Sierra Buttes are set on land managed by Tahoe National Forest and are within the North Yuba River watershed.

The prominent fortress-like landform is visible from as far as the Sacramento Valley,[6] and inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest.

In 1964, employees of the National Forest Service erected metal stairs with railings for the public to safely access the views from the lookout.

As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

[11] The rock is part of the Northern Sierra Terrane and was formed in an undersea volcanic process along an island arc during the late Devonian period.