[2][3] Juniperus pinchotii is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree growing to 1–6 metres (3+1⁄2–19+1⁄2 feet) tall, usually multistemmed, and with a dense, rounded crown.

The bark is pale gray, exfoliating in thin longitudinal strips, exposing orange brown underneath.

The cones are berry-like, with soft resinous flesh, subglobose to ovoid, 5–8 mm (rarely 10 mm) long, orange-red, often with a pale pink waxy bloom, and contain one or two seeds; they are mature in about 12 months from pollination.

[3] They have also occasionally been reported with Juniperus monosperma, but never verified; all claimed hybrids tested have proven not to be.

These two are unable to hybridize in nature, being isolated by pollination time (autumn for J. pinchotii, late winter for J. monosperma).