The Pădurea Craiului Mountains are in the northwestern part of the Apuseni Mountains of the Carpathian Mountain range, located between the Vad-Borod Depression and the Beiuș Depression. The Dealurile Vestice (Western Hills) are located to the west of these mountains, the Vlădeasa Mountains are to their south-east, and the Plopiș Mountains are to their north. The highest peak in Pădurea Craiului is the Hodrâncușa Peak at . The name "Pădurea Craiului" literally means "The Forest of the King".
The mountains cover an area of and are located in the central-eastern part of Bihor County, covering 15.2% of its surface area. They are also the mountainous area nearest to Oradea, which is about away from Vârciorog, and away of Șuncuiuș, two communes nestled in the Pădurea Craiului.