From its source (46°52′38″N 70°10′6″W / 46.87722°N 70.16833°W / 46.87722; -70.16833 (Grande Rivière Noire source)), in L'Islet RCM, Quebec, the river runs northeast and east across the Canada–United States border in Maine Township 14, Range 16, WELS, to the Saint John River in Northwest Aroostook T 15, R 13.

The "Big Black River" is rooted in the Talon Township in the municipality of Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard, Quebec, in Notre Dame Mountains.

This confluence is located: From the confluence of the "Big Black River", the Saint John River (Bay of Fundy) flows to the East and Northeast through the Maine, then East and Southeast crossing the New Brunswick.

Finally, the current empties on the North bank of the Bay of Fundy which opens to the Southwest on the Atlantic Ocean.

The toponym "Grande rivière Noire" (Big Black River) was officialized as of December 5, 1968, at Commission de toponymie du Québec (Quebec Place Names Board).