The Crooked River flows through Crook County, Deschutes County and Jefferson County's. The name is quite descriptive. The Prineville Dam creates the Prineville Reservoir on the river, where Prineville Reservoir State Park is located. The river merges with the Deschutes River and the Metolius River at Cove Palisades State Park.

Segments of the river provide expert class IV-V kayaking/rafting during spring runoff. A portion of the river, from the Ochoco National Forest to Opal Springs, flows through scenic vertical basalt canyons.