A tributary of the River Rawthey, it flows for 21.8 kilometres (13.5 mi) primarily through the Garsdale valley.

[1] The Clough is mainly shallow and rocky, with occasional pools large enough for swimming, though the water is always cold.

The A684 (Northallerton to Kendal) road follows the river for seven miles with frequent bridges in the upper part of the dale.

It runs along the Clough from Danny Bridge and highlights rock features along the Dent Fault.

The ancient county through which the Clough River runs is the West Riding of Yorkshire, and it is still part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, though its entire length is now within the South Lakeland district of Cumbria.