Hawk Creek originates in the channeled scablands of eastern Washington, flowing through Lincoln County before joining the Columbia River at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. This tributary system drains a portion of the Big Bend region, where Ice Age floods carved dramatic coulees and exposed basalt formations that define the creek's character today. The creek descends through a rugged canyon environment, dropping approximately 300 feet over its lower reaches before meeting the Columbia. Hawk Creek Falls, located near the mouth, cascades roughly 40 feet over basalt cliffs, creating a distinctive landmark visible from the water trail access point. The creek's flow varies significantly with seasonal precipitation and snowmelt, with spring typically offering the most reliable water levels.

Paddling opportunities on Hawk Creek itself are limited due to its size and gradient, but the creek's confluence with Lake Roosevelt provides water trail access as part of the larger Columbia River system. The National Park Service maintains Hawk Creek Campground and boat launch at this junction, serving as a designated access point for paddlers exploring the reservoir. From this location, paddlers can navigate both upstream and downstream along Lake Roosevelt, with the nearest access points at Fort Spokane (approximately 8.5 miles north) and Seven Bays (roughly 8 miles south).

The surrounding landscape supports shrub-steppe vegetation including sagebrush, bitterbrush, and native bunchgrasses on the uplands, while riparian zones along the creek harbor willows, cottonwoods, and various water-loving species. Wildlife includes mule deer, coyotes, numerous raptor species including golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, and various waterfowl along the reservoir. The basalt cliffs provide nesting habitat for cliff swallows and occasionally peregrine falcons.

The area holds significance as part of the traditional territories of the Spokane, Colville, and other Plateau tribes, who utilized the Columbia River corridor for fishing, gathering, and travel for millennia. The channeled scablands surrounding Hawk Creek represent one of Earth's most dramatic examples of catastrophic flood geology, shaped by repeated Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age.

Access to Hawk Creek requires traveling through rural Lincoln County, with the nearest services located in Davenport (approximately 15 miles southeast) or Miles (closer but with minimal services). The boat launch sits at approximately 1,281 feet elevation when the reservoir is full, though Lake Roosevelt's water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting launch accessibility. A weekly boat launch permit ($10) or annual pass is required for using National Park Service facilities. Paddlers should prepare for exposed conditions with limited shade, strong winds common to the Columbia Basin, and variable water levels that can create hazardous conditions including submerged obstacles and changing currents near the dam-controlled reservoir.