Springfield is immediately north of Mount Pisgah, and the city of Eugene is about seven miles (11 km) west.

It is the site of the 2,363 acres (956 ha) Howard Buford Recreation Area as well as the non-profit Mount Pisgah Arboretum at its base.

Specific minerals found in the area include agate, calcite, heulandite, jasper, malachite, mesolite, and quartz.

The summit offers a panoramic view of the southern Willamette Valley and includes a bronze relief sculpture (a memorial for Ken Kesey's son Jed) illustrating the surrounding topography and identifying many nearby geographic features.

As an alternative to development or compensation, some have suggested the controversy represents a historic opportunity to purchase the land, integrate it with the existing park, and eventually link the expanded Howard Buford Recreation Area with other undeveloped land as part of a greater Eugene greenway.