The Disaster Peak WSA lies in the west-central Trout Creek Mountains at the headwaters of Kings River and McDermitt Creek. It includes part of the main ridgeline of the Trout Creek Mountains, stream valleys and rolling sage hills. This WSA has an irregular horseshoe shape, and measures 10 miles long and 8 miles wide. Elevations range from 6,540 to 8,000 feet. This is one of a group of five Wilderness Study Areas located in both Nevada and Oregon that, collectively, are known as the Trout Creek Combination.

The WSA sits on the divide separating the Coyote Lake Basin in Oregon from the Humboldt Basin in Nevada. This area's diverse terrain ranges from broad, flat ridges to deep, wide canyons. Canyon slopes are made of broken rock rims, outcrops and scree slopes.

Disaster Peak, proper, is a large, symmetrical butte that is visible from afar. McDermitt Caldera, a large volcanic collapse feature, is situated to the east. In the western part of the WSA an extensive badlands area called "The Granites" is named for the Cretaceous granite outcrops that rise at the base of the volcanic ridgeline.

Many miles of canyons and tributaries make natural travel ways. In places it is the numerous game and cow trails that allow access through the otherwise impenetrable vegetation. Water and campsites are abundant. Hiking and camping, hunting and fishing, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing are popular here. The major canyons provide many hiking routes which vary in distance and difficulty.