The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the local valley (Old Norse: Holtdalr and later Holtáll).

Later, around the year 1400, the suffix changed to áll which means "ditch" or "gully" (ålen is the modern definite form of this word).

The official blazon is "Gules, a grouse argent" (Norwegian: I rødt en stående sølv rype).

The ptarmigan has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

The Gauldalen valley with the river Gaula originates from the mountainous area near the mining town of Røros, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Renbygda, which is listed as a World Heritage Site.

At the village of Renbygda the deep Gauldalen valley disappears into the mountains, not far from the lake Riasten.

The highest point in the municipality is the 1,320-metre (4,330 ft) tall mountain Forollhogna[1] that is located within the national park.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Holtålen is made up of 11 representatives that are elected to four-year terms.