The river is named after Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose one of the early governors of NSW. The river descends 950 metres over its 54 kilometres course.

The towns of Mount Victoria and Bell sit near the headwaters of the Grose River from hear it flows in an easterly direction within the Blue Mountains National Park (through the Grose Valley) before reaching its confluence with the Hawkesbury/Nepean River near Agnes Banks.

Hiking is the best access method to the upper Grose River. There are numerous walks into the river through the Blue Gum Forest area located at the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. This area has a few remnant trout and in wet summers a few bass make it up almost as far as Govetts Creek. In an average summer bass are not found this far up river.

The middle reaches are harder to access as there are fewer trails into the area. Faulconbridge Point is a steep rough access route into prime bass habitat in this stretch of the river.
The lower river is easy to access at Yarrumundi Bridge. The bass fishing in the lower river is often excellent in spring and early summer.

The river is known mostly as a summer bass fishery, although eels, Macquarie Perch (totally protected), eel tailed catfish and a few trout are present. The best bass fishing is typically at dusk and dawn or immediately following heavy rain or during minor flooding (never entre flood waters).

Bass fishing with surface lures, spinner baits and hard body lures is popular with spin anglers.
Fly fishing with large dry flies such as surface poppers, grass hoppers and christmas beetles is very popular particularly at dusk and following heavy rain. Streamers and nymphs are preferred during the middle of the day when the fish are less active near the surface.

Trout fishing in the upper river is best in the cooler month.