Today the canyon bearing the name Doubtful Canyon, is mostly in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, near the New Mexico border.

It descends to the east into the Animas Valley past Steins Peak[2] it is in Hidalgo County, New Mexico.

[1] The western canyon is now called West Doubtful Canyon and it descends into the San Simon Valley, in Cochise County, Arizona.

[1] The mountain water sources and the low north south divide that lay between the two Doubtful canyons made it a favored shortcut to the Southern Emigrant Trail wagon road for east west travelers.

Doubtful Canyon and West Doubtful Canyon formed the pass where the Butterfield Overland Mail passed through the Peloncillo Mountains.