The Manti-La Sal National Forest, located in southeastern Utah and parts of Colorado, spans over 1.2 million acres featuring diverse landscapes from lush forests to red rock canyons. Established on November 5th, 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt's proclamation, the forest is one of the first national forests in the United States.

Its main features include three mountain blocks: The La Sal Range near Moab (which includes Mount Peale at over 12,000 feet), Abajo Mountains or "Blue Mountains" west of Monticello; and Elk Ridge northward towards Blanding. These areas offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking trails through dense alpine woods and high peaks with stunning vistas that attract adventurers year-round.

Manti-La Sal provides critical habitat for wildlife including elk, mule deer,and black bear while supporting local economies through timber resources, recreation opportunities like camping, fishing, hunting & snowmobiling. The forest also plays an important role in watershed protection ensuring clean water supply for surrounding communities.

The Manti-La Sal National Forest, located in southeastern Utah and extending into Colorado, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both alpine terrain and desert ecosystems.

The forest covers the southern portion of the Wasatch Plateau and parts of the La Sal Mountains-the second highest mountain range in Utah-where peaks rise above 12,000 feet offering stunning vistas.

This area features rugged canyons cutting through plateaus along with coniferous forests at higher elevations transitioning to pinyon-juniper woodlands as it descends towards red rock deserts typical of this region's iconic geography.

Numerous streams originating from snowmelt create lush riparian zones contrasting sharply against an otherwise arid environment.

Its varied topography supports a rich biodiversity while providing recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, fishing, skiing (in winter), and off-road vehicle use on designated trails within its boundaries.

The area now known as Manti-La Sal National Forest has a rich history of indigenous use, primarily by the Ute Tribe who utilized its resources for hunting and gathering. European-American settlement in the region began to expand significantly with Mormon pioneers arriving in the mid-19th century.

Prior to federal protection, much of this land was used for grazing cattle and sheep. The timber industry also played a significant role; logging operations were common before conservation efforts took precedence.

Ownership transitioned from local hands when President Theodore Roosevelt established it as part of the national forest system under "La Sal Forest Reserve" designation on September 27, 1906. It later expanded through additional proclamations and consolidations with other nearby forests until reaching its current boundaries.

Historical features within these lands include ancient Puebloan ruins that date back over thousands of years-evidence of early Native American inhabitants' presence is still visible today at various archaeological sites throughout the landscape. Additionally, remnants from pioneer settlements can be found scattered across several areas reflecting past human habitation patterns prior to becoming federally managed lands.

In recent times before gaining park status (which implies different management than national forests), activities such as recreation-including hiking, camping-and responsible resource extraction continued but under regulated measures ensuring environmental sustainability aligned with United States Forest Service policies aimed at preserving natural habitats while allowing public enjoyment and usage.