1986 Map of San Rafael Desert

About this map

The San Rafael Swell and the surrounding San Rafael Country define this mid-1980s landscape, where geological uplift meets the winding path of the Green River. The topography is dominated by the dramatic San Rafael Reef, a sawtooth ridge of sandstone that separates the high plateau from the lower San Rafael Desert. This era shows a unique overlap of recreation and high-technology defense; while the Goblin Valley State Reserve protects whimsical rock formations, the northeastern corner is occupied by the Utah Launch Complex and its associated Missile Range. Transportation is anchored by the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and Interstate 70, which cut through the northern portion near the settlements of Green River and Elgin. Resource extraction remains evident through scattered sites like the Copper Globe Mine and Lucky Strike Mine, illustrating the persistent effort to find value in this arid environment.