The Bistriţa River (sometimes referred to as Bistriţa Moldoveană River) is a river in the Romanian region of Moldavia. Near Bacău it flows into the Siret River. It flows through the counties Suceava, Neamţ and Bacău. The towns Vatra Dornei, Bicaz, Piatra Neamţ, Roznov, Buhuşi, Bacău lie along the Bistriţa.

The upper reach is also known as Bistriţa Aurie River German: Goldene Bistritz

The following dams have been constructed on the Bistriţa River; Topoliceni, Izvorul Muntelui, Pângăraţi, Vaduri, Piatra Neamţ, Reconstrucţia, Racova, Gârleni, Lilieci, Bacău.

The following towns are situated along the river Bistriţa, from source to mouth: Vatra Dornei, Bicaz, Piatra Neamţ, Roznov, Zăneşti, Şovoaia, Ruseni, Podoleni, Rediu, Socea, Mănoaia, Neamţ, Buhuşi and, Bacău.

The following rivers are the major tributaries to the river Bistriţa: Bicaz, Bistricioara, Cracău and Dorna.