The Elk River estuary is located on the Oregon coast at Port Orford. The estuary is approximately 290 acres in area and has a watershed of approximately 94 square miles.

The Elk River estuary is designated as a Natural estuary under the Oregon Estuary Classification system. The geomorphology of the area is that of a Blind estuary.

The Elk River estuary is located in Curry County. The formerly mining centered economy of Curry County has largely reoriented to agriculture and timber. Port Orford cedar (Lawson Cypress) and myrtlewood are important export products. Port districts were established at Port Orford in 1919 and Gold Beach in 1955. The county has excellent grazing areas for raising cattle and sheep. The county also produces blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and ninety percent of all Easter lilies raised in the United States. Vacation and recreational possibilities in the county draw tourists to the area and provide additional economic diversity. The first county census in 1860 showed a population of 393 in Curry County. There has been a steady increase in population with the 1997 population given at 22,200, a 14.9% increase over 1990.

Narrow rock walls rise from the green pools and frothing Class IV rapids of the Elk River. This turbulent little river winds through a forested canyon beside Grassy Knob Wilderness to the Pacific Ocean near Port Orford. Rafts cannot navigate the river's narrow chutes, tricky boulders, and tight turns, but experienced kayakers find this is just the right spot to test their skills.