[2] The river's name is a corruption of the Quileute term dichoh dock-teacer or de tho date t doh, pronounced "dā tȯ dȯtch't dōh".

[3] The East Fork Dickey River is approximately 16 miles (26 km) long and originates at 48°7′4″N 124°24′40″W / 48.11778°N 124.41111°W / 48.11778; -124.41111,[4] in the northwestern Olympic Peninsula.

It flows generally south to join the West Fork Dickey River.

[2] The main stem Dickey River originates at the confluence of the East and West Forks and flows generally south for approximately 7 miles (11 km).

The confluence of the Dickey and Quillayute Rivers occurs within the narrow coastal strip of Olympic National Park.