A small, naturally growing stand of red spruce trees is on the summit, and the upper slopes also have yellow birch and sugar maple, indicating that the altitude is just high enough to support tree species normally found hundreds of miles to the north.

The area around the mountain is inhabited by a wide array of fauna including black bears, white-tailed deer and the elusive bobcat.

The jeep trail is used by the Forest Service to gain access to a (closed) fire lookout on the summit and is very steep, rising over 2,000 ft (610 m) in less than 2.5 mi (4.0 km).

Just 4 mi (6.4 km) to the south of the mountain lies the town of Augusta Springs, Virginia, which is 2,800 ft (850 m) below the summit.

Elliott Knob is a popular day hike of 14 mi (23 km) for Boy Scouts who attend Camp Shenandoah.