2017 Map of Bear Canyon

About this map

Capitol Reef National Park and the Dixie National Forest meet in this high-desert landscape, defined by dramatic geologic uplift and deep drainage systems. The eastern edge is dominated by the striking Water Pocket Fold, a massive monocline that dictates the local hydrology and travel routes. Named topographical landmarks like Nicks Peak and Oak Creek Point provide vantage points over a network of seasonal watercourses including Tantalus Cr and Oak Creek. To the south, the terrain descends into the Circle Cliffs, where the erosive force of water has carved out North Coleman Canyon and South Coleman Canyon. This area represents a transition between protected forest land and the starker, more exposed formations of the canyonlands, revealing a complex environment of mesas and narrow draws.