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Arizona | Lower Salt / Tonto National Forest

Salt RiverPhon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site

The final Lower Salt reach from Phon D. Sutton to Granite Reef, where current slows and paddling replaces the earlier float.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 3.1 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 2–4 hours with downstream paddling and take-out scouting
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Salt River flows through the Arizona desert below the mountains.
River contextSalt River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 3.1 river milesPhon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site
DifficultymoderateThe upper reach has a sharp Class II riffle and shallow channels. After Goldfield, channel choices and shallows remain; current fades through the final reach toward Granite Reef.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle first, then drive to the named upstream recreation site.
PermitsCheck posted rulesCheck current Tonto National Forest passes, day-use rules and closures for both parking sites before setting a shuttle.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use separately permitted sites and follow day-use rules.
SeasonJan-DecStewart Mountain Dam releases can change the Lower Salt quickly, and winter flows may be low. HikeArizona gives 500 cfs as a minimum and 1,000 cfs as desired, but does not set an upper limit; check the live discharge, trend, weather, access notices and your group’s ability before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The final Lower Salt reach from Phon D. Sutton to Granite Reef, where current slows and paddling replaces the earlier float.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site river entry
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only named public access sites and obey posted closure, parking and day-use notices.

Finish

Take-out

Granite Reef Recreation Site river entry
Open mapDirections to take-out

Use only named public access sites and obey posted closure, parking and day-use notices.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only named public access sites and obey posted closure, parking and day-use notices.

Watch for

  • Low-water shallows and riffles
  • Stewart Mountain and Granite Reef dam exclusion zones
  • Heat, crowding, strainers and sudden release changes

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Salt River flows through the Arizona desert below the mountains.
Salt River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
CC BY-SA 3.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteSalt River below Stewart Mountain Dam, AZ
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor500 cfs
High thresholdWater-level guidance unavailable
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreHikeArizona Lower Salt River access and flow guide
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Access and distancePhon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site; 3.1 miles

    HikeArizona publishes the named Lower Salt access sequence and approximate river-mile spacing.

    Source

  • Forest access noticesTonto National Forest recreation sites

    Check the Interactive Visitor Map, current site alerts and pass information for parking and closures before setting a shuttle.

    Source

  • Low-water planning reference500 cfs minimum; 1,000 cfs desired

    HikeArizona provides these community flow cues but does not publish an upper cutoff or safety limit. Check live conditions and use judgment above the minimum.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 09502000

    Direct Salt River gauge below Stewart Mountain Dam; recheck current release telemetry and trend.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Arizona

All 43 routes
Arizona route guideBrowse every tracked Arizona route.Lower Salt / Tonto National ForestJump to routes in this region.

More on Salt River

All 10
Blue Point Recreation Site to Goldfield Recreation SiteLower Salt / Tonto National ForestModerate · About 4 river milesBlue Point Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation SiteLower Salt / Tonto National ForestModerate · About 9.5 river milesBlue Point Recreation Site to Phon D. Sutton Recreation SiteLower Salt / Tonto National ForestModerate · About 6.4 river milesGoldfield Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation SiteLower Salt / Tonto National ForestModerate · About 5.5 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Verde RiverBeasley Flat RAP to Childs River Access · about 65 straight-line mi awayHard · About 17 river milesVerde RiverClear Creek RAP to Beasley Flat RAP · about 67 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 4.3 river milesVerde RiverClear Creek RAP to Childs River Access · about 67 straight-line mi awayHard · About 21 river milesVerde RiverWhite Bridge RAP to Clear Creek RAP · about 70 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5.5 river miles

Quick answers

Salt River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site route on the Salt River?

Paddle Today watches Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam, AZ and uses 500 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does the Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site route on the Salt River start and end?

This route starts at Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site river entry and ends at Granite Reef Recreation Site river entry, about 3.1 river miles on the water.

Is the Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site to Granite Reef Recreation Site route on the Salt River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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