[5] The maximum elevation is Mount Peale in the La Sal Mountains, reaching 12,721 feet (3,877 m) above sea level.

The La Sal Mountain loop road leads from Castle Valley to Geyser Pass and back down to Moab.

In descending order of land area, the forest is located in parts of San Juan, Sanpete, Emery, Utah, Grand, Carbon, and Sevier counties in Utah, as well as Montrose, and Mesa counties in Colorado (Only about 2.1% of the forest lies in Colorado).

[7] On December 28, 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed the 1.35 million acre Bears Ears National Monument, which includes most of the Monticello Ranger District on the forest and the Dark Canyon Wilderness.

The La Sal Mountains are lush with lakes, pine, aspen and evergreen trees, wildlife, and recreation.