It has its headwaters at Contwoyto Lake, flows across the Precambrian Shield's Contwoyto Plateau, flows through isolated and rugged tundra, into Lake Kathawachaga, and through the Wilberforce Hills region.

[2] The river has an island, Nadlak, historically notable for Inuit use of caribou antlers as hut roof infrastructures.

Plants along the shoreline include dwarf willow and alder, plus 125 different wild flowers.

[3] Copper Inuit artifacts and gravestones are located in the Burnside River area, along with trade items (needles, tools) they received from Dene.

[3] From 1930 to 1964, a Hudson's Bay Company trading post operated at the river's mouth where the community of Bathurst Inlet formed.