Salt River Tubing To Reopen May 16

Salt River Tubing said it received the green light to reopen to tubers on Saturday, May 16, and will have a number of safety measures in place, according to a news release. They have also increased the cost of tube rentals this year.

Among the new measures:

  • Bandanas will be given out to all tubers, while supplies last
  • All employees will wear masks and face coverings
  • Guests must wear a bandana or face covering when renting their tubes, riding in the shuttle, and returning their tubes
  • Shuttles will be limited to 15 people
  • Shuttles will be disinfected every night

As for the tubes themselves, Lynda Breault, spokesperson for Salt River Tubing said they do not have plans to sanitize the tubes. She said in an email that the tubes will be used once a day and then are stored in one of their buildings where they will be “baking” overnight. She said the storage building does not have air conditioning and typically reaches temperatures over 100 degrees.


According to the CDC’s website, it is not known if warm weather or temperatures can affect the spread of COVID-19. There is also no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through the water in pools, hot tubs, or spas, though chemicals used to treat pools including chlorine or bromine “should inactivate the virus”.

The river will be open from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. with the last tube rental at 1 p.m., depending on weather and the river’s conditions, according to Salt River Tubing’s website. The cost of rentals has increased by $2 this year, from $17 – $19, plus tax.

On Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced that community pools, gyms, fitness centers, spas, and massage therapists could reopen as early as Wednesday, May 13, as long as they follow CDC-recommended guidelines. It is part of the state’s phased-in approach to reopening industries that were closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurants were able to reopen their dining rooms on Monday, May 11. Last week, stores, hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons were allowed to reopen in Arizona.

Salt River Tubing
9200 North Bush Highway Mesa, AZ 85215

Click here for more information.