[2] The park lies along British Columbia Highway 3, and occupies a large amount of land between Hope and Princeton along the Canada-United States border.

The earliest human use of the land was by the Coastal Native peoples of British Columbia, who, by travelling the route of the present-day Skyline Trail, accessed the Upper Similkameen Valley.

The Parks Branch worked to great lengths to ensure the aesthetic quality of the vistas along the highway were maintained.

During his time as Chief Forester, he was instrumental in developing the idea of setting land aside for future generations to enjoy.

Originally, the park included Similkameen Falls, but mine claims and private land ownership have since caused the boundaries to move more than 4 km (2.5 mi) west.

[4] The terrain in the park, which includes most of the Hozameen Range sub-range of the Canadian Cascades, varies from wet coastal rain forests, to jagged snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, to a chain of small lakes, and broad river beds along the valley floors.

A network of trails crosses the park, some of them following routes used by the fur trade and native hunters and traders.

The resort operator maintains the hotel buildings, restaurants, cabins, chalets, as well as the campgrounds, on contract from the British Columbia Government.

Initially, the motorist's area was intended only for day use, including a restaurant and gas station, but quickly expanded.

In the 1960s, the province began ski operations in Manning Park, attempting multiple rope-tow setups.

[7]In 2009, the resort and ski hill entered receivership and, after $4.2 million of debt, announced indefinite closure on April 1, 2013.

Manning Park is home to a vast diversity of wildlife species, with over 200 bird species recorded during the Manning Park Bird Blitzes that have taken place since 1983,[12] and a large variety of mammals, including black bears, Mule Deer, Hoary Marmot, Yellow-bellied Marmot, and Columbian ground squirrels.

The Skagit River, a major stream that runs into Puget Sound in the state of Washington, originates at the west side of Allison Pass and flows northwest alongside Highway 3 until it reaches its confluence with the Sumallo River at Sumallo Grove, where it turns southwest and exits the park into Skagit Valley Provincial Park.