[3] Like many of the rock formations in the park, Elephant Butte is composed of Entrada Sandstone.

Double Arch is also a natural feature of Elephant Butte and was used as a backdrop for the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

[4] Precipitation runoff from Elephant Butte drains east into the nearby Colorado River.

[5] Elephant Butte lies above an underground salt bed, causing the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths in the area.

As part of a high desert region, it can experience wide daily temperature fluctuations.