2018 Map of Mud Hills

About this map

Rainbow Basin serves as a central geological landmark in this arid section of San Bernardino County. The landscape is defined by deep drainage systems and rugged formations, notably Fossil Canyon and Coon Canyon in the southwest, and the eponymous Mud Hills to the east. This survey from the late 2010s shows a territory largely managed by the Bureau of Land Management, where the natural topography dictates the few access points. Human activity is evidenced primarily by unpaved corridors such as Fossil Bed Rd and Owl Canyon Rd, which lead into the heart of the Mojave Desert. This environment is a significant site for paleontological study, indicated by the specific naming of canyon and road features. The intricate contour lines across Owl Canyon reflect the erosional forces that have shaped these badlands over millennia.