Significant previous oil and gas exploration activity has left seismic cut lines throughout the park allowing access via off-road vehicles.

In the spring of 1950 the watershed of the Chinchaga River experienced drought conditions that extended over boreal regions of northern Canada.

[9] In 2008 and 2009 the final size was considerably larger than previous estimates, placing the total burned area at 1.7 million hectares (4.2×10^6 acres).

[12] In 2000, the provincial government authorized logging by Daishowa-Marubeni and Manning Diversified Forest Products in another part of Chinchaga shortly after giving the wildpark area protected status.

[19][20] The Köppen climate classification of the park is Continental, Subarctic (Dfc) characterized by long, cold winters, and short, warm to cool summers.

This provides habitat for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) which are Endangered Species in Alberta[23][24] and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos).

[25] Other species include including, muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), marten (Martes americana), fisher (Martes pennant), moose (Alces alces), wolf (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx canadensis), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), and numerous other small mammals, furbearers, raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl.

[26] Caribou are considered a species "at risk" of declining due to non-viable population levels and are designated as "threatened" under the Alberta Wildlife Act.

Nationally, the status of woodland caribou varies considerably across the species’ range, with Alberta populations listed as "threatened".

"[27] The boreal ecotype of woodland caribou that inhabit Chinchaga Wildland Park and adjacent areas are largely restricted to peatland complexes.

[27] They require large home ranges and distinct calving and wintering areas that extend beyond the current Park boundaries.