2020 Map of Five Lakes Canyon NW

About this map

Five Lakes Canyon and Cañon Largo converge in this high-desert landscape on the border of Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties. The terrain is defined by a series of deep drainages, including Burro Canyon, Bonita Canyon, and Menfee Canyon, which carve through the sandstone plateau. A network of Bureau of Indian Affairs routes, such as Indian Svc Rte 20 and Indian Svc Rte 22, provides the primary access through this sparsely populated region. Evidence of the challenging environment is clear from map notes warning of sandy roads and sections requiring four-wheel drive, particularly near the intersections with Indian Svc Rte 38. This modern survey records the persistent drainage patterns of the Arroyo Valles and the intricate topography of the San Juan Basin as they appeared in the early 21st century.