Beginning near Taylor Butte in the Central Oregon Coast Range, it meanders generally southwest through the Siuslaw National Forest to meet the larger creek at the rural community of Deadwood.

This is 5 miles (8 km) from Lake Creek's confluence with the river near Swisshome and 34 miles (55 km) by water from the Siuslaw River's mouth on the Pacific Ocean at Florence.

[5] The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

[6] The creek supports a population of wild winter steelhead for which catch and release fishing is allowed.

However, fishing is not allowed for any species in Deadwood Creek from April 1 to December 31 to protect Chinook salmon while they are spawning.