Wapiti is named after the Cree word for elk (waapiti).

It then runs in a north-eastern direction, crosses into Alberta, where it becomes more meandered as it continues through the County of Grande Prairie No.

It merges into the Smoky River 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Grande Prairie.

From west to east, Wapiti River flows through the alpine environment of the Rocky Mountains, the rolling foothills, then farmlands and aspen parkland in western Alberta.

Close to its mouth, Wapiti has an average discharge of 100 cubic metres per second (3,500 cu ft/s).