It drains a small watershed of about 40 square miles (100 km2) on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

"[4] The river's lower course flows through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, and the Superior Hiking Trail ascends and descends both banks.

[1] The East and West Split Rock River branches arise in wetlands near Legler Lake.

The logging operation included the town of Splitrock, Minnesota, at the river mouth and a 10-mile-long (16 km) rail line to carry lumber down to the lakeshore.

During the Mataafa Storm of November 28, 1905, seven ships were wrecked within a dozen miles of the Split Rock River, including the steel steamboat William Edenborn right at its mouth.