Rio Grande — Big Bend
★ Wild & Scenic🏞 National Park
Brewster Co. · 118 mi · Class II–III
110CFS/ 2.88 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 300–2000 CFS · USGS #08374550
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Big Bend National Park · Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
The Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park — 118 miles of desert canyon paddling along the U.S.–Mexico border. Santa Elena Canyon rises 1,500 feet from the river in sheer limestone walls. Mariscal Canyon is even more remote. One of the great multi-day desert river expeditions in North America.
Trip sections
Santa Elena Canyon — 20 mi, Class II–IV, iconic 1,500-ft walls
Mariscal Canyon — 10 mi, Class II–III, most remote
Boquillas Canyon — 30 mi, Class I–II, desert float
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.