The park was established in 1916, making it, along with Freycinet National Park, Tasmania's oldest national park. However, even before that, the area around Russell Falls was protected for its natural beauty since 1885, and making that Tasmania's first nature reserve with the last known wild thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) captured in the region in 1933. The reserve was called "National Park" before 1946, but was officially renamed to its present name in 1947, but the town next to the park is still called "National Park".

During the Pleistocene period, snowfield covered the top of the Mount Field plateau and fed glaciers in the surrounding valleys. A large, 12 km long glacier formed the broad river valley and the cirque walls above Lake Seal. Twisted Tarn, Twilight Tarn, and the tarns on the tarn shelf were formed by glacial scouring and a glacier flowed south from the Rodway Range, forming Lakes Belcher and Nelton, and north to form the Hayes Valley and Lake Hayes.

The park has fair representation of much of native Tasmanian fauna including wombats, platypuses, eastern barred bandicoots, echidnas, and icon of Tasmania, the Tasmanian devil, although it is not easy to spot. The park also has a large diversity of fauna, with numerous types of plants and fungi.

The climate of Mount Field National Park is generally cold in the winter and regularly drops to the negatives while it rarely goes above the twenties during summer. Being in the west of the state, it rains quite regularly in the park.

• Park website
• -42.681771146.7165861 Mount Field Visitor Centre, 66 Lake Dobson Rd, Mount Field, ☏ +61 3 6288 1149, MtField@parks.tas.gov.au. 9AM–4PM. General information about the park, and into hiking in desolate isolated areas. Also where you'll need to check in for accommodation, and remember to check in this visitor centre if you are going out into an isolated area, and check back out once you've come back. (updated Nov 2021)

Main article: Three Falls Circuit

There are three waterfalls in the park within a short distance, with Russell Falls by far being the most visited one, and the most iconic waterfall too. All are easily accessible, and generally do not require too much effort to do, with Russell Falls also being the easiest to access.

And while Russell Falls may be the most visited waterfall, that does not mean that the other two are not as exceptional, because, while Russell Falls may be the most busiest one, for those looking for a quieter area, a space for themselves, or anything without large crowds, the other two waterfalls; Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls might just be the right ones.

It's possible to visit all three waterfalls on one walk, also passing Tall Trees Walk along the way – starting at the visitor centre, you'll walk anticlockwise passing Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, the Tall Trees and then Lady Barron Falls. It's a grade 3, 7.5-kilometre walk but a word of warning that you'll have to climb up at least 439 stairs and the tracks can be slippery after rain.

• -42.676994146.7124441 Russell Falls, Russel Falls Nature Walk, Russel Falls. A three tier waterfall, one of the few waterfalls anywhere in Tasmania that have that sort of effect, with an easily accessible lookout where eventually the waterfall will flow underneath that lookout. (updated Nov 2021)
• -42.6758146.7112 Horseshoe Falls. A waterfall that descends over horizontal marine Permian siltstone benches, while the vertical faces of the falls are composed of resistant sandstone layers. (updated Nov 2021)
• -42.691039146.6952783 Lady Barron Falls, Lady Barron Falls Cct. Short distance from Russell Falls, this waterfall also descends over horizontal marine Permian siltstone benches, while the vertical faces of the falls are composed of resistant sandstone layers. The waterfall was named in honour of Lady Clara Barron, the wife of Sir Harry Barron, a former Governor of Tasmania. (updated Nov 2021)

• -42.683986146.591744 Lake Dobson. Follow Lake Dobson Rd as it climbs 800 metres up, and walk the Lake Dobson circuit. A short walk by a charming lake, with some magnificent views of Mt Field, and, perhaps, some snow. (updated Nov 2021)
• -42.671798146.6176685 Lake Fenton. One of the easiest lakes to get to, and one of the larger ones too, the views of Lake Fenton are unique in all sorts of ways. Has carpark nearby, and is a minute or two away from the road via foot. (updated Nov 2021)
  • -42.674068146.63466 Seagers Lookout, Seagers Lookout Rte, Mount Field. The main lookout overlooking Lake Fenton with numerous mountains surrounded, and a gateway to numerous walking trails beginning from there. (updated Nov 2021)
• -42.661488146.5610337 Lake Newdgate, Lake Newdgate Track. Another small little glacial lake, this one a little more preserved. Particularly a nice spot for photography, but takes a little more walk to get to compared to other lakes in the park. (updated Nov 2021)
  • -42.6597146.56128 Lake Newdgate Hut, Lake Newdgate Track. For some, this small little hut might just be any old hut by a glacial lake in Tasmania. For others, it's a hut by some of the most awe-inspiring views one could ever get. It's also quite a nice little spot to go photography, whether you're a professional or just a beginner photographer. (updated Nov 2021)
• -42.6738146.585999 Platypus Tarn Lake, Platypus Tarn Track, Mount Field. Another glacial lake in the Tasmanian Wilderness and easily accessible via the Platypus Tarn Track surrounded by mountains on all sides. (updated Nov 2021)

• The Tall Trees Walk is a 1-kilometre walk and is just a short drive from the Park Entrance, enjoy a short walk past the Eucalyptus Regnans, the swamp gum - and one of the tallest trees in Australia. Enjoy some incredible views of these tall trees. It forms part of the Three Falls Circuit.
• The trail/track to Lakes Belton and Belcher is a 13 km (8.1 mi) trail that takes 5-6 hours, this one for the very very experienced only. You'll need to sign off at the visitor centre before doing this trail, and sign back out. The trail passes through a range of surfaces, which can include a boardwalk, or just rocky surfaces. However, end up doing this trail, the views are more than rewarding.
• Pandani Grove is an easy 1.5-km trail and takes about 30-40 minutes to do, circling around Lake Dobson, passing through some of the tallest heath in the world. Unlike the mainland, the sizable amount of platypus is quite visible

• -42.682863146.5855151 Mount Mawson Skifield, Urquhart Track, Mount Field. Mount Mawson is one of two major locations in Tasmania (with the other being Ben Lomond National Park) known for its snowsports, more particularly skiing and snowboarding. The slope drops seventy metres from 1300 m to 1230 m, suitable for both beginners or intermediate skiers. The same applies to snowboarders. For those wanting practice cross country skiing, but not comparable to Perisher or Thredbo. (updated Nov 2021)

With the numerous lakes, tarns and streams in the park, it's one of the aspects that make the trout in Tasmania world famous. Make sure you check for the allowed angling methods before going fishing, otherwise you could end up with hefty fines, not to forget the damage done.

The Anglers Access Program by the Tasmanian Government has up-to-date information on most lakes, stream and rivers. Check which lake you want to go fishing at.

There is only one place to lodge inside the park.

• -42.687712146.5999131 Mount Field Government Huts, Lake Dobson Rd, Mount Field, ☏ +61 3 6491 1179. Check-in: 2PM (keys may be collected at 1:30PM), check-out: 10AM. These government huts provide an alternative to camping, especially given that this is right next to the snowy alpine regions of the park. Keys need to be picked up at the visitor centre. Unfortunately, with these huts, there's little to offer, with only bunks with mattresses, a sink with only cold water, a wood heater and firewood, and a table and benches on the outside, and there is no electricity nor gas. $45 per hut, flat rate. (updated Nov 2021)

These ones are all outside in the neighbouring town of "National Park".

• -42.685781146.7187632 National Park Hotel, 2366 Gordon River Rd, National Park, ☏ +61 3 6288 1320. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. An old traditional style hotel that's been since there since the 1920s. (updated Feb 2022)
• -42.682546146.7197393 Russell Falls Holiday Cottages, 40 Lake Dobson Rd, National Park, ☏ +61 3 6288 1198, +61 466 407 311 (mobile). A set of holiday cottages named after the main waterfalls in the park, Russell Falls. (updated Feb 2022)
• -42.687695146.7183164 Scout Hall, 2391 Gordon River Rd, National Park, ☏ +61 411 548 803. The name may be a bit misleading, but it's just a small cozy accommodation mostly designed for small groups. (updated Feb 2022)

• -42.684472146.7161545 Mount Field Campground, Lake Dobson Rd, Mount Field. Check-in: anytime, check-out: 10AM. Close to the visitor centre alongside the Tyenna River and includes both powered and unpowered sites. It also comes on a "first in best dress" sort of service, and no bookings required. (updated Nov 2021)

Camping can only be done in designated sites in order to protect the environment.