1979 Map of Tusayan West

About this map

Tusayan stands as a primary gateway to the South Rim, situated at a transition between the Grand Canyon National Park boundary and the surrounding Kaibab National Forest. The landscape is dominated by the dry drainage of Coconino Wash and the rugged Long Jim Canyon to the northeast. Transportation and infrastructure patterns reflect the era's reliance on rail and aviation, with the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cutting across the northern reaches and an Airway Beacon positioned to guide regional flight paths. Because of the arid high-desert environment, water management is the most visible sign of human engineering on the map. A sophisticated network of reservoirs and tanks, including Rain Tank, Boggy Tank, and the Ranger Tank, are strategically distributed across the forest for ranching or forestry needs. Small-scale industrial activity is noted through scattered Borrow Pit and Prospects labels, while the high point at Apex provides a clear topographic landmark amidst the forest terrain.