It is bounded by (from the south and clockwise) Austria and the districts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Weilheim-Schongau, Starnberg, Munich and Miesbach.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen is one of the alpine districts on the German-Austrian borders.

The valley of the Upper Isar River separates the Bavarian Alps from the Karwendel, a portion of the Alps mainly located in Austria.

The Isar River enters the district in the southwest and runs northwards, passing the two main towns of the district, Bad Tölz and Wolfratshausen.

In the high alpine south there are several mountain lakes: Walchensee (16 km2), Kochelsee (6 km2) and Sylvensteinsee (an artificial lake in the course of the Isar River).