Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve is situated in the highest portion of the Swan Hills uplands. Flat-topped to steeply-sloping hills rise 600 metres above the surrounding lowlands. An impressive north-facing escarpment dissected by pronounced gullies is found near the southern boundary. The most extensive vegetation type is coniferous forest dominated by balsam/subalpine fir crosses, Engelmann/white spruce crosses and lodgepole pine. Tall shrub communities of alder and willow occur on moist slopes.