Pebble Beach Recreation Area
Mesa, Arizona · on Salt River · Tonto National Forest
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Year-round
About Pebble Beach Recreation Area
Pebble Beach Recreation Area is a USFS day-use site on the Lower Salt River in Tonto National Forest, about 20 miles northeast of Mesa, Arizona. This managed freshwater beach is a popular swimming hole for tubing, floating, and anyone looking for a river to swim in near Mesa, and it serves as a common entry and exit point for river tubers.
The site sits in a Sonoran Desert riparian corridor along the Salt River, with cliffs on the north side of the river valley favored by rock-dwelling birds, a mesquite grove providing shade, and a broad sand/gravel beach used for day-use recreation.
Swimming at Pebble Beach Recreation Area
Swimming is in the open Salt River itself: first-hand accounts describe gentle current/waves and cool water that is refreshing in summer heat, suiting casual waders, floaters, and tubers rather than serious distance swimmers. The river is also a launch/takeout point for the popular Water Users-to-Pebble Beach tubing float.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Mesa, take US 60 east about 7 miles to Power Road/Bush Highway (FR 204), head north roughly 13-15 miles on Bush Highway, then follow FR 169 about 1 mile to the site (all paved roads); alternatively via AZ-202 East to Power Road exit, north to Bush Highway, continuing to milepost 29.
Parking: On-site parking requires a Tonto National Forest day-use pass; the lot closes to new entries once full.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up day-use site: paved/gravel pathways lead directly from the parking lot to the beach with no trail or elevation gain involved (confirmed by first-hand travel write-up describing a 'short stroll' from parking to the water, and by the site's accessible-pathways listing).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Water entry is easy (sand/gravel beach, gentle current described by first-hand visitors as 'gentle waves' good for wading and tubing), but there are no lifeguards and USFS explicitly warns that fallen trees/debris in the river can trap swimmers and floaters, and cautions against mixing alcohol, sun, and water. No motorized boats are allowed on this stretch, which reduces one hazard, but supervise kids closely and check flow conditions.
Parking
Paid, $8/vehicle if day pass bought in advance, $12/vehicle if purchased at the on-site machine; $80 annual Tonto pass ($60 senior/access)
On-site parking lot requires a Tonto National Forest day-use pass; the lot/site closes to new entries once it reaches capacity, so arriving early (especially on weekends and in summer) is recommended per visitor write-ups.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets on-site at the day-use area (confirmed by USFS page and Arizona Birding Trail site listing); no potable water available on site.
Hours
Open year-round for day-use only (no overnight camping); no fixed daily clock-hours are posted, but the site stops admitting new visitors once parking fills. Conditions/water levels are best May through September.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized boating is permitted freely; motorized watercraft require a $4 Tonto Watercraft Sticker. Glass containers are prohibited on this stretch of the Lower Salt River. No rafts are available to rent locally (visitors bring their own).
This stretch of river is closed to general motorized-vehicle recreation, which first-hand accounts (islands.com) say keeps the current gentle and favorable for tubers and swimmers. Salt River Tubing & Recreation runs shuttle service for tube and kayak/SUP floats on this same corridor.
Rentals nearby
Single-rider tube rentals with round-trip shuttle bus; also shuttles visitors who bring their own kayaks or paddleboards ('SUP Transportation')
Prices: $28 tube rental incl. shuttle; $22 shuttle-only if bringing your own tube; $225 'Endless Summer' season pass
9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa, AZ - on the same Lower Salt River corridor as Pebble Beach; islands.com's first-hand account references this outfitter's shuttle service in connection with the Pebble Beach area, though the operator's own site does not name Pebble Beach specifically as a put-in/take-out. · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm MST; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm MST
What regulars say
Visitors report that weekends and peak summer hours draw noticeably bigger crowds than weekday visits, and that the parking area closes to new arrivals once full, so arriving early is recommended. The same reports describe the current as gentle ('gentle waves') and the water as cool and refreshing in summer heat, suiting casual wading, floating, and tubing rather than serious swimming; dehydration in the desert heat is flagged as a real risk, and there are no lifeguards on duty.
Pebble Beach Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Pebble Beach Recreation Area charge a fee?
$8 per vehicle/day if purchased in advance, $12/day if bought at the on-site machine; $80 annual Tonto pass ($60 senior/access); $4 sticker for motorized watercraft if applicable.
Is Pebble Beach Recreation Area kid friendly?
Water entry is easy (sand/gravel beach, gentle current described by first-hand visitors as 'gentle waves' good for wading and tubing), but there are no lifeguards and USFS explicitly warns that fallen trees/debris in the river can trap swimmers and floaters, and cautions against mixing alcohol, sun, and water. No motorized boats are allowed on this stretch, which reduces one hazard, but supervise kids closely and check flow conditions.
Do I need to hike to reach Pebble Beach Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Pebble Beach Recreation Area?
On-site parking lot requires a Tonto National Forest day-use pass; the lot/site closes to new entries once it reaches capacity, so arriving early (especially on weekends and in summer) is recommended per visitor write-ups.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Pebble Beach Recreation Area?
This stretch of river is closed to general motorized-vehicle recreation, which first-hand accounts (islands.com) say keeps the current gentle and favorable for tubers and swimmers. Salt River Tubing & Recreation runs shuttle service for tube and kayak/SUP floats on this same corridor.
When is the best time to visit Pebble Beach Recreation Area?
Open year-round, but conditions are best May through September when river water levels are higher.
What are the rules at Pebble Beach Recreation Area?
Day-use only, no overnight camping; no trailers or glass containers; dogs must be leashed; check current fire restrictions before visiting; entry closes when the site reaches capacity.
What water body is Pebble Beach Recreation Area on?
Pebble Beach Recreation Area is on Salt River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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