[3] Formed by two forks that drain part of the White Mountains, it begins in Navajo County and ends in Gila County, where it meets the Black River to form the Salt River.

[5] The White River lies entirely within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in the east-central part of the state.

[3] Originating near the Mogollon Rim, the North Fork flows generally west through Apache County to near McNary and then south through Navajo County to near Fort Apache.

[5][6] The East Fork flows generally west from near Mount Baldy in Apache County to the confluence with the North Fork near Fort Apache.

[9] An earlier Spanish-language alternative name for the stream was Sierra Blanca River.