The geologic structure of the study area is dominated by a series of northwest trending, southwest dipping normal faults. The Cathedral Rock Fault, which transects the northeast corner of BPWC CC&N, is one of the major structural features in the Sedona area. It is believed to have originated to the east of Big Park near Horse Mesa. The fault can be traced from the southwest end of Horse Mesa along a gentle northwest arc past Bell Rock, where it intersects with Bear Canyon Fault near Dry Creek. Average displacement along the fault is estimated to be 500 feet. The displacement near Bell Rock is approximately 250 feet (Levings, 1980).

An unnamed fault, trending northwest and dipping southwest, bounds the southwest portion of the study area. A third fault also trending northwest and dipping to the southwest is located to the north of Little Park. The location and/or presence of this fault in the Big Park area is uncertain because the surface expression of the fault is covered by Quaternary alluvial deposits.