[4][5] It is located in barrio Maragüez, in the municipality of Ponce, and covers 200 cuerdas (190 acres; 0.79 km2)[6] of valleys and mountains in the foothills of the Cordillera Central mountain range.

[7] The forest has several trails, observation areas, several picnic areas, complete with gazeebos and a man-made reservoir, Lake Cerrillos and the Lake Cerrillos dam.

The forest is located at 18.08842 N, 66.58058 W (18°5′18.31″N 66°24′50.08″W / 18.0884194°N 66.4139111°W / 18.0884194; -66.4139111), in barrio Maragüez, which is located northeast of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Its elevation varies from 400 to 1,000 feet above sea level.

[8] Recreational activities permitted in this forest include fishing, hiking, kayaking, photography, picnicking, scientific research, and bird watching.