Joy Dannelly
Originally from the flatlands of Iowa, Joy currently lives in Moab and has grown to call the desert her home. She currently works for Grand County at the trails department as an outreach coordinator and has the opportunity to teach folks about the incredible desert ecosystem, rally volunteers and members of our community for service projects, and coordinate events in Moab.
Joy loves to overland and camp out of her 4runner; backpack and hike; “lizard” in the sunshine on a cool, running creek; and play a game of cribbage during a desert monsoon storm. Her other notable passions include bats, biocrust, her cat Kitcat, and potlucks with friends!
The outdoors helped shape the adult she would grow to be. Joy discovered backpacking and hiking in college when she went to the southwest for the first time. She was a bit lost at that time in her life, and she said she felt like she found a bit of her soul in the red rocks.
She ended up pivoting her career totally and decided that she wanted to be able to work outdoors every day. She finished school, guided in the Utah desert, worked in bat biology in the Midwest, and became a program director for a women’s outdoor company, guiding and creating hiking and nature programs for women across Iowa.
Needless to say, hiking and the outdoors has totally changed and reshaped Joy’s life for the better. Hiking helps her reset and connect to what she loves most – the outdoors!
Joy’s Favorite Hike: “My favorite hike has to be exploring in the Needles of Canyonlands, maybe through The Joint to Chesler Park. Some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the world in my opinion. A close second is Monica Meadows in British Columbia, also jaw dropping!”
Joy’s Favorite Drink: Something bitter or sour – an IPA, a margarita or a martini
Joy’s Favorite Hiking or Backpacking Gear: “Probably snacks! I always pack lots of jerky, cheese, crackers and olives to have a makeshift backcountry charcuterie board. If snacks don’t count as gear, I really love string lights for a bit of camp ambience.”
You can find Joy’s events and others here.