It is a merger of two former parks, the Kalmthoutse Heide (Kalmthout Heath) in Belgium and De Zoom in the Netherlands, together extending over 37.50 square kilometres (14.48 sq mi).

The park is owned by the state of Flanders, the municipality Kalmthout, Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and several private owners.

The Dutch part lies in the municipality Woensdrecht (province North Brabant) and stretches from the border to the villages Huijbergen and Putte.

However, centuries of using the area as grazing land for cattle and sheep led to a significant decline in vegetation and the emergence of extensive heathland.

In 2001, these led to the establishment of the border park De Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide with a total area of around 4,000 hectares.