The Rivière Kipawa flows through the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec, running through and adjacent to Opémican National Park near the Ontario-Quebec border, roughly three hours from Témiscamingue. The river drains through a series of lakes and rapids before eventually connecting to Lake Kipawa and the broader watershed near Lake Timiskaming.

The main access point for the upper river is at the south end of Wolf Lake, from which paddlers travel approximately 2 km across the lake before entering the river on the left. A second access point exists at a bridge further downstream, which also serves as a useful scouting location for the first significant rapid on the route. The standard takeout for the upper section is at Lac Charette, reached via a creek in the northwest arm of Lac Brennan, with a return drive to Témiscamingue of approximately two hours.

The upper Kipawa begins with three straightforward Class 1 rapids before reaching a larger Class 2 set beneath the bridge, which features two channels: the right channel is more technical with smaller water, while the left channel carries larger waves. A portage takeout is available on river left at this set. Further downstream, Turner Falls is a notable feature, followed by one additional Class 2 rapid with an optional portage on river right. Wider sections of the river and Lac Brennan can be subject to strong headwinds, which paddlers should factor into daily planning.

The river corridor passes through remote, rugged terrain characterized by old-growth white pine and exposed rock. An old mining site on an island approximately 1.5 km into Lac Brennan contains the rare mineral Amazonite and is accessible as a side trip. The Grande-Chute is a well-known waterfall on the lower river within Opémican National Park, accessible via Chemin de la rivière Kipawa. The park also features the Hollywood Rapids, visible from hiking trails along the river.

Campsites are distributed along the route, including two sites just downstream of the bridge rapid, with the river-left site generally considered the better of the two, and several beach campsites at the entrance to Lac Brennan suitable for swimming and fishing. Shuttle and drop-off services for the upper route are available through at least one outfitter based in the region.