Manti La Sal National Forest
1.2 million acres of land and stretches across three counties
Elevation:
5,000 to 10,000 Feet
Manti-La Sal National Forest is a national forest in Utah and is managed by the United States Forest Service. It covers 1.2 million acres of land and stretches across three counties: Sanpete, Grand, and Emery. The forest was first established as Manti National Forest in 1903 and then given its current name in 1908. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants, unique geologic features, and recreational opportunities like camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Manti-La Sal National Forest in Ephraim, Utah is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest system which includes eleven other national forests as well. The forest’s elevations range from roughly 4,500 feet to 11,000 feet and it is home to five of Utah’s highest peaks: Mount Peale (12,721 feet), La Sal Mountain (11,222 feet), King Peak (10,819 feet), Flat Top Mountain (10,641 feet), and Mount Mellenthin (10,495 feet).
The Manti-La Sal National Forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors. There are over 200 miles of trails that provide access to backcountry camping, fishing, and hunting areas as well as popular destinations like LaSal Mountain Loop Road and the Orange Cliffs area. The forest is also home to several reservoirs, lakes and rivers which offer great opportunities for swimming and boating.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest is home to a wide variety of vegetation, including coniferous forests consisting of pines, firs and junipers. There are also aspen groves, meadows filled with wildflowers, riparian zones near rivers and streams that support a variety of wildlife, and areas of desert shrubs.