Things to do nearLa Sal Mountains

The La Sal Mountains are a laccolith range, formed when magma pushed upward through sandstone layers millions of years ago. Their dramatic elevation, topping out near Mount Peale at over 12,700 feet, makes them visible from great distances across the Colorado Plateau.

Hikers and mountain bikers find well-worn trails through spruce and fir forest, opening onto ridgelines with unobstructed views of Arches National Park and the canyon maze of Canyonlands. In winter, backcountry skiers seek out the range's reliable snowpack.

The surrounding area carries a long human history, with Ancestral Puebloan and Ute peoples having used these mountains for hunting and seasonal shelter for centuries. Spanish explorers gave the range its name, meaning "the salt" in reference to nearby salt deposits.

Whether you arrive in the bloom of summer or the gold of autumn, the La Sal Mountains offer a rare combination of alpine solitude and desert panorama that makes them one of the most rewarding natural destinations in Utah.