House Mountain is known for its huge sandstone boulders, its wide variety of bird and plant life, and for the views from its two peaks.

[4] House Mountain's base is covered with a mesophytic forest consisting chiefly of maple, tulip poplar, ash, and buckeye.

In a 1983 interview with PM Magazine, John Reece, former WATE-TV program director and former shareholder in the station's ownership, told the intriguing story of how House Mountain contributed a small part to Knoxville's broadcasting history.

According to Reece, WBIR— WATE's VHF rival in Knoxville— had long wanted to move from its original 800-foot (240 m) tower on Sharp's Ridge in downtown Knoxville (which is still standing), to a much higher site atop House Mountain.

The resulting 1,751-foot (534 m) tower, now owned by South Central Communications and used by its local station, WIMZ-FM 103.5, was and still is the tallest man-made structure in the state of Tennessee.

After WBIR was forced to build the tall tower, WATE then sold its newly acquired House Mountain property to a private owner.

The House Mountain State Natural Area consists of 527 acres (2.13 km2) managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Knox County Parks & Recreation.