The Chinipas arises deep in the Sierra Madre Occidental in the state of Chihuahua, and then flows through long rugged canyon systems into the state of Sinaloa until it finally joins the main trunk of the Fuerte River in the western foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

The Fuerte River then flows westward over the western coastal plain of Sonora to the Pacific Ocean, emerging very near the port of Topolobampo.

Topographically the Copper Canyon region is a very rugged and remote area with few towns and few roads.

The mining town of Maguarichi, Chihuahua lies in another side canyon to the north of the Chinipas river.

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway, also known as El Chepe from its reporting mark CHP) passes through this area.