It is native to the Southwestern United States and California, where it grows in many types of sagebrush, chaparral, scrub, woodland, and forest habitat.

Penstemon rostriflorus is a perennial herb growing in clumps of many erect stems from a woody base.

The leaves are linear to lance-shaped, smooth-edged, and up to 7 centimeters long.

The glandular inflorescence bears tubular red to orange-red flowers 2 to 3 centimeters long.

The mouth of the flower has a hooded upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip.