Issued in 1878 under the direction of George M. Wheeler, Map Showing Routes of the River and Land Parties Engaged in Exploring the Grand Cañon of the Colorado captures the drama and precision of federal science at the close of the 19th century. The sheet follows the Colorado River from the chasms of the Grand Canyon southward toward Las Vegas and the river bend at Bullhead City, stitching together a demanding landscape with exacting topographical lines. Watercourses, canyons, and plateaus are rendered with a surveyor’s discipline, while trails and camps are keyed to a clear legend that distinguishes route types and field operations. County and state boundaries thread through the terrain, situating the canyon country within a broader administrative mosaic and underscoring how exploration translated directly into governance, transportation planning, and the emerging geography of the American Southwest.

Historically, this work stands at the heart of the Wheeler Survey’s multi-expedition program, which from 1869 to 1871 set out to map lands west of the 100th meridian at an ambitious scale of eight miles to the inch. The map vividly registers the strategy of pairing river parties with land detachments—complementary lines of advance that together cracked one of North America’s most formidable geographic riddles. The Grand Wash Cliffs, Black Canyon, and Cataract Canyon anchor the river corridor, while the Virgin River and the approaches across the Eastern Mohave Desert signal gateways for future routes. By recording camps, portages, and traverses, Wheeler’s teams converted perilous reconnaissance into actionable knowledge for engineers, soldiers, and settlers.

Equally compelling is the map’s ethnographic and cultural intelligence. The Hualapai Valley is prominently labelled, and notations identify local Indigenous tribes whose homelands, trails, and water sources shaped every mile of movement. References to Hualapai, Mojave, Havasupai, and Southern Paiute territories acknowledge an inhabited and expertly understood landscape long before federal surveys arrived. Trails align with Indigenous pathways; camps nestle at known springs along the Colorado and its tributaries. Military waypoints such as Camp Mohave and the crossing at The Needles speak to a frontier where diplomacy, protection of travel corridors, and resource access intertwined—a reminder that cartography here was as much about people and power as about peaks and rivers.

The map’s geographic sweep includes the canyon rims and volcanic uplands near present-day Flagstaff, the sandstone country around Sedona, and the rugged Hualapai Mountains rising above the desert floor. It traces the Colorado’s march through Black Canyon toward the area later transformed by Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, here shown in its original, unimpounded state. Las Vegas appears as a critical desert node fed by perennial springs, while Kingman and the river corridor at Bullhead City are situated within a lattice of ridges, washes, and arroyos that dictated travel and supply. Farther west and north, the deserts that would later frame Goldfield and Beatty are sketched as austere basins and ranges—geographic prefaces to future mining booms.

As an instrument of statecraft and science, Wheeler’s mapping helped seed later achievements in topographic cartography, resource surveys, and environmental planning, including the reclamation era and the eventual protection of the Grand Canyon. The disciplined contours, keyed symbols for routes and camps, and careful boundary delineations demonstrate a method that fused field observation with emerging geodetic standards. Yet beyond its technical mastery, the map preserves the narrative of audacious exploration—boats bucking rapids, land parties edging across mesas, scouts reading cloud shadows for hidden water. It is a rare convergence of art and empiricism, illuminating a defining chapter in the making—and imagining—of the American West.

Places on this map

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Hualapai Valley
• Las Vegas
• Sedona
• Flagstaff
• Kingman
• Bullhead City
• Mojave Desert
• Colorado River
• Hualapai Mountain
• Lake Mead
• Grand Wash Cliffs
• Cataract Canyon
• Black Canyon
• Eastern Mohave Desert
• Camp Mohave
• The Needles
• Virgin River
• Goldfield
• Beatty

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Topographical Lines: Demonstrating elevation changes across the region.
• Water Bodies: Rivers and lakes are marked, indicating major sources of water.
• Trail Routes: Paths taken by exploration parties are outlined.
• Camps: Locations of historical camps utilized during the surveys are identified.
• Hualapai Valley: Clearly labelled area providing context about indigenous territories.
• Mountain Ranges: Various mountain ranges are depicted with attention to detail.
• Landforms: Notable features include canyons, valleys, and plateaus.
• Boundaries: Indications of county and state boundaries within the regions.
• Legends and Keys: Information on path types, land use, and significant features.
• Local Indigenous Tribes: Notation of tribes encountered during surveys.

Historical and design context

• Name of the Map: Map Showing Routes of the River and Land Parties Engaged in Exploring the Grand Cañon of the Colorado
• Created by: George M. Wheeler in 1878
• Historical Background: The map relates to surveys conducted by George M. Wheeler, who led multi-expedition efforts to map the southwestern United States from 1869 to 1871. These surveys aimed to provide comprehensive geographical information and support development in the region.
• Survey Context: The Wheler Survey aimed to map areas west of the 100th meridian at a scale of 8 miles to the inch, focusing on topographic details, Native American tribes, potential military sites, transportation routes, and natural resources.
• Geographical Coverage: The map highlights a detailed section of Arizona and Nevada, particularly ranging from the Grand Canyon in the north to Las Vegas and Bullhead City in the south.
• Design Style: The map exhibits intricate topographical details, emphasizing the physical features of the landscape, such as elevations and natural contours.
• Historical Significance: The Wheeler Survey represented an essential step in the U.S. government's effort to fully explore and document the American West, contributing to later developments in mapping and geography.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.