It rises in the plains of southeastern Divide County, approximately 10 mi (16 km) east of Wildrose.

It flows east and south, through Mountrail County and joins the Missouri in Lake Sakakawea.

The White Earth River was included as part of the western boundary of the Minnesota Territory (1849-1858).

[1] The law establishing the Minnesota Territory stated the boundary would follow the White Earth River to the Canadian Border.

However, it was unknown at that time that the river's source was not north of the international border.