2023 Map of Five Lakes Canyon NW

About this map

Cañon Largo dominates the southwestern reach of this terrain on the border of Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties. The landscape is defined by a network of deeply etched drainages, including Five Lakes Canyon and Menfee Canyon, which feed into the larger regional hydrological system. Modern access to this remote high-desert environment relies on several Bureau of Indian Affairs routes, such as Indian Svc Rte 22 and Indian Svc Rte 20, though much of the land remains restricted by difficult passage as indicated by noted sandy roads and 4WD requirements. The intersection of these routes and the prominent Arroyo Valles reflects a modern land management pattern that respects the significant topographical obstacles of Bonita Canyon and Chacon Canyon. This survey provides a precise accounting of current drainage paths and transportation networks across the San Juan Basin floor.