They are separated from the Pedrogosa Mountains to the southeast, the Chiricahuas to the northeast, and by Leslie Creek, bordering the south and east; the area is now notable for the Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge.

The mountain range is named for John Swisshelm, a miner, a local settler of the late 1800s.

In the north, an unnamed peak is 5225 ft, and is adjacent to Whitewater Draw of the lower stretch of Rucker Creek.

Leslie Creek forms the eastern and southern border of the Swisshelm Mountains.

The communities of Elfrida and McNeal are directly west of the Swisshelms in the Sulphur Springs Valley; Douglas and Agua Prieta, Sonora are due south at about 15 miles (24 km).