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1971 Map of Castolon

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Castolon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a dramatic international boundary through the southern reaches of Big Bend National Park, as documented in this early 1970s survey. This arid landscape is defined by the confluence of Terlingua Creek and Alamo Creek with the river, where several historic sites are clustered. The settlement of Castolon and the ruins at Terlingua Abaja stand as significant cultural landmarks, supported by utilitarian features like the Gaging Sta and nearby Gravel Pits.

Tracing the river westward leads to the sheer walls of Santa Elena Canyon, a site of significant geological and recreational interest marked by the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. Genealogists and local historians can locate remote burial sites such as Coyote Cem and another Cem further inland. The map also captures early park infrastructure, including the Chimneys Trail, Cottonwood Campground, and the Rio Vista Campsite.