Published in 2008 from 2004 survey work, the USGS “Manson Quadrangle” presents a finely detailed portrait of the Lake Chelan country at the large-scale precision of 1:24,000. Centered on Manson, Washington, the map captures a resort community set against one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dramatic inland waterscapes. Lake Chelan dominates the composition in cool blue, its shoreline articulating the relationship between settlement, recreation, orchards, and steep surrounding terrain. Roads radiate from Manson toward nearby coves, points, parks, and uplands, while the cartographic language of the United States Geological Survey renders the region with scientific clarity. It is a map of both place and transition: a lakeside community framed by mountains, water, and expanding human use.

Manson occupies a distinctive position on the north shore of Lake Chelan, a long, glacier-carved lake celebrated for its extraordinary depth, clear waters, and mountainous setting. The quadrangle records the town not as an isolated resort but as part of a broader landscape of ridgelines, drainages, parkland, and rural roads. Rocky Point, Lawrence Lake, Echo Valley, and the route connections leading toward Chelan all help define the local geography. Chelan State Park appears within the wider recreational setting, emphasizing the area’s importance as a destination for boating, camping, hiking, and summer leisure. The map’s blue water bodies, brown contour lines, and carefully labeled features make visible the geographic structure that has shaped Manson’s development and enduring appeal.

The cartographic discipline of the USGS is especially evident in the map’s topographic detail. Dense contour lines describe the climbing terrain around Lake Chelan, revealing slopes, ridges, draws, and higher elevations with a precision that transforms the sheet into a readable model of the land. These contours show how quickly the country rises from the lakeshore into the surrounding hills, a defining characteristic of Chelan County’s dramatic scenery. Trails indicated by dashed lines offer a glimpse into recreational and working access routes, while roads and land-use areas add a human layer to the natural relief. The resulting map is not merely a guide to location, but an interpretation of elevation, movement, and landscape character.

The United States Geological Survey has long been the preeminent federal authority for topographic mapping in the United States, and this quadrangle reflects the mature form of that tradition. USGS maps combine field observation, aerial and satellite-derived data, standardized symbols, and rigorous geodetic control to produce accurate representations of terrain and infrastructure. In the Manson Quadrangle, that methodical approach gives equal importance to natural features and built environments: lakes, rivers, contours, parks, roads, trails, and jurisdictional or land-use designations are all integrated into a coherent visual system. The red-boxed land classification areas and national forest notations hint at the administrative complexity of the region, where recreation, conservation, private land, and public management intersect.

As a historical document, the Manson Quadrangle records a moment in the evolving story of Lake Chelan and its shoreline communities. By the early twenty-first century, Manson had become closely associated with tourism, vineyards, second homes, and outdoor recreation, while still retaining ties to the agricultural landscapes of north-central Washington. The map preserves the spatial pattern of that era: clustered settlement near the lake, roads tracing the contours of habitable ground, and upland terrain remaining comparatively open, forested, or recreational. It also invites comparison with earlier and later maps, revealing changes in development, shoreline use, trail access, and environmental conditions. In this sense, it is both a precise geographic instrument and a quietly revealing record of regional change.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Manson, WA
• Lake Chelan
• Chelan River
• Chelan County
• Echo Valley
• Rocky Point
• Lawrence Lake
• Chelan State Park
• Areas denoted by land use classifications
• Nearby higher elevations marked with specific contour lines
• National Forest areas
• Trails indicated by dashed lines
• Roads connecting Manson to other nearby locations
• Water bodies represented with blue shading

Historical context & cartographic details

• Map Name: Manson Quadrangle
• Publisher: United States Geological Survey (USGS)
• Production Date: 2004; published in 2008
• Map Scale: 1:24,000
• Historical topographical map displaying Manson, Washington and its surrounding areas
• USGS is known for comprehensive topographical mapping initiatives across the United States, using rigorous survey methods to represent geographical features accurately
• Manson, Washington is known as a resort community along Lake Chelan
• Cartographic style includes detailed contour lines to illustrate elevation changes
• Varying shades represent different topographical features such as mountains and lakes
• The map details the mountainous terrain surrounding the area
• Historical significance includes development around Manson and potential environmental changes in the Lake Chelan area

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.