[2] The river begins at Cowan Lake Dam[3] near the northern end of Cowan Lake and flows north-west through muskeg and forest to meet Beaver River.

The entirety of Cowen River is within the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District and while there are no communities along its course, the towns of Big River and Spiritwood are in its watershed.

[4] At either end of the river, there's a provincial recreation site.

The park has 11 free campsites along the east bank of Beaver River and access is from Highway 155.

[8] Fish commonly found in Cowan River include walleye and northern pike.