The township is in southwestern Carbon County in the valley of Mahoning Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh River.

It is situated near the northeastern end of the Mahoning Hills,[4] the mountainous foothills region to the west of the Lehigh River.

[3] It is drained by Mahoning Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh River, which forms parts of the township's eastern boundary.

The natural northern boundary with Jim Thorpe and Summit Hill is on the south slope of Mauch Chunk Mountain.

Average monthly temperatures at Jake Arner Memorial Airport range from 27.8 °F in January to 72.5 °F in July.

Along a one-mile stretch of Route 443 southwest of Lehighton are located the Carbon Plaza Mall, Walmart, Lowe's, and Aldi.

US 209 proceeds north through the township between Lehighton and Jim Thorpe, although this segment is signed southbound.