Rising in the mountains near the Lincoln–Polk county line, it flows east into Polk County, then north and west, re-entering Lincoln County, entering Tillamook County and re-entering Lincoln County near Oregon Route 18. It continues generally west-southwestward through the Siuslaw National Forest, turning west again to enter the Pacific near Cascade Head, about 4 miles (6 km) north of Lincoln City.[7]
Named tributaries from source to mouth are the Little Salmon River, which enters from the right; Boulder Creek, left; Indian, Prairie, and Sulphur creeks, right; Deer Creek, left; Treat River, left; Alder Brook, right; Widow Creek, right.[8]
Then Slick Rock and Bear creeks, left; Panther Creek, right; Willis Creek, left; Deer and Salmon creeks, right; Frazer and Rowdy creeks, left, and Crowley and Teal creeks, right.[8]
McArthur, Lewis A., and McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names, 7th ed. Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN0-87595-277-1.
Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide, 10th ed. Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. ISBN0-916473-15-5.