Mainti Face State Wildlife Area

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Parks

Utah

Nearby: Manti City Park State Wildlife Area 6-Mile

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Mantua Fish Face State Wildlife Area is a popular destination in the state of Utah for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Summary

The wildlife area spans more than 1,500 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and numerous bird species.

One of the main reasons to visit the Mantua Fish Face State Wildlife Area is for its excellent fishing opportunities. The area is home to three different bodies of water: Mantua Reservoir, Little Reservoir, and Box Elder Creek. These bodies of water are stocked with rainbow trout, and visitors can also catch perch, bluegill, and bullhead catfish.

In addition to fishing, visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. There are several trails throughout the wildlife area that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife. Visitors can also camp in the area's designated campsites.

Interesting facts about the Mantua Fish Face State Wildlife Area include its rich history. The area was once home to the Shoshone and Ute Native American tribes, and later became a popular spot for fur trappers and traders. The Mantua Reservoir was built in the early 1900s to provide water for nearby farms and ranches.

The best time of year to visit the Mantua Fish Face State Wildlife Area depends on what activities visitors are interested in. Fishing is generally best in the spring and fall, while hiking and camping can be enjoyed throughout the summer months. The area is also popular for fall foliage viewing in September and October.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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