On both sides of Wijdefjorden there is High Arctic steppe vegetation, dominated by grasses and extremely dry, basic earth.

There are several exclusive species in the national park, including Stepperøykvein, Puccinellia svalbardensis, Gentianella tenella and Kobresia simpliciuscula.

Of the larger fjords on Svalbard, Wijdefjorden is the least affected by humans, although a trapping station has been built at Austfjordnes.

Combined with the exposed basic earth, this results in Europe's only High Arctic steppe.

[6] The fjord has a unique shape; it has a wide mouth (thus the name), but at Elvetangen there is a shallow section which is 50 metres (160 ft) deep.

This reduces the circulation in the inner parts of the fjord, which have a cold-water basin 250 metres (820 ft) deep.

[9] The North Atlantic Current moderates Svalbard's temperatures, particularly during winter, giving it up to 20 °C (36 °F) higher winter temperature than similar latitudes in continental Russia and Canada, keeping the surrounding waters open and navigable most of the year.

The shelter of the mountains gives the inland fjord areas less temperature difference than the coast.

Trappers considered the area to have few polar bears but much fox; they could also supplement the catch with common eider.

[15] Traditionally, the mining industry in Svalbard has had more rights to operations within protected areas than in mainland Norway, where all such activities would be completely banned.

Indre Wijdefjorden has the most strict regulations, with a total ban on construction of buildings and facilities, laying of cables and roads, earthwork, drainage, drilling, blasting, and excavation of petroleum, gas and minerals.

[17] Svalbard, and thus the national park, is on Norway's tentative list for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

[21] Animals that can be found in the park include polar bear, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic fox.

[6] Entrance to national park is available by boat in Wijdefjorden from the north, or over land from Billefjorden and Dicksonfjorden from the south.

Beaches have large amounts of driftwood from Siberia, which can be used for campfires with the same location restrictions as tenting.

[29] Most flora and fauna are protected; the right to gather established with the freedom to roam does not apply in national parks, although there are some exceptions.

[33] This includes the requirement to sign a special insurance policy to cover any search and rescue costs the Governor would incur, should it be necessary.