The Smoky Hill River originates in the High Plains of eastern Colorado and flows east. Both the main course of the river and the North Fork Smoky Hill River rise in northern Cheyenne County, Colorado. The two streams converge roughly west of Russell Springs in Logan County, Kansas. From there, the river continues generally eastward through the Smoky Hills region. The Saline River joins the river in eastern Saline County. The Solomon River, joins the Smoky Hill in western Dickinson County. The Smoky Hill joins the Republican River at Junction City, Kansas to form the Kansas River.