The Raft River's headwaters are mostly on the east side of the Albion Mountains, southeast of Oakley, Idaho.

But its Clear Creek tributary also drains the north side of the Raft River Mountains in Utah, and runoff from the nearby Grouse Creek Range also flows into the Raft River.

[3] The Oregon Trail crossed the Raft River approximately 2 miles (3 km) south of Interstate 86.

Graves of those who died from being mortally wounded at Massacre Rocks can be found in the same area along the river.

U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Raft River