Saltonstall Mountain is known for its 100 foot (30 m) scenic cliff faces and sharp ridgeline, unique microclimate ecosystems, rare plant communities, and for Lake Saltonstall, a 3 miles (5 km) long by 0.3 miles (400 m) wide municipal reservoir nearly enclosed by the mountain.

Saltonstall Mountain is traversed by a number of hiking trails managed by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (SCCRWA) and Branford Land Trust.

The mountain formed near the end of the Triassic Period with the rifting apart of the North American continent from Africa and Eurasia.

Subsequent faulting and earthquake activity tilted the strata, creating the cliffs and ridgeline of Saltonstall Mountain.

Hot, dry upper slopes, cool, moist ravines, and mineral-rich ledges of basalt talus produce a combination of microclimate ecosystems on the mountain that support plant and animal species uncommon in greater Connecticut.

Examples rare plant and animal species (protected by the state of Connecticut) that live on Saltonstall Mountain include the eastern box turtle, red-shouldered hawk, and violet wood sorrel.

The town of East Haven maintains open frontage on the Farm River at the west base of Saltonstall Mountain where fishing is allowed.

The SSCRWA parking lots are located off Hoseley Avenue, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) north of U.S. Route 1 in Branford.

Three parking lots for the Branford Supply Ponds trails are located on Chestnut Street and its extension, Short Rocks Road, 0.3 miles (0.5 km) north of Route 1.