Bell County, Texas, about 50 miles from Austin to the south and Waco to the north. The Town of Salado, in which this run starts, is situated along IH 35. Salado Creek is a tributary of the Lampasas River, which is an indirect tributary of the Brazos River via the Leon River.

Waco 50 miles; Dallas 145 miles; Austin 51 miles; San Antonio 130 miles; Houston 180 miles; Oklahoma City 338 miles; Little Rock 464 miles; Kansas City 687 miles; Albuquerque 696 miles; Phoenix 1,033 miles; Denver 898 miles; Salt Lake City 1,314 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.

Water quality is generally excellent, though mirky immediately after heavy rainfall. Typically, Salado Creek is a low volume stream that is generally navigable with some walking except after moderate to heavy rainfall. Low head dams along the river create pools of occasionally deeper water, and must be portaged. It has been reported that game fences obstruct the creek in a couple of places.

Salado Creek is best for canoeing and kayaking right after significant rainfall, but parts of it are navigable almost all the time other than in the summer months or during a prolonged drought period.

Low head dams and game fences are generally the only obstructions in Salado Creek.