The natural environment in and around Karlstad is flourishing and has a wealth of variety. To the north there are extensive coniferous forests. To the south, farming land stretches out to Lake Vänern and its 22.000 islands.

Karlstad was one of the first municipalitys in Sweden to establish small, local nature reserves. Today ,the municipality has 11 reserves within its borders.

The river Klarälven flows through the centre of Karlstad. It rises high in the Norwegian hills and forms an exciting delta as it empties into Lake Vänern. The delta landscape gives shelter to a great variety af birdspecies and other animals like beavers.