 From its beginning in Durango to where it crosses into Nayarit, the river is called Quebrada de San Bartolo; farther downstream it's referred to as the Acaponeta.Crossing the municipalities of Pueblo Nuevo, Durango; and Huajicori and Acaponeta, in Nayarit; it passes by the regions of Mineral de Cucharas, Quiviquinta, Huajicori, Acaponeta, San Felipe Aztatán, Tecuala, Milpas Viejas, El Filo and Quimichis; with its mouth in Estero de Teacapán, in a place called Puerta del Río (River's gate).The river has a total length of until Barra del Novillero; in the last , given its gentle slope, it is navagable by canoe, even in the dry seasons.