Published in 1979 from survey data collected in 1966, the US Geological Survey’s “Alpine” captures a dramatic corner of western Wyoming where rivers, canyons, forests, and mountain slopes converge. At a scale of 1:24,000, the map offers the intimate precision for which USGS quadrangles are prized, rendering the terrain around Alpine with contour lines, graded color, and crisp hydrographic detail. The town itself appears near the meeting of major waterways and routes, set within a landscape shaped by steep relief and broad valley floors. More than a navigational document, the map preserves a late-1960s portrait of a region poised between remote mountain country, working rural settlement, and increasing recreational access.

The United States Geological Survey brought a disciplined scientific eye to this map, continuing a national mapping project that transformed American geographic knowledge throughout the twentieth century. Its topographic style is understated but remarkably rich: brown contour lines articulate ridges, benches, and canyon walls; blue traces rivers, creeks, and the broad water surface of Palisades Lake; green denotes forested land, including parts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The result is both practical and elegant, a landscape translated into a language of measurement and form. For collectors, USGS maps of this period are especially evocative, combining postwar cartographic accuracy with a visual clarity that rewards close reading.

Water dominates the geography of the Alpine quadrangle. The Snake River and Salt River help define the area’s valley system, while Grey’s River and Cedar Creek add finer detail to the drainage network that threads through the mountains. Palisades Lake, created by the Palisades Dam downstream on the Snake River, is a prominent feature, marking one of the most significant twentieth-century transformations of this landscape. Alpine Canyon appears as a rugged corridor where topography tightens and the river environment becomes more dramatic. The map’s careful depiction of shorelines, stream courses, and water interfaces makes it a compelling record of a region where hydrology, settlement, and mountain terrain are inseparable.

Alpine, Wyoming, sits at the heart of the map as a modest but strategically placed community near important roads and river junctions. U.S. Highway 89 and State Highway 26 are shown threading through the terrain, connecting the settlement to broader regional routes across western Wyoming and toward Idaho. Smaller roads and trails branch into forested and mountainous areas, hinting at ranching access, timber routes, recreation, and backcountry travel. The map therefore captures not only natural landforms but also the human geography of movement through a demanding environment. Comparing its roads, trails, and developed areas with the present day reveals how Alpine and its surroundings have changed since the 1960s.

Beyond its immediate geographic detail, “Alpine” evokes the larger setting of the Greater Yellowstone and Bridger-Teton mountain world, with national forest lands and park-related boundaries underscoring the conservation importance of the region. The contouring reveals the steep transition from valley bottoms to uplands, showing why this area has long attracted anglers, boaters, hikers, hunters, and travelers drawn to western Wyoming’s dramatic scenery. Its clean layout and traditional topographic design make the map both accessible and deeply informative, rewarding the eye with patterns of elevation, drainage, and human passage. As a historical document, it offers a beautifully measured glimpse of Alpine before later decades of growth and environmental change.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Alpine, Wyoming
• Palisades Lake
• Salt River
• Bridger-Teton National Forest
• Snake River
• Alpine Canyon
• Grey's River
• National Park boundaries
• Cedar Creek
• U.S. Highway 89
• State Highway 26
• Various trails and roads

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey as a historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Alpine, Wyoming, and the surrounding area.
• Survey data was collected in 1966, and the map was published with a 1979 imprint.
• The USGS is a U.S. federal scientific agency known for producing topographical maps and geological surveys.
• The map uses a clear color scheme to distinguish landforms, water bodies, and forested areas.
• Contour lines, color gradients, and elevation shading depict mountainous terrain, valleys, and water interfaces.
• The map provides a historical snapshot of the Alpine area, offering insight into geographical, environmental, and development changes since the 1960s.
• The layout reflects the clean, detail-oriented style typical of historical USGS topographic mapping.

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

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.