The peak is situated in Chugach National Forest, 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of Whittier, Alaska, at the isthmus of the Kenai Peninsula, where the Kenai Mountains meet the Chugach Mountains.

Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the eastern aspect of the mountain rises up from the western sea-level arms of Prince William Sound.

Bard Peak is often seen and photographed with Shakespeare Shoulder[3] because they are in the background behind Portage Lake, a popular tourist and recreation destination.

The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1969 by the United States Geological Survey, although it was misspelled Baird on their map.

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Bard Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.