The stream
headwaters are located in southwest
Texas County just north of the community of
Dunn and
U. S. Route 60. The stream flows east and southeast passing just south of
Cabool passing under Route 60 Business,
Missouri Route 181 and
U. S. Route 63. The stream course turns northeast and runs parallel to Route 63 passing under it three times before turning northwest to the north of
Simmons. The stream meanders north passing under
Missouri Route 17 to the west of
Houston and east of
Bucyrus. The stream continues north passing under
Missouri Route 32 and on past
Hazleton passing the Paddy Creek Recreation Area and the Slabtown Spring area. The stream enters southeastern
Pulaski County. It continues north past
Ross Bridge and through an eastern section of the
Fort Leonard Wood reservation. North of Fort Leonard Wood the stream veers sharply east, briefly passing through a section of
Phelps County north of
Spring Creek. It meanders back west and flows past
Moab and
Devils Elbow before passing under
Interstate 44 and past
Hooker before reaching its confluence with the Gasconade. Big Piney River was so named on account of thick pine timber near its banks. ==See also==