Proclaimed an A Class Reserve on 13 April 1977, it is the largest national park in Western Australia.

[2] The park was initially listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1978 as Rudall River National Park, and was noted as "significant for maintaining ongoing geomorphic and ecological processes within a tropical desert environment.

He named the river after another explorer and surveyor, William Frederick Rudall.

[6] There are two Aboriginal communities within the park: Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) and Punmu (Lake Dora).

Fuel, groceries, emergency medical facilities, camping gear, caravan parking and laundry are available at Parnngurr.