It is situated on the Manitou River and was intentionally left largely undeveloped.

The original 3,320 acres (13 km2) of land on which this park sits were donated by George H. Crosby in 1955.

A decision was made to keep the park largely undeveloped, and thus it contains only backpacking campsites and not a traditional campground.

The park contains numerous wildlife species such as timber wolf, black bear, moose, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, raccoon, Canadian lynx, kestrel, snowshoe hare, beaver, bald eagle, white-tailed deer, hawk, fisher, marten, grouse, red squirrel, Canada jay, and species of bats.

Because it is undeveloped, Crosby Manitou State Park contains many undisturbed miles of fir, cedar, spruce, and northern hardwoods.