The Hughes River was named by frontiersman Jesse Hughes, who discovered the waterway in 1772. The river drains Ritchie and part of Wirt County before emptying into the Little Kanawha River near Parkersburg.

About 12 miles upstream, the Hughes River splits into the North Fork (57 miles long) and the South Fork (54 miles long).

Geologically, the river has carved deep channels into tough sandstone, creating steep cliffs and narrow valleys. This area, including the Hughes River Wildlife Management Area, is home to a variety of fish, including muskie and bass, and is popular for hunting.