Cope Butte is a 3,754-foot (1,144 m) prominence adjacent the course of the Colorado River, in the Grand Canyon and sitting on the south side of Granite Gorge.

The butte has a narrow, triangular footprint, and contains a northwest-by-south slightly arcuate ridgeline spire.

The prominence is near the north terminus of the sharp ridgeline, and is composed of white Surprise Canyon Formation.

Because Cope Butte sits on Granite Gorge (Tonto Platform, south side) the Tonto Trail traverses northwest-to-southeast around the butte's base.

The Hermit Trail, from the south, and from Hermits Rest viewpoint (South Rim), excursions down Cathedral Stairs (red Supai Group units), and courses down the southwest base of the butte, to enter Lower Hermit Canyon.