Salt River
Salt River is a key desert tributary that flows from the Pinal Plateau through Phoenix suburbs to join Lake Mead — crossing urban greenspaces and canyon corridors.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Americas |
| Subregion | Southwest United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa County |
| City | Phoenix |
| Timezone | AmericaPhoenix |
| Latitude | 33.4931 |
| Longitude | -112.0459 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMESalt River originates from the Pinal Plateau and flows northward through central Arizona, passing through the Phoenix metropolitan area. Once a major seasonal watercourse and historic boating route, today it is heavily regulated and often falls dry in urban segments, but nearby riparian corridors and parks preserve traces of its seasonal pulse. From its confluence with the Verde River upstream near Camp Verde, the Salt drains a basin that includes diverse desert and foothill environments. Lower reaches near Tempe and Scottsdale are urbanized but have popular recreation spots for tubing, kayaking, and riverside trails. Tributary streams such as the Lehi and Tonto Creek bring additional flow and support coyotes and river otters where accessible. High water events historically shaped the valley and habitat, but current flow is largely controlled for urban and downstream uses. Travelers today can explore the Salt through regional parks, trails, and day-use sites; for active recreation, check current water conditions and access points before planning activities.
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