Salt River Family Pictures | Mesa Photographer
I knew from the first time I visited the Salt River it was going to become one of my all time favorite locations for family pictures and I’m making it official! I LOVE THIS LOCATION!
The first time I visited it was August which means it was hot but also very green and the river was nice and full. Playing in the water helped us stay cool while still getting magical family pictures.
This time, in late January, the water level was much lower but because it’s much cooler this time of year I’m not sure we would have been up for playing in the water anyway. But my favorite thing were all the colors! Fall in Arizona anyone? The leaves of the trees that line the river are changing the most beautiful colors and almost make me feel like I’m back home in Utah. Colors like these are what make people go crazy for family pictures in October up there and I’m so excited to find them here in Mesa.
What you Need to Know about Salt River Family Pictures
Tonto Parking Pass
This particular location is called the Water Users Recreation Site and is located in the Tonto National Forest. Before heading into the park you’ll need to pick up a Tonto Parking Pass at a local gas station. I believe they’ve also installed some self service machines at some of the recreation sites but I’m not sure exactly where.
Plan in some Playtime
The only drawback to this particular site is that it’s just too cool! All this little girl wanted to do was explore and throw rocks in the water. And really, who can blame her? Consider arriving a few minutes early so your kidos can get some of the playing out of their system. Hopefully they’ll then be willing to look at my camera for more than 2 seconds at a time.
The Beaches are Rocky
This time of year, the beach is rocky and can be difficult to walk on. You may want to wear some walking shoes to get down to the river and then change into your picture shoes once most of the walking is done. If you plan on getting wet, towels and a change of clothes are also a good idea for the ride home.
I’d love to work with you! Please contact me to book your mesa family pictures session! To view more of my work and stay up to date, follow me on Instagram.
