The national park was created to protect the landscapes of the lake district in the southwest of Pskov Oblast.

The southwestern part of Sebezhsky District, where the national park is located, is essentially hilly landscape of glacial origin with many lakes.

In the beginning of the 1990s, the agriculture was again in deep crisis, and it was decided to convert the area in the national park, protecting cultural and natural landscapes.

Big mammals include brown bear, lynx, gray wolf, wild boar, moose, and roe deer.

In order to visit the zone, a permit issued by the local Federal Security Service department is required.