It was established in order to protect species and ecosystems of exceptional scientific value.

[2] Palmgrove lies in moderately dry, dissected sandstone country.

The vegetation includes a variety of eucalypt woodland and forest communities as well as vine and Acacia thickets.

The area is rugged and isolated; access is difficult and the park is not open to the general public.

[1] The park has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports an isolated, and the westernmost, population (over 10 pairs) of black-breasted buttonquails, listed as vulnerable.