The park encompasses an area of 83,384 hectares (206,046 acres; 834 km2; 322 sq mi) on the southeast coast of Russia's Far East in the federal district Primorsky Krai (in English, "Maritime Region").

The terrain in rugged and difficult to access, with heavily forested taiga coexisting with subtropical species of animals and birds.

The southern end of the Primorsky maritime province was not glaciated in the most recent ice age, creating conditions for high levels of biodiversity.

These rivers drop quickly in narrow canyons with rapids known for sudden floods in the Spring rainy season.

The park's website notes that a logging road that appears on maps to the north is in fact often not passable, even with off-road vehicles.

This climate is characterized by large daily and annual swings in temperature, and precipitation spread throughout the year with snow in winter.

It is also a geological contact region between ancient (Achean-Proterozoic) stable base rocks to the west, and more active tectonic formations to the east in the Sea of Japan.

Elevation differentials between mountain peak and valley floor can exceed 1,200 meters, displaying zones of vegetation based altitude.

The lowest zone, below 600 meters in the valleys and lower slopes, is a mixed forest of coniferous and broad-leafed trees.

Zov tigra was established in part to act as a "source habitat" for the recovery of the Amur Tiger and its prey base.

The critically endangered Amur Leopard has not been resident since the 1970s, but there are hopes that the growing protection level of Zov Tigra will support a return.

In 2014, the administration of Zov Tigra National Park was consolidated with the 120,000 hectare Lazovsky Nature Reserve to the south.

The areas open to recreation tend to be narrow corridors to the main attractions, such as waterfalls and mountain peaks, but are still difficult to reach and not well developed with facilities.