## Overview Kaibab National Forest is a vast, ecologically diverse public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, encompassing approximately 1.6 million acres in northern Arizona[8]. It uniquely surrounds both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, offering a dramatic landscape of prairies, plateaus, canyonlands, and the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States[2][6]. The forest’s elevation ranges from 3,000 to over 10,000 feet, creating a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, black bears, mountain lions, and numerous bird species[2][3]. ## What the Organization Does Kaibab National Forest is managed for multiple uses, including recreation, conservation, timber, grazing, and cultural resource protection. It provides extensive opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling[1][6]. The forest also protects significant archaeological sites, including ancient petroglyphs and pictographs from the Cohonina and Kayenta Anasazi cultures, dating back over 1,000 years[2][3]. The Forest Service works to balance recreational access with habitat preservation, wildfire management, and sustainable resource use. ## History The area’s human history stretches back millennia, with evidence of Indigenous habitation and use by tribes such as the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni[7]. European-American settlement brought changes, and by the late 19th century, overgrazing and drought led to ecological challenges[4]. In 1893, part of the forest was designated as the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve, evolving into Kaibab National Forest in 1906[1]. The forest’s boundaries and management have shifted over time, notably losing land to Grand Canyon National Park in 1927 to accommodate tourism[1