The Alde Feanen is part of the municipalities Leeuwarden, Smallingerland and Tytsjerksteradiel.

The Alde Feanen contains morasses, lakes, forests, peat and meadows.

In the village of Earnewâld there is a visitors centre, De Reidplûm, close to the stork breeding station It Eibertshiem.

After a preparation period of 4 years, the Minister of Nature designed it as the 20th (As of 2012[update], the last) national park in the Netherlands in 2006.

In the Alde Feanen are several monumental wind mills, such as 'De Ikkers', a so-called 'spinnenkopmolen' from the 18th century.