The wilderness area is located northeast of Covelo, 45 miles (72 km) west of Red Bluff and Interstate 5, and east of Garberville and U.S. Route 101.

The wilderness has Coast Range and Klamath montane, mixed evergreen and Douglas fir forest types.

The Cedar Basin area is also home to the farthest western stand of Quaking Aspen trees.

Wildlife in the wilderness includes black bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, gray fox, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, northern flying squirrel, fisher and martin.

The northern spotted owl can be found here, as well as eagles, hawks, turkey vultures and smaller birds like grouse, quail, and band-tailed pigeon.

Rainbow trout live in most larger streams, such as in the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek, and in Black Rock Lake.

One modern landslide near Ides Cove, on the north flank of Mount Linn, reached more than two miles (3 km) toward the South Fork Cottonwood Creek,[10] upending old-growth forests and leaving large fissures on its perimeter.

Recreational activities include backpacking, day-hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and nature photography.

The US Forest Service encourages visitors to use Leave No Trace ethics when visiting the wilderness to minimize impact to the environment.