The Little River originates high in the Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, beginning in Le Flore County at elevations exceeding 2,000 feet. From these rugged headwaters, the river flows generally southward through Pushmataha County before turning southeast into McCurtain County. Crossing into Arkansas, it continues through Sevier, Little River, and Hempstead counties before joining the Red River near Fulton, Arkansas. This 217-mile journey encompasses approximately 4,204 square miles of drainage area split between Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The upper reaches from Honobia, Oklahoma to Pine Creek Lake offer approximately 46 river miles of Class I-II whitewater suitable for intermediate paddlers. This section features a moderate gradient with clear water, small rapids, and scenic forested banks characteristic of the Ouachita Mountains. However, water levels from July through September often become insufficient for paddling without recent rainfall. Below Pine Creek Lake, the river transitions into lowland character, flowing through swamps and slower pools where the Mountain Fork tributary adds significant volume near Wright City, Oklahoma.

The lower river through Arkansas presents primarily flatwater paddling through the Little River National Wildlife Refuge and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. These sections feature bald cypress forests and seasonally flooded bottomland hardwoods. Millwood Lake, created by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam, impounds a significant portion of the Arkansas reach, creating 29,200 acres of reservoir.

Wildlife includes American alligators at the northwestern limit of their range, particularly in Millwood Lake and the lower river swamps. The river supports diverse fish populations and hosts breeding alligator populations—a notable feature for this latitude. Bald cypress trees dominate the riparian zones in lower sections, while mixed hardwood and pine forests characterize the mountainous upper watershed.

Public access points include the Honobia area in Le Flore County, various locations around Pine Creek Lake in McCurtain County, and multiple sites near Millwood Lake in Arkansas. The river passes near Idabel, Oklahoma and DeQueen, Arkansas, though no major cities lie directly on its banks.

Paddlers should note that the upper river flows through the Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area, where permits may be required unless launching and exiting at public access points while remaining waterborne. The river's flow varies dramatically with rainfall, and the lower sections' remote swamp character requires careful navigation and awareness of alligator presence. Spring and fall typically provide optimal conditions, with spring offering higher flows for upper sections and fall providing comfortable temperatures for exploring lower reaches.