2008ish maybe? The camp sites are all within a short, easy walk from the water. However, the most unique part of this park is the waterfall; the reservoir’s overflow makes use of the natural formations surrounding the edge, creating waterfalls and pools when the water level is too high. I understand that it’s rare to see water coming over them like that. There are endless places to explore while there. I regretted not being in myself as the water was cold and refreshing and it was hot out. Greater Zion State Parks. You can either park at the parking lot of the state park past the guard station and then it’s an easy walk to the south end of the reservoir (probably around .2 mile) so you can view the falls from the top, or before you get to the state park entrance you’ll see all the cars parked along the side of the road, you can park there. It is a pretty little reservoir popular for boating and other water sports. I agree, (Be sure to check website before going) Fee: $10 per car, $5 if you are a senior. Crazy to see that in the desert. There are vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables and a boat launch. The Amazing Waterfalls of Gunlock State Park, So grab yo kids, grab yo wife, and grab yo husband. Please only take your dog if it does well with crowds, is friendly, and keep it on a leash. This is a place where many people had been hurt by slipping or being taken by the current, so be careful. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! At night, … This is a dog-friendly excursion, so you will see puppers having their best day ever all over the place. Be sure to check out shehikesutah.com for more hikes! If you like exploring you could easily spend all day here. Do research before you go to make sure they are actually there! I’m Amanda, and I like long walks through the desert and hanging out with my fur child, Winky. Please remember that the falls are part of the park and are in a fee area. Gunlock Reservoir is secluded and sits in a natural bowl along the Santa Clara River west of St George, UT. Jul 4, 2014 - A re-edit from last year... now looks a little more like how I viewed the falls here at Gunlock Reservoir near St George, Utah Hike on sandstone cliffs that make you feel like Spiderman and will have you looking over your shoulders for dinosaurs. Park Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Daily. Seriously. $2 for walk-ins. I always reference the top platform at Lava Hot Springs, which is 33 feet. Travel Destinations. There are a few steep areas, but with decent shoes and the ability to... Other hotspots in the area seem to diminish this one. Lots of people were there to see the sight. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Nov-Dec the boat ramp will be open Friday Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 6 PM. If you don’t care about getting your feet wet this bridge will be no obstacle at all for you. There are 4 moderate trails in Gunlock ranging from 2.3 to 41.6 miles and from 3,467 to 6,158 feet above sea level. So grab yo kids, grab yo wife, and grab yo husband, because everyone’s gonna wanna get out here! The park is managed by the Utah DNR with a day use fee and camping is currently $13 a night. This is a great little hike. One of the main reasons to visit Gunlock State Park in Washington County is being suspended by state park officials. With a mild winter climate, Gunlock State Park can be visited all year long and is surrounded by the red sandstone and lava rock mountains, which makes for beautiful scenery while you enjoy boating, camping, and fishing. Without facilities, but quiet and at the shore. The Amazing Waterfalls of Gunlock State Park. Somebody I asked said it was a little rougher going in that way. I’ve lived in Southern Utah for 15 years and absolutely love it here. Gunlock was first settled in 1857 by William "Gunlock Will" Hamblin, a pioneer settler and brother of Jacob Hamblin. Spent a leisurely morning exploring a few of the wonderful State Parks and scenic reservoirs near St. George, UT. Upload your photo by clicking the “ Yes! By this point the students energy level climaxes and the teachers energy level bottoms out. State Parks in Utah often get overlooked because of the famous “Mighty 5” National Parks (Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Arches) but Some of the best scenery and recreation in the country can be found in Greater Zion, specifically in the four state parks that span our landscape.Each park provides its own brand of outdoor recreation. It is not safe to enter, you will be swept away and die, or at the very least be badly maimed. In fact, they usually are not. Well worth it if water is flowing. Have you been to the Gunlock State Park waterfalls before? Sep-Oct the ramp hours go to 8 AM to 6 PM. Features. From where I parked it was still about a seven minute walk to the falls. As long as you have some … Feb 17, 2013 - Part 4: Gunlock Waterfalls and Pools On Old Hwy 91, about 15 miles outside of St. George and about 5 miles past Kayenta, lies an amazing collage of red rock cliffs, moss covered rocks, rivers, streams, Explore. If you like hiking on slickrock this is the place to go. There was a pull off area on the road just before the state park where people were pulling in and hiking in for free. read more. Ask RandomTraveler76 about Gunlock State Park, Hotels near (SGU) Saint George Municipal Airport, Hotels near Skin Institute School-Esthetic. There is a long gravel stretch perfect for parking along the road right by the falls, and it is a very short hike from your car to falls. Article from kayentautah.com. If the area were to receive an unusually high amount of rainfall, I supposed they could occur at other times, but due to the reservoir being used for irrigation, this is unlikely. This is when I learned the sad truth: these falls only come out to play when the area has received a high level of snow and rain and being that it’s in the desert, the falls don’t happen all that often. My Drone Videos My GoPro Videos My Trip Reports. The amount of water coming over the falls fluctuates, year to year, day by day. The Washington County Water Conservancy District, which manages the reservoir, released water from the base of … This was before the age of instant information and social media, so other than our group there were only a few others around. On a hot summer day, what better way to cool off than to jump into these refreshing natural pools. It was really cool and people were in the water. Once you get to the water tho, the rocks can and will be very slippery so shoes are a better option. The Gunlock Falls on the southern end of the reservoir can be stunning in the spring. The Vortex. Part 4: Gunlock Waterfalls and Pools On Old Hwy 91, about 15 miles outside of St. George and about 5 miles past Kayenta, lies an amazing collage of red rock cliffs, moss covered rocks, rivers, streams, mint green colored pools, and waterfalls. Utah .. I’ve only ever heard of these falls occurring in the spring, as most of the water is snowmelt. Wife and I enjoyed a very relaxing and quiet afternoon on the lake with great views, an easy launch point, and clear cool waters, making for a perfect complement to the 104 weather. https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/gunlock/, Ogden River Parkway - Centennial Trail - BEGINING TO END, Bathroom remodel on a budget - with Miracle Method, OneClick Services - Affordable carpet cleaning and more, Trackline Bike Park - Ogden's NEWEST bike park, Porcupine Reservoir Kokanee Salmon Run - The best Spot. Hope to see you on the trail! Most days the area is just a lackluster pile of dusty sand and rocks. Very beautiful. We found a little pool to rock jump from. Boat Ramp: May thru Labor Day the ramp is open every day 7 am – 8 pm. Nearby there is a lake and beach area. If the water is coming in hot, be careful. Trek Challenge: Prove that you have been to Gunlock Waterfalls! Travel. I parked in the fee area which was $10. Scenic delights near St. George Part I: Gunlock State Park and Ivins’ Reservoir. Show more. Directions. Hours & Info. During a visit to the site later that year George Albert Smith (an LDS Church general authority) named the community in honor of its first settler. This is a rare event and worth seeing. Especially the last week! I'm sorry but I don't believe that bottom fall at Gunlock is 60 feet. If I’m not out on an adventure you’ll probably find me in the kitchen making a ridiculously elaborate meal for myself. We were lucky and was near the area we were staying to visit and we had fun. Gaging when to go can be tricky, … You can park in the free lot just before the actual park entrance and hike. Parking is directly off the road and just a short 5-10 minute walk/hike later, you will be at the falls. It is a favorite in Southern Utah and while you’re driving to the park you are on what used to be the Old Spanish Trail that was used from Sante Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles from the 1820’s … views hiking nature-trips. There are a few steep areas, but with decent shoes and the ability to tolerate moderate exercise, it is a "can do" for most people. There are a few steep areas, but with decent shoes and the ability to... We drove by Gunlock reservoir without planning to go there. Gunlock Reservoir and Falls –Gunlock Reservoir is usually open for lakeside strolling, canoeing, and swimming, a nice contrast to the otherwise desert terrain. It's possible the complete distance from top to bottom of the rambling falls is 60 feet, but not the 1 jump. It offers good fishing at times, particularly for largemouth bass and channel catfish. Distance: 5.5 … According to park manager Jon Allred, the last time Gunlock State Park enjoyed these waterfalls was seven years ago, and they won't last for long. Let me know in the comments, I want to know what you thought about them! These waterfalls are a remarkable sight and are much more impressive in person than in pictures. Bring good hiking shoes, BE PREPARED. The Falls flow best during the spring, but some years are better than others. But you know what, I didn’t even mind, because it was mostly young families, and you know those kids will never forget the experience. Gunlock Reservoir is located in the scenic red rock country of southwestern Utah. Although not recommended, many people were wearing sandals and they still made it. read more, We drove by Gunlock reservoir without planning to go there. Several years can pass between showings of the waterfalls; but when the stars align, the heavens open, and the dam overfloweth, the waterworks begin. The waterfalls at Gunlock State Park are active and are very impressive. This is a great little hike. You can pay by envelope at an iron ranger or pay a park employee to receive a day pass to enjoy the falls. There are several trails leading from the parking lot, they all funnel you into the same place, so take whichever one is closest to your car. June 2, 2019 August 24, 2019 livevigorously. If verified, you will receive a badge on your user page and you will rank up and could win awesome prizes like tents, backpacks, jackets, and more! The full Red Reef Trail is about 6 miles out and back, but most people just hike to the falls and swimming hole that can be found a little less than one mile up the trail. Where: South end of the Gunlock State Park Reservoir, When: Spring is likely to be your best bet, but no guarantees, Difficulty: Relatively easy. This is truly a beautiful area just east of Gunlock, Utah. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. It's nice to look off to the left (as... As stated earlier, there is a fee to park in the park, however, I honestly didn’t know about the fee until I started doing research for this post. Although it is not far from St George, it has the feel of being out on its own, and wild. Gunlock Falls are located on the south end of the reservoir. So.many.people. We had all the adults and kids jumping. Gunlock State Park (May 6, 2020) — The waterfalls at Gunlock State Park have ceased to flow due to an operational modification of Gunlock Reservoir requested by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. The following morning we had coffee while the were playing on the beach and afterwards we rented kayaks to go on the lake. Depending on the year, they can be gushing or not running at all. This is a popular hike in the spring when the weather warms up and the runoff creates pools and streams to play in. Gunlock State Park is located in the tiny southern Utah town of Gunlock, about 35 minutes northwest of St. George, Utah. The most difficult part of the trail is crossing a creek on a makeshift bridge. Needless to say, we never found them. We watched our kids, were careful and had a great time. The park is open from 7 am to 9 pm daily. I could be wrong, of course. There are some steep hills to climb, and a little scrambling if you choose, but nothing too strenuous, More information available at Gunlock Falls, This site uses cookies. We loved it, really worth a visit. Because of their massive size, it’s hard to capture their full beauty, you just have to see them believe them. 5 Fun Hiking Activities to Try with Your Kids This Fall Fall is a fantastic time for hiking: the weather’s cooler, the foliage is beautiful, and wildlife sighting opportunities abound. At the top of the trail, you'll be rewarded by a great little waterfall and nice views. © 2020 The Salt Project, All rights reserved. All the trails lead you down a steep hill, but judging by how many young children and elderly folks I saw out there the other day, I believe most of you won’t have a problem navigating it. I’d say hike is intermediate but not super long. Gunlock Stake Park hasn’t been flowing with water like it was when we were there for about a decade. This makes… No trails with fences and everything, but just nature. The way we like it. You will have to go down a hill after you park and walk through sand and rocks, it is an easy hike. As the weather dries up and local farmers start drawing from the reservoir for irrigation, its water levels will go back down and the waterfalls will disappear once again. Spring would be your best bet, but it all depends on how large the snowpack is, how much rain has fallen, if Ashley I. is crying again {girl, I love you, can we please be friends?}. North America Travel. Avoid a citation. We'd been to Bryce, Zion and Snow canyon so to find this little hidden spot that wasn't totally commercialized, was special. Most who visit the falls only do so for a couple of hours, but if you want to make a trip of it there are campground and restroom facilities nearby. So I didn’t pay, and I didn’t get caught. May 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. According to Utah State Parks spokesman Eugene Swalberg, a man in his 40s fell from the top of the falls, sustaining a back injury. 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