Ophir Canyon is a short drive from Salt Lake City. You can get to Ophir Utah by heading south from Tooele on Highway 36. Take a left on Highway 73. Follow the signs.
You can also get there by taking Highway 73 west from Lehi in Utah County. Lehi is 18 miles south of the I-215/I-15 interchange in Salt Lake City.
Gold was discovered in the canyon in the 1860s. The name Ophir comes from the biblical Ophir, where King Solomon brought back gold to Isreal.
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Sulfur and Copper are very noticeable in the mine tailings. Lead,
Silver and Zinc were the main minerals recovered. Very little
Gold was mined. |
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There are many diversions just off the main road.
A hillside of tailings provided many treasures for the kids to bring home.
It's lose rock so make sure they're careful and wearing appropriate
footwear. They'll be covered in a rust colored dust in minutes.
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The population of Ophir is about 40. Over the years the
number of inhabitants has risen and fallen, mostly fallen. |
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Reminders of the Mining history of Ophir Canyon abound. Ophir Utah is a great example of a living ghost town. There are still a few old buildings lining the streets. There are some new homes. A few new cabins. And places to camp further up the canyon.
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