The forest is nestled in an area roughly bounded by US 9W to the east and Angola Road (which it does not reach) on the north.
To the southwest, a small portion, the former Mineral Springs Nature Preserve, protrudes to a public access point on Old Mineral Springs Road.
A large tract along the western boundary, and a smaller one to the east, are designated as ecological reserves within the forest.

Most public access comes from Route 9W, near the lowest portions of the land, and many of the research and educational facilities are located in that north central area.
To the south, in the Highlands portion of the forest, the land rises over a thousand feet (300 m) to several peaks, including the eponymous 1,402-foot (427 m) Black Rock with its observation tower and Spy Rock, at 1,463 feet (446 m) the highest point in the Town of Highlands and the highest peak in the Highlands west of the Hudson River.
There are seven ponds in the forest, all of which form part of the village of Cornwall on Hudson's water supply system save Sutherland Pond, the only one in which visitors are allowed to swim.
The ponds drain into an unnamed stream that crosses the village and empties into Moodna Creek near where it joins the Hudson; Sutherland gives rise to Mineral Springs Brook, which flows out to the scenic Mineral Springs Falls near the western end of the forest and then to Moodna Creek's main tributary, Woodbury Creek.

The forest is buffered by other, nearby protected areas in two directions, with Storm King State Park on the east across Route 9W and the large United States Military Academy reservation directly to the south.
In other directions the large, minimally developed tracts of private landowners serve as a buffer.
The forest is nestled in an area roughly bounded by US 9W to the east and Angola Road (which it does not reach) on the north. To the southwest, a small portion, the former Mineral Springs Nature Preserve, protrudes to a public access point on Old Mineral Springs Road. A large tract along the western boundary, and a smaller one to the east, are designated as ecological reserves within the forest.
Most public access comes from Route 9W, near the lowest portions of the land, and many of the research and educational facilities are located in that north central area. To the south, in the Highlands portion of the forest, the land rises over a thousand feet (300 m) to several peaks, including the eponymous 1,402-foot (427 m) Black Rock with its observation tower and Spy Rock, at 1,463 feet (446 m) the highest point in the Town of Highlands and the highest peak in the Highlands west of the Hudson River. There are seven ponds in the forest, all of which form part of the village of Cornwall on Hudson's water supply system save Sutherland Pond, the only one in which visitors are allowed to swim. The ponds drain into an unnamed stream that crosses the village and empties into Moodna Creek near where it joins the Hudson; Sutherland gives rise to Mineral Springs Brook, which flows out to the scenic Mineral Springs Falls near the western end of the forest and then to Moodna Creek's main tributary, Woodbury Creek.
The forest is buffered by other, nearby protected areas in two directions, with Storm King State Park on the east across Route 9W and the large United States Military Academy reservation directly to the south. In other directions the large, minimally developed tracts of private landowners serve as a buffer.
Black Rock Forest