It surrounds a cluster of four overlapping shield volcanoes, the highest of which is 8,208-foot (2,502 m) Aspen Butte.

Over 20 small lakes lie along the bottoms of several large cirques carved by Ice Age glaciers near the summits of the volcanoes.

Popular recreational activities in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness include hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, and fishing.

Both brook and rainbow trout are stocked in Harriette, Como, and West Lakes.

Mystic, Paragon, and South Pass Lakes are only stocked with brook trout.