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Stay tuned as we continue improving our Forest Service webpages.

Recreation

Trails webpages and information will not be available until May 2025. Thank you for your patience while we work through getting the most updated, accurate information for you during this time.

Do you love the outdoors?  You can always find something fun to do on the Manti-La Sal National Forest! Search by regions of our forest, or recreation opportunities of interest!

Know before you go by reading some of the Rules for Camping and Traveling on the Manti-La Sal National Forest. 

Dispersed Camping

For many people dispersed camping is a way to enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest away from a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided.

Showing: 1 - 10 of 186 results

Abajo - Harts Draw Recreation Area
Site Open
Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Biking Hiking Winter Sports Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking
The Abajo - Harts Draw Recreation Area is located in southeastern Utah west of Monticello, south of Canyonlands National Park and north of Blanding, Utah. The area extends from the east Forest…

Abajo Loop State Scenic Backway
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Scenic Drives
 The Abajo Loop leads from the desert floor and red rock canyons to steep mountains over 11,000 feet high, with overlooks and panoramic views. The backway travels Forest Road 105 west from…

Academy Mill Reservoir
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Is a small 4.9 acre reservoir located 1.0 miles up Josephite Point Trail (non-motorized).  The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) stocks this reservoir with Tiger Trout.

Arch Canyon Overlook
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning
Arch Canyon Overlook is an observation site for viewing the redrock walls and several arches within Arch Canyon, a 12-mile long box canyon to the southeast.

Aspen Flat/Shay Ridge Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Biking Winter Sports Horse Riding and Camping
This trailhead (TH) marks the beginning of the northern end of both the Aspen Flat and Shay Ridge Trails.  There is a dirt parking area here that is used for both trails.  The Shay Ridge…

Beaver Dam Reservoir Fishing Site
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Beaver Dam Reservoir is a small 4.2 acre reservoir, also known as Benchs Pond.  It is right off of State Route (SR) 264.  The Department of Wildlife Resources of Utah (DWR) stocks this reservoir…

Big Drift Staging Area
Site Open
Winter Sports
This is a parking/staging area for both snow machines and ATVs that use the nearby trails.

Big Notch Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking
The Big Notch Trailhead marks the starting point for the Dark Canyon East Trail, a 4.8 mile trail that takes you through a rugged canyon on the east side of the Dark Canyon Wilderness and connects to…

Big Rock Group Campground
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Big Rock Group Campground is located in beautiful Huntington Canyon, along the Huntington Canyon National Scenic Byway on Utah Highway 31. It is situated at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Many…

Birch Creek Trailhead
Site Open
The Birch Creek Trailhead marks the starting point of the Birch Creek Trail, which is 3.0 miles long and travels through pinyon/juniper and oak brush.
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