The park has numerous bicycle and walking paths, dedicated nature reserves, and over 250 archaeological sites of prehistoric human habitations.

It is a typical example of a Mediterranean ecosystem and includes a rich inventory of geological phenomena, prehistoric artifacts, biodiversity and landscapes.

[1] Mount Carmel has been home to human habitation since the prehistoric era, and the remains of ancient settlement have been uncovered in caves in the hillsides.

In 1927, Arthur Ruppin turned to Colonel E. R. Sawer, director of the Department of Agriculture, Forests, and Fisheries, and suggested that he declare the entire area protected natural park.

Another initiative was an effort of the ILDC in the late 1930s to establish a residential neighborhood called "Summit of Mount Carmel" south of what is today the University of Haifa.

In 1950, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion appointed a commission to consolidate the various suggestions to protect Israel's open spaces.

In 1962, Agriculture Minister Moshe Dayan instructed the Israel Land Administration to set up a committee to recommend areas for nature reserves.

[2] The committee, headed by Nachman Alexandron of the Jewish National Fund, recommended the establishment of 93 nature reserves, including the Carmel area.

At the time the committee was created, the Haifa District Regional Outline Plan had set aside an area of 10,000 hectares in the Carmel to be used for nature preserves.

One such example is the battle waged during the fifties and sixties by the "Union of Settlers" to keep their hold on the areas of the "Carmel Forest" development.

The committee recommended the removal of the quarries and the University of Haifa outside the park, the transfer of the Damon prison, a prohibition on paving highways, working the land and more.

In May 1967, the committee decided to postpone the building of cities for the most part, determined the scope of compensation and approved the plan with minor modifications.

They attempt to encourage reproduction in captivity, and habituate the animals to life in the wild by raising them in large enclosures until they are able to be released.

Although some elements, like old trees, might disappear without returning, a developed grove of typical Carmel vegetation will restore itself entirely a few decades after the last fire.

Ecologists, nature reservists and farmers continue to disagree over the amount of damage and benefits that occurs in area like Carmel Park.

In December 2010, the park suffered its largest fire which destroyed close to 35 square kilometers (3,500 hectares), an area containing millions of trees.

[4] Recently real estate developers have been trying to revive the plan to establish a residential tower (about 1,000 units) and highway.