WHIRLPOOL RAPIDS GORGE is the section of the Niagara River Gorge located north of the Whirlpool International Bridge and the south of the Whirlpool. It has an average width of 228.5 meters (750 feet) wide). This portion of the gorge is world famous for its rapids. The width of the Whirlpool Rapids Gorge narrows to approximately 150 yards (137m). Here the width of the river narrows to approximately 200 feet (60m) wide.

The depth of the Whirlpool Rapids is 10.7 meters (35 feet) and the speed of the water at the Whirlpool Rapids is 35.4 km/hr (22 mph). The speed is the result of the narrow width of the gorge, the rapid descent of the river and the volume of water (100,000 cubic feet per second). The descent is 15.8 meters (52 feet) in less than 1.6 kilometers (1.2 miles).

The rapids generated here are amongst the wildest, formidable and most dangerous in the world. The Whirlpool Rapids are rated 6 on a navigatable scale from 1 (easiest) to 6 (most dangerous).

There are two primary places from which to view the Whirlpool Rapids close-up. They are:

1. The White Water Walk – Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls, Ontario
2. Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls, New York

The White Water Walk is the quickest and least strenuous method to view the Whirlpool Rapids. It is wheelchair accessible. Visitors are transported to the base of the Niagara Gorge by elevator. A boardwalk provides access to several viewing areas from which to view the rapids.

The Whirlpool State Park allow the more adventurous visitor to follow a series of stairways and paths to the base of the gorge. A marked path can be followed along the remnants of the former Great Gorge Route railway to an old observation station overlooking the rapids. This station was used as a way-point for visitors riding the Great Gorge Railway from which to view the Whirlpool Rapids. The hike is physically demanding but provides a view of the mighty rapids unparalleled from any other viewing area. The natural beauty of this area is majestic.