2017 Map of The Arch

About this map

The Arch stands as a prominent landmark within the steep, winding corridor of Arch Canyon, where the Jarbidge River cuts deeply through the high plateaus of Owyhee County. This remote corner of Idaho is characterized by expansive, arid tablelands, including the Diamond A Desert to the west and the Inside Desert to the east. The landscape's volcanic origins are suggested by features like the Crater Hole near Arch Table, while the scarce water sources are marked by labels like Cougar Spring and the ephemeral Cougar Cr. The map's contour lines reveal the dramatic verticality of the river's canyon, which drops hundreds of feet from the surrounding desert flats, creating a natural barrier that has historically dictated movement through this high-desert environment.