The Rio Maipo is the primary training ground for Santiago's kayaking community and sits roughly one hour from the city in the Cajón del Maipo, a canyon at the foot of the Andes. The river is typically divided into two distinct runs — the Lower and the Upper — each offering a different level of challenge.

The Lower Maipo covers approximately 8 km between the put-in at KM47 above San Alfonso and the takeout at KM39 just above Puente Toyo near El Melocotón. This run is predominantly class III with one mini canyon just below San Alfonso that grades class IV at high water. The run typically takes about one hour. It can be extended by taking out further downstream at Parque Los Heroes in San José de Maipo. Flows on the lower section vary considerably, ranging from around 1,000 CFS in autumn to roughly 7,500 CFS during peak spring runoff. Hazards include large holes and diversionary water intake structures along the route.

The Upper Maipo is a more demanding proposition. The put-in is at Puente El Yeso, approximately 2 km upstream from San Gabriel, where paddlers run the final stretch of the Yeso into the Maipo. The character is predominantly class III–IV, escalating sharply at a feature known as Frenchman's Corner — named after a paddler who rounded the bend unaware and encountered serious whitewater. At very high flows this entire upper stretch can reach class V+, and even at extreme low water it holds solid class IV. In September the upper section runs around class III/IV, climbing to V+ by December. The annual Rey del Maipo extreme kayaking competition is held at Frenchman's Corner each September.

Flows are sustained year-round by Andean snowmelt, making the river viable across all seasons. Commercial rafting operations run from September through winter on the lower section, with the summer months of December through March generally considered the warmest period for being on the water. Paved road access runs alongside the canyon, making logistics straightforward. The area offers plentiful accommodation and dining options, and the broader Cajón del Maipo supports a range of other outdoor activities that make it a practical base for multi-day trips.