The park encompasses 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) of canyon and riparian zone habitat, and includes campgrounds and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

[2] The park was first established in 1948 when the owners of the O'Neill Ranch donated 278 acres (113 ha) of land for recreation purposes.

The park also includes the western half of Live Oak Canyon, which is drained by Hickey Creek.

The hillsides are covered in cactus, wild buckwheat, sagebrush, chaparral, scrub oak, buckthorn and mountain mahogany.

[1] The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.