The river begins at Big Sandy Lake[3] and flows in a north-easterly direction into Deschambault Lake.

Ballantyne River is in Saskatchewan's Northern Administration District and begins at the eastern shore of Big Sandy Lake.

From there, it heads east then north where it crosses Hanson Lake Road and meets up with Bear River.

[4] Bear River, Ballantyne River's longest tributary, begins at Heart Lake (which is connected to Little Bear Lake) to the west in the Cub Hills.

The final leg of the river forms the southern boundary of the Muskwaminiwatim 225 Indian reserve.