Lake Bario is one of a chain of lakes into which the Awash River empties its waters. It is located at the eastern end of the Afar Region of Ethiopia, at 11°22′N 41°36′E / 11.367°N 41.600°ECoordinates: 11°22′N 41°36′E / 11.367°N 41.600°E.
Lake Bario lies in the middle of a swamp, through which it receives its inflow from Lake Afambo to the northeast. Its outflow is on its southern side, which circles around Mount Dama Ali to empty into Lake Abbe.