The Salem Nuclear Generating Station is comprised of two pressurized water reactors, Salem 1 and Salem 2. The station is located on the southern half of Artificial Island, in Lower Alloways Creek Township in Salem County. The third nuclear power generating station on Artificial Island is the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station which utilizes a boiling water reactor. It is located a quarter of a mile north of Salem 1 and 2.

Artificial Island is a 700 acre man-made site created by the deposition of fill from dredging operations. Land use in the areas adjacent to the exclusion zone (as defined by 10 CFR 100) consists of commercial, government, agricultural, and residential properties.

To the north and east are extensive tidal marshlands and low-lying areas. Mad Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area, located to the north and east of the site, is a State government facility which supports trapping and fishing. The wildlife area is also important for migratory birds. Within 10 miles of the site is some of South Jersey's prime agricultural land. The nearest New Jersey resident to the site is 3.9 miles away.