5 Best Rapids on the Rio Grande

The 5 best rapids on the Rio??  Usually this is an impossible task as each rapid is wonderful in it’s own way and at varying water levels.  However, as winter sets in and we dream about more whitewater…lets give it a shot.  We narrowed the list down to only rapids that are found on the sections of river we raft.  Here we go!

#5:  Thunderdome aka Big Rocks

This rapid is so much fun at all different levels.  At our lowest levels, it becomes the most difficult rapid on the Racecourse.

#4:  Rock Garden

Rock Garden is the longest and certainly one of the most consequential drops on the Taos Box section.  This rapid has great character as it starts very slowly and picks up speed culminating in a great stright away of high intensity moves around rocks and large hydraulics.  Don’t fall out of the boat!

#3:  Razorblades

The Razorblades rapid is basically a quarter mile long section of continuous class 3 and 4 moves in one of the most remote section of the Rio Grande.  Although this section is seldom runnable due to water levels being either too high or too low.  When the conditions are right, this rapid provides some of the highest intensity paddling of any other on the Rio.  Don’t miss this section if you like Adventure!

#2:  Powerline Falls

Probably the most well known rapid on the Taos Box rafting section.  This is also know as the steepest drop on the river.  At low and medium flows, the approach to Powerline is nothing less than stunning.  Hands down one of the largest and most daunting horizon lines of any rapid in the west.

#1:  Sous Hole

Sous Hole takes the prize as the best overall rapid on the Rio Grande for lots of reasons.  At lower flows, the splashes and surfing here are some of the best and certainly a spectacular way to end your time on the river on those hot July and August days.  At higher flows, this rapid is so big it attracts hundreds of spectators with lawn chairs set up just to see the action.  The pool below this drop often times feels like a Coliseum!