VISIT HISTORIC SITE

After Topaz closed in 1945, the U.S. government dismantled the camp. The wood from the buildings was either stripped for recycling or the buildings were sold for $250 for half of a barrack and $500 for half of a hospital wing. Utility poles were removed as were the water pipes, leaving ditches where the pipes once were. The original barbed wire fence remains, although the four strands of wire sag in places. Still, the area reminds visitors of what was once the fifth largest city in Utah. Outlines of where the barracks stood, rock gardens, and pathways are etched into the ground and under the greasewood that has grown since the camp closed.

Thumbnail of historic site map

Historic Site Map

Topaz Site monument as seen in virtual tour

Historic Virtual Tour

The Museum Board has purchased 639 acres of the original Topaz camp and is the legal steward of the historic site that is being preserved for historic and educational purposes. If you visit the site, we ask that you follow our site rules, and please do not remove any artifacts. Be careful of rusty nails. To schedule a guided tour of the Topaz site, please complete the Tour Request Form on this website.

We advise visiting the Topaz Museum before traveling to the mile-square camp site, located between 10000 and 11000 West on 4500 North. The Topaz monument is located at 10750 West 4500 North, Delta, UT – Please enter this address into your GPS instead of simply typing “Topaz.”

Please review and observe the Historic Site Visit Rules

View of the Topaz Camp site

Looking northwest near the administration area, you will see a small rock wall that decorated the entrance.

Site of the Topaz Camp in the Utah desert.
West toward Mt. Swasey with the Drum Mountains to the north.

Site of the Topaz Camp in the Utah desert.
Scraps of wood and metal remain at the site.

Debris in a desert setting
West toward Mt. Swasey with the Drum Mountains to the north.

Debris in a desert setting
Scraps of wood and metal remain at the site.

Sheetrock at the Topaz Camp site
Sheetrock was used to fill the gaps between the ground and the buildings on the outside of the barracks. Some “lines” of the sheetrock remain to mark the exact location of barracks.

Rocks that were used to make gardens at the Topaz site.
All the rocks used to make gardens had to be hauled into camp from the mountains.

Former garden site at the Topaz Camp site.
This garden had two sunken barrels in the bottom and was outlined with rocks and cement.

Guard tower footings at the Topaz Camp site.
Guard tower footings.

Topaz monument at the Topaz Camp Site
Topaz monument.

Topaz monument detail.
Topaz monument detail.

Topaz Museum exterior

Photo: Brian Buroker

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