[1][2] The river begins somewhere in western Central Alberta after the confluence of small tributaries.

The source is located near Butte, Caroline, and is not far from the Clearwater River, which is part of a different watershed altogether.

The river flows east until it is crossed by Alberta Highway 761 near Stauffer, where it heads in a southeasterly direction.

North Raven River is a very popular spot for anglers, and considered one of the best in Alberta.

Being a part the Red Deer River system, the North Raven River may also contain northern pike, sauger, lake whitefish, yellow perch, burbot, lake sturgeon, mountain whitefish, goldeye, brown trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, emerald shiner, river shiner, spottail shiner, flathead chub, longnose dace, quillback carpsucker, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, trout‐perch, spoonhead sculpine, lake chub, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, finescale dace, fathead minnow, brook stickleback, and muskellunge.