The park was started by local grassroots efforts in 2002, it became a state recreation area and officially opened in June 2006.

Numerous signs identify aspects of the bog, including pitcher plants and an early failed attempt at draining the swamp lands.

The greater Big Bog area includes the Upper Red Lake Peatland, a National Natural Landmark under the Historic Sites Act.

[3] It received this designation in May 1975 from the United States Secretary of the Interior, giving it recognition as an outstanding example of the nation's natural history.

[4] The designation describes it as One of the largest peatlands remaining in the conterminous United States, illustrating a variety of geological features and plant associations, especially the dominant and rare string bog.

It is also an Audubon Important Bird Area, and contains the largest number of rare plant species of any peatland in Minnesota.