The landscape is extraordinarily complex: deep canyons with vertical walls of volcanic rock, high ridges that command views of the surrounding country for distances of fifty miles and more, hidden valleys with springs that do not appear on any map a pursuing force would have possessed, passes through the ranges that are difficult to find without local knowledge.

This terrain provided the Apache with multiple specific military advantages.

The high ground allowed observation of pursuing forces at distances that gave the defenders time to move before the pursuers arrived.

The complex canyon country provided concealment that columns of soldiers on horseback could not penetrate effectively.

The hidden springs allowed the Apache to survive in country that appeared waterless to people who did not know where to look.

The Apache also used the terrain as a defensive weapon in engagements.