The Río Carcarañá runs approximately 240 kilometres in total, originating at the confluence of the Río Tercero and the Saladillo River near Cruz Alta in Córdoba before crossing into Santa Fe province. Within Santa Fe, the river follows a winding course — first turning south, then east, and finally northeast — before emptying into the Río Coronda south of Gaboto. The Coronda in turn connects to the Río Paraná roughly 7 kilometres below the Carcarañá's mouth, meaning a paddler completing the full run would eventually link into one of South America's major river systems.

The river is navigable by medium-sized vessels along its length, though the character changes notably within Santa Fe. After receiving the waters of the Cañada de Gómez near the city of the same name, the Carcarañá develops cascades and becomes confined within ravines reaching up to 20 metres in height. This section represents a significant change in gradient and should be treated as a serious hazard requiring careful scouting. The river has earned a local reputation as "el río rebelde" — the rebel river — a characterization that reflects its unpredictable nature in these constrained reaches.

The river passes through or near several towns in Santa Fe, including Arteaga, San José de la Esquina, Arequito, Casilda, Carcarañá, Andino, and Gaboto, which may offer access points or resupply options along a multi-day route. The surrounding landscape is part of one of Argentina's most productive agricultural zones, and the river basin accounts for roughly 2 percent of Santa Fe's territory. The area also has historical and paleontological significance, with important fossil discoveries made along its banks.

Paddlers planning a trip should be particularly attentive to the cascade and ravine section that develops after the Cañada de Gómez confluence, as this stretch represents the most technically demanding portion of the river within Santa Fe.