1985 Map of Navajo Canyon

About this map

Navajo Indian Reservation lands dominate this high desert landscape on the border of Utah and Colorado, where ancient archaeological history meets the mid-century energy economy. The terrain is defined by the high, flat surface of Cajon Mesa, deeply incised by the drainage systems of Navajo Canyon and Montezuma Creek. A portion of the Hovenweep National Monument is preserved here, protecting ancestral Puebloan sites within the winding canyons. Beyond the cultural ruins, the map records the modern pulse of the region through numerous oil and gas wells and a network of unimproved roads. Small markers such as a Cem and isolated tanks suggest the sparse human presence in this arid corner of San Juan County during the late 1970s.