Put-in
TX
Colorado Canyon River Access
Rio Grande - 2. Colorado Canyon: Rancherias Canyon to Lajitas (21 miles) (TX)
Gauge Conditions
Runnable: 200.0 – 10,000.0 CFS
Level is too low for reasonable whitewater experience.
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
The Colorado Canyon section of the Rio Grande offers a remote wilderness journey through rugged limestone canyons with minimal documented rapids. Access is challenging, with no maintained facilities and limited escape routes, requiring self-sufficiency and careful river reading. While specific rapid details are sparse, paddlers should expect potential technical navigation through rocky terrain and be prepared for a committing wilderness expedition with potential Class III-IV conditions during higher water levels.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (18)
Rapid
II
Rancherias Rapid
Rapid
II
Closed Canyon Rapid
Rapid
II
Thread the Needle Rapid
Rapid
II
Quarter Mile Rapid
Rapid
N/A
End of Colorado Canyon
Rapid
II
Panther Creek Rapid
Rapid
N/A
La Cuesta River Access
Rapid
N/A
Dark Canyon Entrance
Rapid
N/A
Dom Rock
Rapid
N/A
End of Dark Canyon
Rapid
N/A
Tee Pee Picnic Area
Rapid
N/A
Madera Canyon River Access
Rapid
II
Ledge Rock Rapid
Rapid
N/A
Grassy Banks River Access
Rapid
II
Fresno Creek Rapid
Rapid
II
Contrabando Creek Rapid
Rapid
N/A
Contrabando Movie Set
Rapid
N/A
Lajitas River Access
View Full Run
2. Colorado Canyon: Rancherias Canyon to Lajitas (21 miles)
Rio Grande
II+
21.2 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
American Whitewater