[1] The lithology of the Burro Canyon Formation is dominated by medium- to fine-grained sandstone, much of which has rounded chert and quartz pebbles above scour surfaces.

It underlies the Dakota Formation, from which it is distinguished by the presence of green mudstone and the absence of carbonaceous material.

[3] The formation also contains the pelecypod mollusks Protelliptio douglassi and Unio farri and the conifer Frenelopsis varians.

[7] The Burro Canyon Formation in the southern Chama Basin has been evaluated for its potential for uranium deposits.

Swift proposed the name Deadman's Peak Formation for similar beds in the Chama basin,[12] but this was rejected by A.E.