The park was established by order-in-council on July 13, 1995, to protect the ecological integrity of a relatively narrow stretch of the Rocky Mountains in the southeastern corner of the province.

The trails and passes of the Akamina-Kishinena were used for many years by the early peoples and wildlife travelling between the Flathead Basin and the abundant Great Plains.

For instance, the Kootenai aboriginal people travelled through South Kootenay Pass to reach the plains for trading and buffalo hunting.

[2] Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park encompasses 10,921.5 hectares (26,988 acres) of high peaks and broad forested valleys in the watershed of the Flathead River.

The park preserves part of the habitat of the last self-sustaining grizzly bear population in the United States, as well as a winter range for goats and big horn sheep.