The Río Claro is located in the Maule Region of central Chile, within the Parque Nacional Radal Siete Tazas, roughly four hours south of Santiago near the town of Molina. The river carves deep into the surrounding terrain through narrow basalt canyons formed by glacial and volcanic activity over tens of millions of years, producing a concentration of clean, committing waterfalls that make it one of the most technically demanding and visually striking whitewater destinations in South America. The water runs crystal clear through these polished rock corridors, and the canyon walls are extremely narrow in places, limiting eddy size and making large groups impractical and potentially dangerous.

The river is commonly divided into several distinct sections. The uppermost is the 22 Saltos (Veintidos Saltos), a Class IV/IV+ run featuring 22 consecutive waterfalls. The tallest drops come early in the section, most rapids cannot be scouted from the water, and there are no portages — first-timers should go with someone who knows the run. Access requires approximately a two-kilometer hike upstream from Parque Ingles on river right, with the take-out at the Parque Ingles bridge. Below that lies the Entre Saltos section, which contains the iconic Garganta del Diablo, a 180-degree two-tiered drop of roughly 20 feet into another 20-foot fall. The take-out for this section is mandatory — the river drops into a siphon between Entre Saltos and the next section downstream, so paddlers must exit at the stairs near the bridge upstream of the Siete Tazas parking area. The Siete Tazas section consists of seven waterfalls, with only the first drop — a sloping 15-footer — visible before committing to the rest of the run.

Paddling within the park requires a daily pass purchased online in advance, which must be presented to park staff. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Park staff may inspect kayaking gear on entry. Access to some sections involves arid hikes of roughly 40 minutes to an hour carrying boats, and paddlers should arrive in good physical condition. Lodging options near the 22 Saltos section include cabins and camping. Spring is noted as a particularly good time to visit. The invasive aquatic plant Limnobium laevigatum has been documented in the river system.