The name is derived from the Czech word kamenný, i.e. 'stony'.

[2] The Kamenice originates in the territory of Bedřichov in the Jizera Mountains at an elevation of 1,007 m (3,304 ft) and flows to Semily-Spálov, where it enters the Jizera River at an elevation of 283 m (928 ft).

[3] Its drainage basin has an area of 218.6 km2 (84.4 sq mi).

The longest tributaries of the Kamenice are:[3] The river flows through the municipal territories of Bedřichov, Josefův Důl, Janov nad Nisou, Albrechtice v Jizerských horách, Tanvald, Jiřetín pod Bukovou, Smržovka, Velké Hamry, Plavy, Zlatá Olešnice, Držkov, Vlastiboř, Jesenný, Bozkov, Železný Brod and Semily.

The Josefův Důl Reservoir was built on the upper course of the Kamenice in 1976–1982.