I've lived for a short time in Texas, where there is very little in the way of public lands and then here in the west, where we have quite a lot (maybe some case can certainly be made that we have too much in some places, that's for sure).
The lifestyle advantages of having access to public lands like National Forests are tremendous and there is no question in my mind that they are quite valuable as a public resource.
However, I too have "issues" with the management of these resources in some cases. I believe that the environmentalists have injected a great deal of "unwisdom" into this management in recent years. One of the drawbacks of public lands is that they become susceptible to political influence from well-funded special interests: Like the Sierra Club and other radical environmentalists. Staunching that influence is a tiring and costly fight that many don't have the time, energy or money to wage. But finding a way to acquire and maintan good management over these lands is worth it to keep these lands open to public use.
I'd like to see more use of these lands, not less, with the lands being maintained largely for recreational purposes. For one, I'd like to see ski resorts and areas -- most American ski areas are on National Forest land -- have an easier time making improvements, and even allowing more of them to expand hotel and restaurant offerings.
It was difficult in Texas to find affordable outdoor recreational activities -- whereas here, and in much of the west, it is easy to do so.