City: Lajitas, TX
County: Brewster County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 29.26505251, -103.78329652
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Rio Grande near Castolon, TX
11.1 mi away
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
II(III)
Put-in
Rio Grande - 3. Santa Elena Canyon: Lajitas to Santa Elena Canyon River Access (20 miles)
7 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 150.00-10000.00 cfs
Rio Grande near Castolon, TX
Whitewater Runs on Rio Grande
23 runs (5 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
II(III)
Put-in at this location
3. Santa Elena Canyon: Lajitas to Santa Elena Canyon River Access (20 miles)
20.6 mi
7 ft/mi
II+
Take-out at this location
2. Colorado Canyon: Rancherias Canyon to Lajitas (21 miles)
21.2 mi
6 ft/mi
II
Downstream from here (45.7 mi to put-in)
4. Mariscal Canyon: Talley to Solis Landing (10 miles)
10.2 mi
12 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (49.2 mi to put-in)
5. San Vicente & Hot Springs Canyon: Solis Landing to Rio Grande Village (19 miles)
19.4 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (19.5 mi from take-out)
1. Hoodoos: Redford to Colorado Canyon (15.75 miles)
16.0 mi
6 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I-II
57 mi away
6. Rio Grande Village to La Linda (34.5 miles)
34.6 mi
4 ft/mi
II-III+
68 mi away
7. Lower Canyons: La Linda to Dryden Crossing (83.5 miles)
84.3 mi
5 ft/mi
III
474 mi away
08. Otowi Bridge to Cochiti Reservoir
22.3 mi
III
501 mi away
07. Quartzite River Access to County Line River Access
4.4 mi
12 ft/mi
II
503 mi away
06. Taos Junction Bridge to Quartzite River Access
6.6 mi
III-IV
506 mi away
05. John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge (Lower Taos Box)
15.0 mi
31 ft/mi
II-III
519 mi away
04. Red River confluence to John Dunn Bridge
8.4 mi
12 ft/mi
V
526 mi away
03. Chiflo Campground to Little Arsenic Trail
7.8 mi
69 ft/mi
II-IV
532 mi away
02. Lee Trail to Chiflo Campground
9.9 mi
47 ft/mi
II-III
541 mi away
01. Lobatos Bridge(Colorado) to Lee Trail
24.0 mi
5 ft/mi
II
541 mi away
08. Lobatos Bridge to Lee Trail
21.0 mi
7 ft/mi
I-II
556 mi away
07. Lasauses to Lobatos Bridge
20.0 mi
3 ft/mi
II
571 mi away
06. Alamosa to Lasauses
20.1 mi
15 ft/mi
II
607 mi away
05. South Fork to Del Norte
20.9 mi
17 ft/mi
II-III+
613 mi away
04. Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork
11.4 mi
21 ft/mi
II-III
623 mi away
03. Creede to Wagon Wheel Gap
10.2 mi
II-III
628 mi away
02. Box Canyon to Creede
23.7 mi
24 ft/mi
III-IV
631 mi away
01. Box Canyon (CO)
8.1 mi
38 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
**Location & Access:** Located in Lajitas, Brewster County, near the western end of the Rio Grande paddling corridor, this access point serves as a convenient downstream take-out or put-in for Rio Grande trips. The site is accessible via FM 170 through Terlingua—look for the parking area about one mile past the Lajitas general store. Easy parking and vehicle access make this a popular launch and exit point.
**Paddling Conditions:** Lajitas marks one of the furthest downstream take-out points accessible to paddlers in the region, with quality whitewater featuring pool-and-drop rapids and rock gardens suitable for various skill levels. Water levels vary seasonally; lower flows (around 200 cfs) may require some portaging, while higher water increases technical difficulty. Be aware of dense river cane along the banks that can present hazards.
**Trip Planning:** This section is ideal for multi-day canyon trips, with good campsites available at San Miguel Creek and within nearby canyons. Paddlers can access the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area downstream at Maravillas, though that location requires a permit (available through Texas Parks & Wildlife). Check current flow conditions and seasonal water levels before planning your trip.
**Paddling Conditions:** Lajitas marks one of the furthest downstream take-out points accessible to paddlers in the region, with quality whitewater featuring pool-and-drop rapids and rock gardens suitable for various skill levels. Water levels vary seasonally; lower flows (around 200 cfs) may require some portaging, while higher water increases technical difficulty. Be aware of dense river cane along the banks that can present hazards.
**Trip Planning:** This section is ideal for multi-day canyon trips, with good campsites available at San Miguel Creek and within nearby canyons. Paddlers can access the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area downstream at Maravillas, though that location requires a permit (available through Texas Parks & Wildlife). Check current flow conditions and seasonal water levels before planning your trip.