It is located in the Campine in the East of the Province of Limburg, between Genk and the river Meuse (Dutch: Maas) Valley.

It was first established in 1990 within the Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland as part of a progressive policy to advance nature reserves in Flanders.

On 23 March 2012, the nine municipal councils, the Province of Limburg and the Flemish government signed a letter of intent to support the application of the Hoge Kempen National Park for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage.

[6] The park is in the province of Limburg, covering territory in the municipalities of As, Dilsen-Stokkem, Genk, Lanaken, Maasmechelen and Zutendaal.

The slope of the plateau to the west of the Maas valley is steep and rises 45 metres to form a step of sorts.

The Toeristiche Weg built 60 years ago on the Mechelse Heide was closed to road traffic as part of the park planning.

This resulted in the upper course of the brook being redesigned with a controllable flow that helped restore the natural water level in the area.

There are some deciduous trees, dunes, marshes, streams, dry valleys, ponds, gravel pits and former mine spoil heaps.

In addition, within the national park there is a 140 km network of mostly unpaved bridleways and paths that connects the rider and heart of the Limburg Kempen.