[6] It flows south through the rugged mountains and forests of the West Kootenays, being joined by several creeks along its course.

Apex Creek, which flows from Ymir Mountain,[7] joins the Salmo river just south of the turnoff from Highway 6 for Whitewater Ski Resort.

[9] The river then continues south to the community of Porto Rico, where it is joined by Barrett Creek.

The Salmo River Ranch, a large ranch that is known as the site of Shambhala Music Festival (an annual electronic music festival that takes place at the end of July since 1998) is located on this portion of the riverbank.

[21] Once the South Salmo joins the main stem, the river turns west and flows for a few kilometres before finally discharging into the Pend d'Oreille River just north of the Canada–United States border at the ghost town of Remac.