2023 Map of Little Wild Horse Mesa

About this map

The San Rafael Swell and its jagged companion, the San Rafael Reef, dominate this central Utah landscape, showcasing the dramatic geological uplifting and erosion characteristic of Emery County. The terrain is defined by a series of stepped plateaus, including Little Wild Horse Mesa, Mid Wild Horse Mesa, and Big Wild Horse Mesa, which rise above a network of deep drainages. Human passage through this high-desert environment is largely limited to Wild Horse Rd, providing access to the narrow slots of Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon. In the southwest, the perennial flow of Muddy Creek cuts through the desert floor, while the isolated Cistern Canyon Spr highlights the scarcity of water in this arid expanse. The map effectively documents the intersection of these massive geological formations and the natural watercourses like Wild Horse Creek that continue to shape them.