Karna Prayag is at the confluence of Alaknanda and Pindari rivers. The hillside around Karna Prayag are covered with jungles of pine. The morning breeze produces gentle rustling sounds in the pine jungles. At the confluence, the roaring rivers bring huge quantities of logs. Karna, the son of Kunti and Surya propitiated Surya at the holy confluence and was blessed with unusual might. Badrinath route from Kuamon (Almora) and Garhwal unites at Karna Prayag.

One road bifurcates from Karna Prayag to Gwaldam/Almora and the other goes via Nand Prayag to Badrinath. From the Karna Prayag - Gwaldam route, one can visit the mystery lake of Rookund and Homkund via Zorawar gali (5350 m).