Later the area was used as a transport route from Germany to the Netherlands, some of the old trails can still be found in the National Park.

In the 1930s, there were reclamation plans, but nature conservation organisations purchased a part of the area to save it.

The structure of the terrain is quite varied with relatively high[vague] sandy hills and wet lower parts, including many fens.

Sheep are still in use - there is a sheepfold in the park, but also cows are used to graze, and special machines are developed to manage the heath.

In the park four 'heath species' are rather common: Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix Empetrum nigrum and Andromeda polifolia.