The park is settled within the hills of Verdigris River valley in southeast Kansas.

This region was a favored hunting and camping ground of Native Americans of the Osage Nation.

The forested flood plains are surrounded by terraces of prairie and hills of oak savanna.

Fishing in the river offers anglers an excellent chance at white crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish, black bass, bluegill, and sunfish.

Species common to the area included white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrel, rabbit, dove, and raccoon.