The climbing prairie rose is a medium-sized deciduous shrub that climbs like a vine by using its prickles. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and has a wide-spreading or rambling habit. The long climbing or trailing stems require the support of a fence or arbor. With support, the shrub can grow to a height of 15 feet and a width of 10 feet. The stems have short, thick, and slightly curved or straight prickles. The spring and summer foliage is dark green compound leaves that have three leaflets. In the fall, the leaves are bronze, purple, and red. The flowers are mildly rose-scented and bloom from mid-June through July. They are pink to rose pink with five petals and golden stamens in the center. The flowers are followed by bright red rose hips in the fall and contain a cluster of achenes. The shrub is a member of the Rosaceae or rose family.
 
The climbing prairie rose is native to southeast Canada and the central and eastern United States. The shrub is typically found along roadsides, thickets, streams, pastures, and fence rows. This species has been in cultivation since 1810.