It was first explored by Captain James Forsyth of Bengal Lancers in 1862 while he was searching for Indian Freedom Fighter Tantya Tope.

The terrain of the national park is rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests.

[7] Satpura National Park experiences summer season from March to June and during this time temperature reaches 30 °C in morning hours and 40 °C in day-time.

May and June months are of peak summer time with heat waves but in higher regions the temperature remains low.

Winter season can be experienced from November to February during which temperature dips to 4 °C in morning hours around Pachmarhi Plateau and 15 °C in daytime.

Many species like Melastoma malabathricum, Murraya paniculata, Holmskioldia senguinea, Blumea lanceolaria, and Sophora interrupta are found only in Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

Protection and maintenance is done for these grasslands to support a size-able population of herbivores by the Satpura Tiger Reserve administration.

Satpura hosts various species of fauna including Spotted deer, sambhar, gaur, Nilgai, Indian muntjac, four-horned antelope, chinkara, black buck, barasingha, mouse deer, tigers, leopards, wild boar, dholes, sloth bear, Porcupine, Pangolin, Indian Giant squirrel, Flying squirrels, Rhesus monkeys, langurs and Marsh crocodile.

[13] Satpura Tiger Reserve is home to many birds species including Hornbill, peafowl, Pigeon hawks, crested serpent eagle, owls, crow pheasants, Malabar whistling Thrush, Paradise Fly-catcher, Honey Buzzard, Malabar pied Hornbill.