Wild About Horses

Enchanting, majestic and noble are just a few of the words used to describe the wild horses of the Lower Salt River.

As you navigate the waters of the Lower Salt River, you'll have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Arizona's wild horses in their natural habitat. You may see them grazing along the riverbanks, wading through the water to drink or cool off, or playfully running across the riverbed. Watching these horses in their natural environment offers a rare, awe-inspiring experience.

Wild Horses Salt River photo credit visit mesa

How many horses are there?

There are as many as 300 of these magnificent animals, and they roam in families called bands. Their habitat consists of 20,000 acres of Forest Service land, which includes 12 miles of the lower Salt River. Their enigmatic presence is a common sight when visitors are kayaking, paddle boarding, or tubing down the river, as the horses emerge from the surrounding desert to cool off in the water and graze on the underwater foliage called river eelgrass.

Where did the horses come from?

The Salt River wild horses roam the lower Salt River area within the Tonto National Forest, a region with a long and rich history of human and animal presence.

Also known as mustangs—a term from the Spanish mesteño, meaning “stray” or “feral animal”—these horses reflect centuries of life in the Southwest.

The first horses to live near the Salt River belonged to the Akimel O’odham, who maintained villages along the riverbanks. The Akimel O’odham received horses from the Spanish during the colonial period and integrated them into their way of life.

When non-Indigenous Americans began arriving in the 19th century, they brought additional horses with them. By 1890, there were more than 4,000 horses living on the open range in Maricopa County.

The horses you see today are descended from those originally owned by the Akimel O’odham, from horses brought by early non-Indigenous settlers, and from additional animals introduced to the region over time—together forming a herd that reflects the layered history of the Salt River landscape.

The wild horses are watched over by the tireless efforts of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group. This non-profit is dedicated to the freedom and humane management of the wild horses, which has allowed them to live and wander peacefully over the years.

Where can you see them?

Where can you see the wild horses?

Before sunrise and after sunset, along the waters of the Tonto National Forest and into the adjacent Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, visitors have a pretty good chance at catching a glimpse of Arizona’s wild horse population. The following viewpoints require a Tonto Pass or an America The Beautiful Pass to park. These can be purchased at nearby retail vendors or online.

Coon Bluff

Currently, along the banks of the river at Coon Bluff has been the best place to view the wild horses. But you can also catch a glimpse at one of the Tonto Forest recreational sites below:

  • Granite Reef
  • Phon D Sutton
  • Water Users
  • Goldfield
  • Pebble Beach

Before sunrise and after sunset, along the waters of the Tonto National Forest and into the adjacent Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, visitors have a pretty good chance at catching a glimpse of Arizona’s wild horse population. The following viewpoints require a Tonto Pass or an America The Beautiful Pass to park. These can be purchased at nearby retail vendors or online.

If you are lucky enough to spot a horse or herd when you #VisitMesa, remember to be respectful of their space and natural habitat.

Saguaro Lake Viewpoint

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Visit Mesa Team