommend finding a different location for your kayaking experience!
Unprofessional
V7685UZemilya,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The trip itself was beautiful. With that being said, there was no one to pick us up at the designated ramp. As a result 6 members of our group traveled beyond the end point assuming they had not traveled far enough on the river. Two of us paddled against the current to get back, two needed to jump out of their kayaks and swim them back to the ramp, and the other two others were pulled out of the water by local fishermen who informed them that kayakers never traveled that far down the river (more than 30 minutes beyond the exit). There were no flags or staff there to provide instruction. When asked what we were going to do with the other two kayakers and if we were going to go get them, the response I received was, “no, they will have to call us when they get out”…I then had to drive to pick up the members of our party and wait with the Kayaks, as staff made sure to indicate to me that our party would be charged $700.00 if the Kayaks were left unattended. I would have thought they would have been more concerned with locating two missing members from a tour group rather than threatening a $700.00 charge. The only reason I was even able to locate the other members of our party was because one of them happened to have their cell phone on them—had to use location services to find them as they did not know where they were.
Highly Recommend!
791haleyt,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing kayaking trip! Made our first trip to Arizona even more perfect! The views were spectacular and the river kept it interesting and fun with the small rapids we had to maneuver. Overall would recommend and will be booking again when we return to Arizona.
Perfect half day activity!
lindaoK2579LI,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a perfect 2 hour trip, beautiful weather, easy paddling, a few gentle rapids for fun. Great company, very organized !
Fabulous experience!
Susan C,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous experience!! The scenery was breathtaking, easy relaxing kayak ride with fun small rapids. We saw birds, turtles, fish and then at the end, wild horses! Wow, what a day. The people running this were all great.
Salt River Kayak
Kathy D,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great paddle! Beautiful scenery. Good equipment. Can't wait to do again! CAUTION! If you have kids with you, our pick up/drop off person had a foul mouth and dropped a lot of F bombs -and none of us were. Ouch!
Such a beautiful location!!! Loved every minute
mellocke,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an oasis at the ranch and salt river kayak trip! Reasonable and loved every minute! Can’t wait till next trip for another and do the horseback ride as well! Highly recommended! Pay attention to their rules they are experts on the river.
A MUST DO ADVENTURE
jodieb231,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a wonderful way to enjoy another part of Arizona. The guides who got us prepared for our self guided kayaking outing were funny yet made sure we were safe and had the eduction we needed prior to our adventure. The views were epic, the nature sights were beautiful. It was refreshing and relaxing at the same time! I will do it again!
Beautiful kayaking trip
Garry W,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful kayaking trip. A little rapids to make it fun. Mostly nice and relaxing. Will do it again.
From $57.27
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Operated by Saguaro Lake Ranch, Inc.