Lower Salt River Clean-up

As one of the busiest recreation spots on the Tonto National Forest, the Lower Salt River Recreation Area hosts thousands of visitors every summer weekend. Unfortunately, many of these visitors leave their trash behind, creating an unsightly & dangerous mess.

To help restore this stretch of water back to its natural beauty in celebration of National Public Lands Day, the Tonto NF’s Mesa Ranger District will host the 27th Annual Salt River Clean-up on Sat., Sept. 30th. Last year’s event drew more than 250 volunteers who collected 18 tons of trash from the Lower Salt River Recreation Area.

Event registration is 7:30 to 8:30 am at the Phon D. Sutton Recreation Site. The clean-up begins immediately after registration & will continue until around noon when lunch & beverages will be provided free to volunteers. Raffle prizes & other sponsorship support will be provided by event sponsors, including SRP, Saguaro Lake Ranch, Arizona Clean & Beautiful, Leave No Trace, Glad Bags, Ready Ice, Tropical Smoothie Café, Indigo Joe’s Restaurant, Golden Spoon, Frozen Yoghurt, & Target

A majority of the clean-up will occur in and around the water. The Forest Service, Cimarron River Company, & Desert Voyagers Rafting will provide boats & guidance to get volunteers on the water where clean-up is highly needed.

Trash bags, drinking water, & parking are free for the day’s events. Participants are urged to wear close-toed, rubber-soled shoes that can be worn in & around water, as well as sun screen, & gloves. All types of non-motorized boaters are also encouraged to join in the clean-up.

For more information or to pre-register a group, contact Scotty McBride at the Mesa Ranger District at 480-610-3300.