Joy, Utah

Founded in the 1870s by two mining engineers, Joy was once a thriving mining community near Mount Laird in the secluded Drum Mountains. Here, the Black Boy Mine pulled large amounts of manganese from the ground and, to a lesser extent, gold, silver, and copper.

Ultimately, the mine shut down due to high transportation costs to and from the isolated area. While the remaining building foundations, equipment, and other items give visitors a glimpse into a bygone era, exercise caution around them. They are all deteriorating and should be left alone. Joy’s high elevation, low humidity, lack of light pollution, and picturesque desert surroundings make it an ideal spot to stargaze.