It begins in the Porcupine Hills and flows northward and meets up with the Etomami River south of the town of Hudson Bay.

The part of the river that runs west to east past McBride Lake is paralleled by Highway 983 and the north flowing leg at the lower end of the river is paralleled by Highway 982, also known as Little Swan Road.

The course of the Pepaw River takes it through boreal forest, muskeg, glacier-formed valleys, and several lakes.

The river begins at a small unnamed lake in the Porcupine Hills and flows north through forest and rolling hills before flowing into a valley and emptying into the western end of the narrow Eldredge Lake.

[11] These parks offer a variety of activities including camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and picnicking.