It is a strict nature reserve (1st category protected territory according to Bulgarian legislation and IUCN classification).

[1][3][4] Boatin is the westernmost of the nine reserves of the Central Balkan National Park and is located north of the summit of Tetevenska Baba (2,071 m), spanning several small valleys that form the source of the Cherni Vit, one of the two main stems of the river Vit, an important Bulgarian tributary of the Danube.

[4][5] Almost the entire area of Boatin is forested, the most important being the well preserved old-growth woods of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) that cover its lower altitude zones or 82% of its territory.

[4] The beech forests are 130 years old in average, with some trees reaching age over 220 years and height over 40–50 m.[5][4] Other deciduous trees include European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), Heldreich's maple (Acer heldreichii), common aspen (Populus tremula), etc.

Among the resident mammals are brown bear, gray wolf, red fox, European wildcat, beech marten, European pine marten, wild boar, red deer, roe deer and others.