Congressionally Designated Special Management Areas in the National Forest System. In 1891, Congress authorized the President to reserve public forests to protect the lands and resources. The many presidential proclamations and subsequent land purchases have led to the current National Forest System.

In the United States, National Forests are primarily designated by the President or through an Act of Congress. This authority stems from the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, which allowed the President to "reserve" public forest lands to protect them from exploitative logging. While presidents like Theodore Roosevelt used this power to protect millions of acres, the process today is highly collaborative involving the U.S. Forest Service (part of the Department of Agriculture). The Forest Service manages these lands, but any new designation or significant boundary change typically requires Congressional legislation to ensure public and political consensus. Unlike National Parks (which are managed for preservation and recreation by the Dept. of Interior), National Forests are managed under a "Multiple Use" mandate, which allows for a balance of conservation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and 2026 recreation activities like hiking and camping.