2017 Map of Smithsonian Butte

About this map

Smithsonian Butte and the Vermilion Cliffs dominate the center of this 2017 survey, where the high plateaus of southern Utah meet the Arizona border. The landscape is defined by massive geologic features like Canaan Mtn and Moccasin Terrace, punctuated by seasonal drainages such as Gould Wash and Grafton Wash. Human settlement is concentrated in the northern corridor at Rockville and in the south at Hildale, while Big Plain Junction serves as a connector between these remote outposts. Traces of historical land use appear through named water sources like Sawmill Spring and Canaan Springs, which were vital for life in this arid environment. Roads like Canaan Ranch Rd and Mesa Road skirt the base of the cliffs, providing the only access through the difficult terrain of the Big Plain and Dutton Pass.