It runs on 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Matapedia Lake down to the village of Matapédia where it empties into the left bank of Restigouche River on the provincial border of New Brunswick.

The river is a North South divide in the Notre Dame Mountains that characterize the relief of the Gaspé Peninsula.

This water plan 38 kilometres (23.61 mi) is located in the municipality Matapedia Lake, in Notre Dame Mountains.

[5] Another source from the late nineteenth century indicates that the Mi'kmaq named the area Magabegeak which means "roughly flowing".

[13] During the river's most productive and fertile years (generally considered to be between 1890 and 1960), it was a destination for the wealthy and famous from around the world, including Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll,[14] American presidents Nixon and Carter,[15] British royalty, and numerous Hollywood stars.

There are still many private fishing camps on the banks of the lower river, such as Cold Springs, Glen Emma, Runnymeade Lodge, Restigouche Salmon Club and the Tobique, most of them owned by businessmen and large corporations.