La Sal National Forest was established as the La Sal Forest Reserve by the U.S. Forest Service in Utah and Colorado on January 25, 1906, with 158,462 acres (641.27 km2), mostly in Utah.

On March 16, 1909, it was changed back to La Sal, by now with 474,130 acres (1,918.7 km2).

On August 28, 1958, the name was changed to Manti-La Sal National Forest.

[1] La Sal's lands lie to the east of the Colorado River in southeastern Utah and western Colorado, and include the La Sal Mountains and Abajo Mountains.

[2] There are local ranger district offices in Moab and Monticello, although the combined Manti-La Sal National Forest's administrative offices are located more distantly in Price.