[3][1][2] As well as being a nature reserve, the park is an inhabited area with dozens of little villages and small towns, many of which trace their origins to medieval times.

[1][2][4] One of the park's most notable natural features is the extensive forest of beech trees found only at 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) and above.

[2] Within the park area there are outcrops of rocks which have been dated at over a 200-million-year period and represent all aspects of the geology of Sicily apart from the current volcanic activity.

[2] The collaboration of the Madonie Park authorities and the European Geoparks Network has allowed the research of students and lecturers of the University of Palermo's Department of Geology and Geodesy.

The park comprises fifteen municipalities of the province of Palermo: (Caltavuturo, Castelbuono, Castellana Sicula, Cefalù, Collesano, Geraci Siculo, Gratteri, Isnello, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Polizzi Generosa, Pollina, San Mauro Castelverde, Scillato and Sclafani Bagni).