The approximately 36-mile (58 km) long stream rises on the western side of South Pass and flows into the Little Sandy Creek near Farson, Wyoming.

The stream is a notable landmark on the Oregon, California and Mormon emigration trails.

[2] South Pass was first discovered by European-American traders in 1812; the first wagon trains crossed in 1832.

Pacific Creek was the first water that the trains encountered after leaving the Sweetwater River at Burnt Ranch on the eastern side of the pass.

[3] After leaving Pacific Creek, the wagon trains entered a dry stretch of the trail with the next good water nearly 40 miles (64 km) away at the Green River.