Media Advisory

USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest

Upper Salt River rafting permits on Tonto National Forest, application deadline is Jan. 15, 2010

Phoenix, Ariz. (Nov. 10, 2009) –Rafting permit applications for the Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness are now available from the Tonto National Forest. They can be obtained by calling the Globe Ranger District at (928) 402-6200 or by visiting the Tonto’s website, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.

Instructions for applying are included in the application packets. The application deadline is January 15, 2010.
A Forest Service permit is required from March 1 through May 15 of each year to raft that portion of the river which flows through the Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness. The segment of the river under the permit system starts approximately 20 miles downstream from the traditional put-in point at First Campground on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Due to Wilderness visitor use restrictions, not all applications are accepted. If a successful permit application is submitted, the permit fee is $125. The permit application fee is of $10 is non-refundable.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe requires a recreation permit throughout the year for boating on the reservation. For more information regarding tribal permits and regulations call (928) 338-4385.

Salt River Application 2010 (pdf)

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