Cains Mountain Wilderness Area protects mature hardwood and mixedwood forest hills near Iona, including some provincially rare karst forest.

Protection of these lands improves representation of the Central Cape Breton Hills natural landscape within the provincial protected areas network.

The area offers opportunities for walking, hunting, trapping, cross country skiing and other outdoor adventure.

Some interest has been expressed in off-highway vehicle use on an abandoned public road which crosses this wilderness area. The Minister of Environment has authority to authorize such use if a responsible organization is willing to manage this route under an agreement.

Wilderness area designation of an additional 89 hectares near MacKinnon Road will take effect if overlapped mineral rights expire and no new rights are granted.