The protected area of Parke Nacional Arikok was officially established in 1997. In 2003 the foundation Parke Nacional Arikok was instated which includes approximately 18% of the total land area. It has been assigned a national park, to protect and preserve the flora, fauna, geology and historical remains present at the site.

The park is a 32 square kilometers (7907 acres) of natural area located at the north-eastern part of Aruba which contains examples of most of the islands flora and fauna against a backdrop of great geological complexity.

There is a great geological variety within the park. The main aspects are the rough hills of the volcanic Aruba lava formation, the mysterious rocks of the batholithic quartz-diorite/tonalite, and the limestone rocks from fossilized coral. The two tallest hills on the island are situated in the park.

Jamanota hill 188 meters (617 ft) and Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft), from which the name of the park is derived.

The eastern side of the park is marked by grottos and caves, such as Fontein and Quadirikiri. The line of the permanently wind-and-wave beaten North Coast is broken by several bays (bocas). Most of them are small yet impressive inlets at the mouth of dry river beds. Some of these bays (bocas) are spectacular sights, adorned with white, sandy beaches and sand dunes, as is the case at Boca Prins and Dos Playa.

Most of the flora and fauna present on the island is found in the park boundaries. Generally these are plants and animals that are adapted to the harsh and extreme conditions caused by the drought and the strong Eastern trade wind laden with salt spray. The natural landscape in Aruba is not one of a lush tropical forest. However, there are areas in the park, well hidden that allowed for some large tree species to survive. Moreover, the park is home to a large variety of cacti.

Animals in the park entail mostly birds and reptiles. The birds are most active during the early morning hours and at sunsets. The birds are concentrated in wind-shielded, vegetated areas, for instance at Cunucu Arikok, located on the west side of Arikok Hill.

Arikok National Park is the habitat for several animal species only found in Aruba.
There are two bird species: the Aruban burrowing owl "Shoco" (Athene cunicularia arubensis), and the Aruban parakeet "Prikichi"(Aratinga pertinax arubensis). The Aruban rattlesnake "Cascabel" (Crotalus unicolor) is one of the rarest rattlesnake in the world. The Aruba leaf-toed gecko "Pega Pega" (Phyllodacttylus julieni). There is also the Aruban whiptail lizard "Kododo"(Cnemidophorus arubensis).

There are a number of sites within the park that attest to the history of Aruba. The Caquetio Indians left rock paintings in Cunucu Arikok and Fontein Cave. The bird drawing in the park logo is a copy of one of these historical artistic expressions.

Former sorghum and bean fields tell the story of an active yet challenging
agricultural past. These so-called cunucus were also residential areas for the few families that worked the land. These families found ways to survive in the difficult conditions, and were able to erect their homes with materials found in the area. Two of these adobe houses have been restored and park rangers are learning many of the building techniques in order to preserve this unique Aruban mud-house.

At Cunucu Arikok and near Rooi Dwars you can find these adobe houses.
Gold was found in Aruba in the early 1800's and traces of gold-mining are spread throughout the park region. The shafts and ruins of the largest gold mines at Miralamar are accessible and open for visits.