The hill has a flat plateau at the top, but steep slopes on its northern, western, and southern sides.

The western and southern parts of the hill have some residential development, while the northern side is mostly forested.

[6] There are areas with slopes of 25 percent or higher in the vicinity of the Turkey Hill Oxbow.

It also dates to the Middle Silurian and contains gray-red-purple to dusky red hematitic sandstone that is interbedded with silty clay shale.

The hill probably received its current name in the late 19th century from a large turkey farm nearby.

[4] In addition to this, several farms, including a flower plantation, were in business on the hill as late as the 1970s.

[7] Turkey Hill has been said to provide a "striking view" of part of the Susquehanna River valley.

However, a 1974 report noted that the poor layout of streets in the area leads to accessibility and safety problems.