The national park is characterized by a high biological diversity, rock outcrops and varied terrain shapes, springs, picturesque landscapes and many historical and cultural monuments from different centuries.

The valley is protected and at the same time it can be used for nature and cultural history tourism, as well as healthy recreation.

The area of the park is 918 square kilometers (354 sq mi) and it is divided into five functional zones.

Nature reserves take up a small part of the park and visits are prohibited to these areas.

Since 2004 Gauja National Park has been part of the Natura 2000 network as a territory designated for conservation of protected species and biotopes.