Loading map...

1962 Map of Bright Angel

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Bright Angel
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Colorado River carves a path through the heart of this survey, defining a landscape of immense vertical relief punctuated by named temples, towers, and buttes. On the south rim, the settlement of Grand Canyon serves as a primary hub, featuring the El Tovar Hotel, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, and the terminus of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. This rail connection historically facilitated the early tourism and logistical expansion of the park.

Deep within the canyon, Phantom Ranch sits at the confluence of Bright Angel Creek and the river, marking a remote outpost accessible by the North Kaibab Trail. The map documents early-1960s park infrastructure, including the National Park Service Training Center and several Gravel Pits used for road maintenance. From the Kaibab Plateau in the north to the Coconino Plateau in the south, the topography is marked by significant springs like Roaring Springs and landmarks such as Cheops Pyramid and the Shiva Temple.