The river is 50.7 miles (81.6 km) long[2] and flows entirely within Tulare County.

It rises at roughly 6,800 feet (2,100 m) above sea level in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on the northwest slope of Bull Run Peak.

It flows west, receiving several seasonal tributaries including Arrastre Creek, Coarse Gold Creek and Coho Creek, passing the small settlement of White River.

The dry riverbed continues northwest into the agricultural San Joaquin Valley and is diverted into canals for flood control and irrigation purposes.

The river terminates about 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Delano, short of the historic Tulare Lake.