The reserve is located on the west bank of Slave River within Wood Buffalo National Park, and comprises 213 ha (530 acres).

As the park's superintendent then performed most of his duties from Ottawa, Hay Camp thus served as its de facto administrative center.

As early as 1923, the meadows around Hay Camp were being cut to provide winter feed for the park wardens' horses, and by the spring of 1925 a house, stable, and warehouse had been constructed on the site.

In 1952, it was decided to conduct the park's annual buffalo slaughter at a permanent abattoir in Hay Camp, and to sell the meat commercially.

In 1994, a decision was made to remove all man-made structures and debris from Hay Camp, returning the site to a "natural state".