The Vals River (Afrikaans: Valsrivier) is a tributary of the Vaal River in the Free State, South Africa. It is a strong seasonal river.

This river of the Middle Vaal System is a good place for fishing, especially the local Largemouth Yellowfish.

The river source is about 20 km southeast of Paul Roux and about 25 km southeast of Bethlehem. It flows under the N5 road shortly after its source. In its upper course the Vals River flows roughly northwards, bending northwestwards across the highveld towards Lindley and meandering across the plain.

In its middle course there are a number of weirs as it flows mostly through areas of dryland crops and its waters are used for irrigation. The Vals receives a number of small tributaries, the most important of which are the Blomspruit and the Liebenbergstroom. It finally meets the Vaal after crossing the city of Kroonstad.

• Serfontein Dam, near Kroonstad
• Barend Wessel Dam, by Kroonstad
• Bloemhoek Dam, in the Jordaan Spruit

• List of rivers in South Africa

• Free State Region River Systems
• Free State residents worried about sewage flowing into the Vals River