Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive
Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
279 reviews
Excellent
200
Very good
65
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
4
JHAllen
Oro Valley, AZ449 contributions
Apr 2023
A mini Grand Canyon with getting close to the river possible. Massive cliffs on either side with a great view upriver from the old road bridge open to pedestrians. There is also an informative set of signs outside the restroom building. There is plenty of parking for cars and RVs. AZ Rt 77, the road through the canyon is well maintained and mostly 3 lanes, a constant travel lane in each direction with an alternating passing lanes. There are switchbacks, but the turns are mostly gentle and the edges have guard rails in place. A wonderful day trip from Phoenix or Tucson, and a must travel if heading south from eastern Arizona.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan B
Ontario, Canada713 contributions
Feb 2023
What a beautiful drive.
The switchbacks are not bad at all, you can only go 35 mph on the road. The biggest thing is the potholes coming down the road. Some of them are deep. so be careful.
We stopped at almost all the pullouts and the view is stunning.
We came on a cloudy day, so i think the colors were better for photography.
The river itself was running pretty good which added to the scenery.
Not to be missed
The switchbacks are not bad at all, you can only go 35 mph on the road. The biggest thing is the potholes coming down the road. Some of them are deep. so be careful.
We stopped at almost all the pullouts and the view is stunning.
We came on a cloudy day, so i think the colors were better for photography.
The river itself was running pretty good which added to the scenery.
Not to be missed
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
TERRIFYING AND DANGEROUS! If you get motuon sickness and dont enjoy heights and hairpin turns, find another route. It was an absolutely miserable ride after a lovely vacation in Pinetop.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeB1952
Santa Fe, NM1,008 contributions
Oct 2021
The Canyon is neat to drive by. It’s fairly local (maybe 10 to 15 miles long) with the Salt River rushing down below. Always neat hearing the roar of the river so far down below. It’s always amazing going up and down the mountains of central Arizona.
The Salt River Canyon Bridge is a place we’ve been by a number of times. Each time we’ve stopped to ‘drink and drain’ and walk across the older bridge. First, it’s a nice rest stop. The State has done a good job. Then, the walk on old bridge and look over the Salt River is very nice. We can look down below to the Salt River rushing below and the canyon on both sides.
The bathrooms and walk across the bridge are open. Unfortunately the walk down to the river is closed at this time. Oh, and beware, there are panhandlers with sob stories trying to get money at the rest stop.
The Salt River Canyon Bridge is a place we’ve been by a number of times. Each time we’ve stopped to ‘drink and drain’ and walk across the older bridge. First, it’s a nice rest stop. The State has done a good job. Then, the walk on old bridge and look over the Salt River is very nice. We can look down below to the Salt River rushing below and the canyon on both sides.
The bathrooms and walk across the bridge are open. Unfortunately the walk down to the river is closed at this time. Oh, and beware, there are panhandlers with sob stories trying to get money at the rest stop.
Written 14 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dexter s
Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Salt river canyon is like a drug , the more I see the more I want to take that drive even at night.The most beautiful drive for me by far, we have stopped at every pullout and then some, as for this drive at night, it's a must do, totally different ??? Mind set ? Like being on another planet, so just do it ? Night and day , you won't regret it...
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maryricketts@gmail.com
4 contributions
Jul 2021
The Salt River Canyon is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. I have been in the mountains of Colorado and Utah and this drive rivals any of those. What tops it off is the walk to the water and the bridge.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gwen C
Prescott, AZ606 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This is a beautiful drive through the canyons and mountains from Globe to Lake Roosevelt. Amazing boulders and vistas and views. We drove on a Tuesday and had the hwy to ourselves.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ405 contributions
Apr 2021
Amazing views. When I made the drive last year I just wanted to get home so I didn't stop at any of the pullouts. This time I did. However, I did avoid the rest stop at the bottom because it looked closed. Other reviewers say you can still park there and walk down to the water. I wish I had done that. Many years ago I did this drive at night. I do NOT recommend that. Gotta do it in the daytime.
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith B
Alamogordo, NM225 contributions
Apr 2021
We weren't familiar with this area/road and found it a nice surprise. Very scenic. We had to stop at pullouts several times for pictures. Sure there were some tight turns, but we didn't find it scary at all as some reviewers did.
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RollTideRollAZ
Peoria, AZ556 contributions
Sep 2020
Drove through here in Sept 2020. Rest areas closed; but portable bathrooms outside. Site roped off; but you can still get down to the water by going down a path down to the right. Good pictures of the bridge and you can go into the water.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce
Apache Junction, AZ1 contribution
Towing a 35’ fifth wheel with a height of 13’6”, any low overpasses or tunnels that would be a problem
hikes
indiana4,406 contributions
Below is a description of part of the drive. There are passing lanes so slower vehicles don't impede traffic. I don't recall any low overpasses.
"With a cliff-hugging road and hairpin turns, the switchbacks down the Salt River Canyon is one of the most exciting portions of the drive. "
KayDarlene
La Feria, TX84 contributions
I'm coming from Globe. I really want to see the small falls. How do I get there? Is this map area correct or is it leading me somewhere else? I'll be driving back to globe after.
hikes
indiana4,406 contributions
Are you wanting to see Cibecue Falls? That is a hike of a couple of miles off the drive thru the canyon.
Where is it compared to Parker Arizona
Aspy
Tonopah, AZ146 contributions
It's south and east of Parker. We have driven the route to go from Phoenix to the Petrified Forest.
What are the best vehicles to take to the views
A C
2 contributions
Rt 60 takes you through Salt Canyon. It's a decent highway, our sedan handled it fine. If you're traveling it in winter, a 4-wheel drive might be worth considering, and you'd want to keep a sharp eye on the weather. The canyon was impressive in dry weather, but don't think I'd like to drive it in ice and snow.
amonly
25 contributions
Hi, So what is the route driving from Show Low To Globe and then if we go on to Chandler? What if we are driving in the afternoon or late afternoon which will be likely? Thanks.
SOUTHLAND02
Atlanta, GA51 contributions
We came up from Tucson that day. It was raining and generally miserable, drove it south to north, ended in Sho Low. In spite of the weather, you could tell immediately, it was something special.
As long as you've got daylight, it won't matter what time! Enjoy it.
larian2022
Cleveland, OH3 contributions
I can't decide btw going to Salt River Canyon or Chiricahua National Monument! I have 4 days to hike and am flying into Phoenix. Help! Thx!
Kenneth G
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ44 contributions
Chiricahua is a loooong way from PHX...almost 2 hrs to Tucson, then another 2+ hrs to Chiricahua. Hiking/camping there is great.
I haven't heard about hiking Salt River Canyon.
CARRY A BATHTUB's WORTH OF WATER for every hour you plan to hike ANYPLACE in Arizona......
....the "rule of thumb" being, "no matter how much water you carry, when you've used 1/2 your water turn around and go back exactly the way you came.
Happy Hiking!!
bluebeliever
Indiana64 contributions
Hi, can you tell me how far past Globe to go on this drive? I wonder if I need to drive all the way to Show Low?
Thanks!
Dean P
Chandler, AZ27 contributions
I'm guessing less than an hour. Beautiful drive.
Roger S
Mesa, AZ116 contributions
Sadly the store was closed and rest area might not be functioning
Interesting fact, the river runs through a natural salt bed area upstream and is actually saltier than an average river.
SALT RIVER CANYON SCENIC DRIVE (Globe) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive
- We recommend booking Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive:
- (1.36 km) Dream Manor Inn
- (2.82 km) Best Western Copper Hills Inn
- (4.21 km) Chrysocolla Inn
- (4.23 km) Noftsger Hill Inn
- (2.89 km) Days Inn by Wyndham Globe
- Restaurants near Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive:
- (4.16 km) Nurd Berger
- (4.44 km) The Copper Hen Bakery & Cafe
- (3.64 km) Chalo's Casa Reynoso
- (4.52 km) El Ranchito
- (2.86 km) Irene's Real Mexican Food