This reserve contains extensive areas of rough, broken terrain created by water erosion. Site features include bedrock stacks, gullies, fissures and caves (bedrock stacks are rare in Alberta east of the Rockies). Jack pine and aspen-dominated forests are the dominant vegetation. More than 130 bird, 4 bat, 14 furbearer, 6 carnivore, 3 ungulate, 3 amphibian and 1 snake species are found in the area. Rare plants in the reserve include green spleenwort, purple cliff brake & Robert's fern. The Clearwater River from the Alberta-Saskatchewan border west to Ft. McMurray was designated a Canadian Heritage River in April 2004.