2021 Map of Water Pockets

About this map

The Paria River carves a deep path through this section of Coconino County, defining the central geography as it winds through Paria Canyon. This 2021 topographic survey highlights the stark transition between the elevated Paria Plateau and the dramatic drop of the Vermilion Cliffs in the southeast. Named for the natural depressions that collect seasonal runoff, the Water Pockets area remains a landscape defined by water and stone. To the north, Cedar Mtn and Ferry Swale characterize the high ground, while specialized infrastructure like the Bush Head Tank indicates the management of scarce resources in this arid environment. Backcountry navigation is marked by the 1582 Trl and 1571 Trl, which provide the only formal routes across the Sand Hills and along the canyon rims.