The park was established on 15 December 2000 and has an area of 6,948 hectares (17,168.88 acres; 26.83 sq mi).

[6] The park protects an example of the Central Mixedwood subregion of the Boreal Forest natural region of Alberta.

[4] In the National Ecological Framework for Canada used by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the park is in the Cross Lake Upland ecodistrict of the Mid-Boreal Uplands ecoregion in the Central Boreal Plains ecoprovince of the Boreal Plains Ecozone.

[10] The Köppen climate classification of the park is Continental, Subarctic (Dfc) characterized by long, cold winters, and short, warm to cool summers.

[11] Using the data from nearby weather stations (Rock Island Lake Auto), average daily temperatures for the period 1991-2020 exceed 10 °C (50 °F) only for June, July, and August while average daily temperatures are less than 0 °C (32 °F) for November through April.

[12] Old grow forests in the park are dominated by white spruce and balsam fir.