2018 Map of Needles NW

About this map

The Colorado River defines the eastern edge of this landscape, carving a boundary between San Bernardino County, California and Mohave County, Arizona. The settlement of Needles occupies the river’s western bank, serving as a gateway to the arid expanse of the Mojave Desert and the Dead Mountains. The map reveals a transition from the riparian environment of the Mohave Valley to the dry, broad floor of Piute Valley. Transport history is visible through the National Old Trails Hwy and the Railroad Access Rd, which skirt the southern reaches near the railroad stop at Java. Farther north, the drainage of Piute Wash cuts through the desert floor, leading toward the foothills where Red Spring provides a rare water source in the high desert terrain.