2014 Map of Willow Spring Canyon

About this map

Black Canyon City sits at the southwestern edge of this landscape, positioned where the Agua Fria River meets the foothills of the New River Mountains. This 2014 survey documents a rugged portion of the Tonto National Forest that straddles the boundary between Yavapai and Maricopa Counties. The terrain is defined by high plateaus like Squaw Creek Mesa and Black Mesa, cut by a complex drainage system including Squaw Creek and the long reach of Willow Spring Canyon. The presence of several cattle-ranching and water-management features, such as Woody Tank and Brushy Tanks, points to the area's continued use for grazing. Local history and geography are preserved in named landmarks like Boteler Peak and Shorty Smith Spring, while the winding Old Perry Buchanan Rd provides a trace of historical movement through these canyons.