It is the northern and larger of the two rivers that flow into the west end of Lake Wenatchee.

A large number of place names in the White River basin, including the river's name itself, were given by Albert H. Sylvester.

The White River originates at White Pass, the pass separating the White River headwaters from the headwaters of the North Fork Sauk River, and flows east until its confluence with Thunder Creek.

From there the river flows southeast all the way to its mouth at the far end of Lake Wenatchee.

About halfway from Thunder Creek to its mouth, the river drops over impressive White River Falls and shortly below that, receives the waters of the remote Napeequa River.