The elevation of Drift Creek ranges from 150 to 1,500 feet (46 to 457 m), and is characterized by long steep slopes with broken and uneven terrain.

[3] Drift Creek Wilderness generally receives some 120 inches (3,000 mm) of rain per year, which leads to a very lush environment.

[3] Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, and black bear share Drift Creek Wilderness with two endangered Oregon species - the northern spotted owl and the bald eagle.

In autumn, Chinook and coho salmon, as well as steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout use Drift Creek, a tributary of the Alsea River, to spawn.

[4] Primary recreational activities in Drift Creek Wilderness include hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.