The Saline River stands as the last major undammed stream in the entire Ouachita Mountain drainage, flowing through central and southern Arkansas before joining the Ouachita River at Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Ashley County. The river system comprises three major divisions—the North Fork, Middle Fork, and Alum Fork—which converge above Benton in Saline County. Below this confluence point, the river transitions from its upper character and flattens as it traverses southward through Grant, Cleveland, Bradley, and Ashley counties. Dense forests line the river banks throughout its course, creating an illusion of wilderness along much of its length despite flowing through populated regions.

The relatively unspoiled nature of the waterway supports diverse wildlife including deer, mink, river otters, beavers, muskrats, and numerous bird species that paddlers regularly encounter. This undammed status allows the river to maintain natural flow patterns and habitat conditions increasingly rare in Arkansas waterways.

The Saline offers exceptional fishing opportunities that vary by river section. Smallmouth bass dominate the upper reaches in Saline and Grant counties, while largemouth bass occupy the lower sections through Bradley and Ashley counties. The intermediate waters support healthy populations of spotted bass that overlap into both zones. Panfish including warmouth, longear sunfish, and green sunfish provide consistent action, with bluegills and crappie also present. The river maintains a productive Arkansas walleye fishery, and channel catfish are common throughout. Rock bass associate with smallmouth bass populations in the upper third of the waterway.

For much of the year, the river's character lends itself to a "wade a little, fish a little" approach, making canoes the preferred watercraft for anglers and paddlers alike. The combination of natural flow, diverse fish populations, and wilderness atmosphere creates excellent backcountry floating experiences.

Access to the river is available at Benton in Saline County, with the river flowing through increasingly remote country as it progresses southward. The journey from the forks' convergence to the Ouachita confluence covers substantial distance through seven counties, offering extended trip possibilities for experienced paddlers seeking multi-day wilderness experiences.

The Saline's undammed status and relatively pristine condition make it a significant resource for understanding natural river systems in the Ouachita drainage. Its protection from major development has preserved both ecological value and recreational opportunities increasingly difficult to find in the region.