The park is important for protecting a diverse variety of flora and fauna, with many endemic species, including the Tatra chamois.

The Tatra Mountains form a natural border between Slovakia to the north and Poland to the south, and the two countries have cooperated since the early 20th century on efforts to protect the area.

Poland created an adjoining national park, and UNESCO later designated the combined effort a transboundary biosphere reserve.

The highest peak in Slovakia at 2,655 metres (8,711 ft) in elevation, Gerlachovský štít, is located within the park.

To the east of this divide, streams are the headwaters of the Poprad River, of the Baltic Sea drainage basin.

To the west of the divide streams are tributaries of the Váh, of the Black Sea drainage basin.

The geological composition, soil properties and climate conditions all contribute to the original flora and fauna in the park.

Notable ice age relicts are Branchinecta paludosa fairy shrimp,[6] the three-toed woodpecker, ring ouzel, spotted nutcracker, and others.