From headwaters near the mouth of the Shubenacadie River, the Kennetcook traverses about 45 kilometres of mostly rural terrain, discharging into the Avon River at Windsor.

The Kennetcook cuts through fossiliferous limestone rocks for part of its length.

[3] It is a known salmon river popular with anglers.

The village of Kennetcook takes its name from the river, which is a Mi'kmaq word meaning "the place ahead".

[5] A covered bridge over the river in Kennetcook was the last in Nova Scotia.