The North Branch Cedar River rises at 44°08′54″N 84°30′58″W / 44.14833°N 84.51611°W / 44.14833; -84.51611 (North Branch Cedar River (source))[3] in northwest Gladwin County in Sherman Township east of Meredith near the border with Roscommon County, and joins the main branch at 44°01′38″N 84°34′35″W / 44.02722°N 84.57639°W / 44.02722; -84.57639 (North Branch Cedar River (mouth))[3] a few miles northwest of Wiggins Lake.

The Middle Branch Cedar River rises at 44°06′47″N 84°37′23″W / 44.11306°N 84.62306°W / 44.11306; -84.62306 (Middle Branch Cedar River (source))[4] in northeast Clare County in Franklin Township just west of Meredith.

It flows mostly south and joins with the West Branch at 44°02′40″N 84°37′54″W / 44.04444°N 84.63167°W / 44.04444; -84.63167 (Middle Branch Cedar River (mouth))[4] in Hamilton Township, near the Gladwin County border.

The West Branch Cedar River rises at 44°06′49″N 84°39′08″W / 44.11361°N 84.65222°W / 44.11361; -84.65222 (West Branch Cedar River (source))[5] in Franklin Township, a few miles southwest of Meredith.

[6] From the mouth: The Cedar River drains portions of the following: