The Spoon River originates in Stark County, Illinois, where its East and West Forks converge near Kewanee before flowing southward for approximately 147 miles through the heart of west-central Illinois. The river winds through Knox, Stark, Fulton, Peoria, and Mason Counties before emptying into the Illinois River near Havana. Named from the Illinois and Potawatomi word "emiquon," referring to the abundant mussel shells Native Americans used as spoons, the Spoon River drains roughly 1,850 square miles of predominantly agricultural landscape interspersed with forested ravines and bottomlands.

Paddling the Spoon River offers an intimate, meandering experience through relatively remote countryside. The river's slow, steady current makes it accessible to novice paddlers, though its narrow channel and steep banks present challenges when downed trees create obstructions. Five documented sections provide varied experiences: the Dahinda to Maquon stretch (easy, slow and steady flow), the London Mills area with its boat ramp access, the section below Bernadotte Dam featuring riffles, the Blyton to Seville route, and the Maquon to London Mills segment. Access points are notably primitive, requiring preparation for less-developed launch sites. The river flows best during spring and early summer when water levels support navigation. Late summer and fall often bring low water requiring frequent dragging or portaging. The only dam on the entire river sits at Bernadotte, constructed during World War II to supply water to nearby Camp Ellis—a mandatory portage point for through-paddlers.

Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish inhabit the river's pools and riffles. The corridor supports white-tailed deer, coyotes, wild turkey, and an increasing population of wild boar along the watercourse. Bottomland hardwoods including cottonwood, sycamore, silver maple, and black willow line the banks, while upland oak-hickory forests crown the surrounding bluffs.

Key access points include London Mills (with Riverside Park and boat ramp), Bernadotte (featuring the historic iron bridge and dam), and various county road crossings. The river passes through the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive corridor, which attracts thousands during the annual fall festival in October.

Paddlers should respect extensive private property boundaries along 98% of the river's length, plan carefully for the considerable distances between access points, and exercise caution around the Bernadotte Dam. The narrow channel and frequent obstructions make solo paddling inadvisable. Multi-day trips are impractical due to limited legal camping options and access restrictions, though ambitious paddlers occasionally attempt extended sections with careful shuttle planning.