Millard County provided numerous adventures across its vast landscape, offering sites for families to create memories. The area served as a destination for OHV adventures and featured some of the best ATV/UTV opportunities in the country.
Diverse Geological Landscapes
The natural geography of the region included the Black Rock Desert, a volcanic field covering more than 700 square miles in eastern Millard County that contained lava tubes, volcanic cones, craters, and pressure ridges. Visitors could also find the sheer cliff of Notch Peak, which rose approximately 3000 feet above the desert floor.
Unique Water and Rock Formations
Water and geological features included the Crystal Ball Cave and Warm Springs in Gandy, Utah, which featured calcite crystal formations. Other notable sites included Painter Springs, a canyon with pink granite upthrust, and Elephant Rock, which offered two unique rock formations.
Local Wildlife Habitats
In addition to geological landmarks, the county hosted various wildlife habitats, such as the Clear Lake Bird Refuge south of Delta and areas where wild horses ran free on the west desert.
Historical Mining and Settlement Sites
Historical sites documented the region's past, including the Joy Ghost Town, which was settled in 1872 as a mining center for gold, silver, manganese, and copper. The Territorial Statehouse served multiple roles after 1858, acting as a jail, school, theater, and religious meeting center.
Military History and Museums
The Topaz Relocation Site and Museum detailed the period when the U.S. Army and government moved 110,000 people to remote camps due to military necessity. Other historical points of interest included Cove Fort, which showcased nineteenth-century accommodations, and Old Fort Deseret, which demonstrated early settler ingenuity.
Regional Museums and Recreation Areas
The Great Basin Museum, established in 1989, worked to interpret the history of Millard County and surrounding areas. Other regional attractions included the Little Sahara Recreation area in Juab County, which functioned as a large designated riding area for OHV sports.
