The nearest town is Chatham, Michigan, which is located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the wilderness unit's eastern end.

[3] The typical method of logging was to clear-cut all marketable timber and leave the discarded slashings on the forest floor.

The wilderness is now a template of natural succession that contrasts with most of the Hiawatha National Forest, which continues to be managed for harvestable pulpwood.

The wilderness centers on two small sandstone canyons, approximately 150 feet (46 m) deep, through which flow the Rock River and its tributary Silver Creek.

[2][3] Large fauna within the Rock River Canyon Wilderness includes the black bear and the whitetail deer.