The reserve falls within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA).

Pressure under the Earth's surface thrust the block upward approximately 20 million years ago, resulting in a steep eastern face with a more gentle slope on the western side of the mountain.

During the Ice Age, glaciers carved several deep gorges into the peak and created depressions where Lily, Fish, and Wildhorse lakes now stand.

praeteritus), Steens Mountain thistle (Cirsium peckii), a dwarf blue lupine, and Cusick's buckwheat (Eriogonum cusickii).

Cattle can be found in the wilderness as well, though they are excluded from grazing 98,859 acres (40,007 ha) on top of Steens Mountain.