[1] Originally called Clipstone Heath, it was acquired by Forestry England in 1925 and planted with trees in response to a wood shortage after World War I.

The park offers activities such as walking, bushcraft, mountain biking and there is a visitor centre.

[2] There are the remains of Mansfield's 18th century main coach road leading to the Great North Road, and a medieval route from Kings Clipstone to Bilsthorpe, some of the medieval heath land and shroggs survive.

[2] Forestry England was set up by the government in 1919 in response to a shortage of wood and in 1925 they obtained a 999-year lease at the park to plant and harvest trees.

[2] The forest offers a visitor centre, walking, cycling, mountain biking,[3] jogging, a parkrun,[4] orienteering, bushcraft, a cafe, a children's adventure trail, tree climbing, ranger activities, segway, a Robin Hood hideout and a raised walkway.