Located in Douglas County 20 miles (32 km) south of Denver, Colorado, the 3,339-acre (13.51 km2) park was established in 1975.

In 1980 it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark because of the number of ecological systems and geological formations.

The park includes great examples of exposed Precambrian to Late Mesozoic hogback, monolithic and spire formations from the Permian, Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous age.

[6] The park consists of forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, prairie land, and woodlands that support many forms of wildlife.

Mammals commonly found in the park include black bear, coyote, deer, elk, fox, mountain lion, prairie dog, and rabbit.