1986 Map of San Rafael Desert

About this map

San Rafael Reef forms the dramatic eastern boundary of the San Rafael Swell, a massive geological uplift that dominates the western half of this mid-1980s landscape. To the east, the Green River carves a winding path through the high desert, creating distinctive features like the sharp meander of Bowknot Bend and the depths of Labyrinth Canyon. The map reveals a transition from traditional livestock grazing lands like The Pasture and Keesle Country to modern aerospace use, most notably with the Utah Launch Complex and a portion of the White Sands Missile Range near the town of Green River. Human presence is sparse, centered around points like The Frenchmans and the recreational lands at Goblin Valley State Reserve. Transport is defined by the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad and the corridor of Interstate 70, providing a stark contrast to the labyrinthine drainage systems of Iron Wash and Temple Wash.