The river wild

The Salt River Canyon Wilderness encompasses 32,101 acres within Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. Its namesake, the Salt River, is the main artery through this dynamic landscape, creating a vibrant, riparian ecosystem in one of the country’s driest climates, the Sonoran Desert. Spring run-off and rain (often in short supply)  contributes to a boatable volume of water traveling downstream, offering river enthusiasts a short window to experience this one-of-a-kind desert river first-hand. Here’s a look: