[3] The Bonnechere River begins in Algonquin Provincial Park at McKaskill Lake in geographic Clancy Township in the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District.

It continues southeast through the Crooked Chute, over the High Falls, through the Stacks Rapids to the unincorporated place Basin Depot, located on a former logging road.

The river continues southeast out of the park at Boundary access point (Access point Q), enters geographic Burns Township in Madawaska Valley, Renfrew County, then heads into geographic Richards Township in Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards, Renfrew County, takes in the left tributary Pine River, passes through the Jack Chute Rapids, and reaches Round Lake, where it takes in the right tributary Sherwood River.

Currently, Renewable Power Generation (RPG) utilizes the river's water to turn turbines and produce electricity, which is then sold to the Province of Ontario under contract.

The Bonnechere River lies mostly in a 175 million-year-old rift valley called the Ottawa-Bonnechere Graben.

Originally arranged by local Shriners, the run has taken on a less official status, occurring with little to no organization apart from its pre-determined date during Victoria Day weekend.

Having recently surpassed its twenty-fourth year, the river run is a local tradition.