Kicking Bear Wash joins from the north, after which the Rio Salado enters Socorro County.

It continues to flow east through Miguel Chavez Canyon, collecting minor tributaries.

Rio Salado passes between Table Mountain and Tres Hermanos Mesa.

As Rio Salado passes through the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge it is joined by La Jenica Creek, Silver Creek, and Arroyo Rendija, from the south, and Cañada Popotosa and Arroyo Tio Lino from the north.

[3] Along its course the Rio Salado passes along the northern edge of the Cibola National Forest.