Joy was a mining town that was founded in the 1870s.Significant gold, silver,
and copper were extracted from the area. Today, Joy is a ghost town that
contains remnants of building foundations and mining equipment

Joy was a mining town that was founded in the 1870s.Significant gold, silver, and copper were extracted from the area. Today, Joy is a ghost town that contains remnants of building foundations and mining equipment

Bird's eye view of the park

Joy Townsite

These sere hills contain some of the most productive and diverse rockhound
areas in the west. Visitors to Topaz mountain can collect a variety of topaz
and crystals, while nearby are trilobite beds (at Antelope Springs), and geode
beds near Dugway. There are no facilities in any of these areas, but dispersed
camping is permitted throughout.

These sere hills contain some of the most productive and diverse rockhound areas in the west. Visitors to Topaz mountain can collect a variety of topaz and crystals, while nearby are trilobite beds (at Antelope Springs), and geode beds near Dugway. There are no facilities in any of these areas, but dispersed camping is permitted throughout.

Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area

Topaz, Utah's state gem, is a semi-precious gemstone that occurs as very hard,
transparent crystals in a variety of colors. The topaz crystals at Topaz
Mountain are naturally amber colored but become colorless after extensive
exposure to sunlight. The crystals formed within cavities of the Topaz
Mountain rhyolite, a volcanic rock which erupted approximately six to seven
million years ago from volcanic vents along faults in the area. Topaz Mountain
is one of the world's great places to find topaz. If you search the washes and
slopes on the south side of the mountain you will find small topaz crystals
glimmering in the sunlight. If you search seams in the rhyolite, you may find
gem-quality crystals. Topaz Mountain is located in a remote area where there
is no water and no services are provided. You should always carry food, plenty
of water, tools and emergency equipment. To dig the topaz, helpful tools
include a rock hammer or regular hammer, screw driver, bags for your gems,
hiking boots, hat, sun screen, bug repellant and once again don t forget the
water! Jeans are a wise choice since while you are digging you are often on
your knees on the rough and jagged rocks.

Topaz, Utah's state gem, is a semi-precious gemstone that occurs as very hard, transparent crystals in a variety of colors. The topaz crystals at Topaz Mountain are naturally amber colored but become colorless after extensive exposure to sunlight. The crystals formed within cavities of the Topaz Mountain rhyolite, a volcanic rock which erupted approximately six to seven million years ago from volcanic vents along faults in the area. Topaz Mountain is one of the world's great places to find topaz. If you search the washes and slopes on the south side of the mountain you will find small topaz crystals glimmering in the sunlight. If you search seams in the rhyolite, you may find gem-quality crystals. Topaz Mountain is located in a remote area where there is no water and no services are provided. You should always carry food, plenty of water, tools and emergency equipment. To dig the topaz, helpful tools include a rock hammer or regular hammer, screw driver, bags for your gems, hiking boots, hat, sun screen, bug repellant and once again don t forget the water! Jeans are a wise choice since while you are digging you are often on your knees on the rough and jagged rocks.

Topaz Mountain

At over 9,600 feet Swasey Mountain is the highest peak in the House Range and
it is a prominent West Desert landmark. Swasey Peak, Tatow Knob, and the sheer
limestone cliffs along the west side are the most striking features. Special
Features: Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles are a raptor
species which inhabit the WSA. Golden eagles nest in the WSA. Sensitive
wildlife that could inhabit the WSA include the ferruginous hawk, long-billed
curlew, burrowing owl, kit fox, and Swasey Spring pocket gopher. On the higher
slopes are 1,100 acres of bristlecone pine, one of the oldest living species
of trees. A herd of wild horses roams the WSA. The area around the WSA is
considered to be outstanding in Utah and nationally for Cambrian trilobites.
At least four limestone caves exist within the WSA.

At over 9,600 feet Swasey Mountain is the highest peak in the House Range and it is a prominent West Desert landmark. Swasey Peak, Tatow Knob, and the sheer limestone cliffs along the west side are the most striking features. Special Features: Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles are a raptor species which inhabit the WSA. Golden eagles nest in the WSA. Sensitive wildlife that could inhabit the WSA include the ferruginous hawk, long-billed curlew, burrowing owl, kit fox, and Swasey Spring pocket gopher. On the higher slopes are 1,100 acres of bristlecone pine, one of the oldest living species of trees. A herd of wild horses roams the WSA. The area around the WSA is considered to be outstanding in Utah and nationally for Cambrian trilobites. At least four limestone caves exist within the WSA.

Joy Townsite

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Nearby Parks

Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area

Topaz Mountain

Swasey Mountain WSA