The basin areas have sagebrush steppe vegetation, but also has temperate grassland soils with a dark, humus-rich surface layer containing high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which soil is good for cool season grasses. Overall, the ecoregion is drier and not suitable for agriculture however, rangeland is common and both dry land and irrigated agriculture occur in eastern basins.

Ranges are generally covered in mountain sagebrush, mountain brush, and Idaho fescue at lower and mid-elevations. Trees, including Douglas-fir and aspen are common at higher elevations.

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion contains arid tablelands, intermontane basins, dissected lava plains, and scattered mountains.