Turtlehead Mountain is composed of limestone which formed about 250 million years ago during the Paleozoic.

[5] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains into Red Rock Wash which is part of the Colorado River watershed.

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 1,500 feet (457 meters) above Brownstone Basin in one mile (1.6 km).

Access to the summit is via the Turtlehead Peak Trail which covers five miles and gains 2,000 feet of elevation.

[3] Turtlehead Mountain is set within the Mojave Desert which has hot summers and cold winters.