Home Care In Gunlock, UT

GUNLOCK, Utah (ABC4) — For the second year in a row, rushing water from mountain snowmelt was flowing through the red sandstone chutes of Gunlock Falls in southwestern Utah.

“Having it not only as often as we’ve seen it in recent years, but two back-to-back years, is a very big deal, especially this early in the season,” said Devan Chavez, a spokesperson with Utah State Parks.

He described the falls as a “very rare” amenity for Gunlock State Park, which is located roughly 20 miles northwest of St. George. The falls are a spillway for Gunlock Reservoir, flowing into the Santa Clara River.

Last year was a record snow year across Utah, so it wasn’t a surprise that the falls were flowing come springtime. The rushing waters helped bring more than 269,000 visitors to the park.

“Water does drive visitation, and having a good water year means a good outdoor recreation year for Utah parks,” Chavez said.

Earlier this month, unseasonably warm temperatures in the nearby Pine Valley Mountains led to the reservoir overflowing, with snowmelt washing into the Santa Clara River, which feeds into the reservoir.

Sam Hudson, a geology professor at Brigham Young University, said the flow on the Santa Clara was high last week, averaging about 36 cubic feet per second. For comparison, the river only averages about 5 cubic feet per second during the summer months.

“There’s two ways you get high flow in a desert stream like this. One is like what happens in August, flash floods, thunderstorms, you get flows of 1,000 cubic feet per second on the Santa Clara River sometimes,” he said. “The other is because we are unique and we are in a high desert, we also have a lot of snowpack that influences it.”

Recently, the Santa Clara’s flow was the highest on Feb. 9, and it stayed high until Monday, Hudson said. Since then it’s been on the downflow. On Friday, the falls were but a trickle.

The professor noted that this recent warm weather in the southern mountains — and subsequent snowmelt spilling out of the reservoir — doesn’t indicate what kind of spring there will be in southern Utah.

“Some years you have an early melt that’s quick and then you slowly taper off, and some years it hangs on forever and all releases at once,” Hudson said. “It’s hard to predict.”

Safety at the falls

While park-goers can hike around the rocks at the base of the falls, they are advised to be wary of slick, wet surfaces.

“The area over there is very slick, very slippery and can be very, very dangerous,” Chavez said.

Access to the state park is $10 for a vehicle day pass for Utah residents. Other water activities available at the park include boating, fishing and kayaking.

As spring runoff accelerates, it will likely bring down debris, including tree limbs, rocks and dirt, which will accumulate near the top of the dam and spillway. Debris flow presents safety hazards for park visitors and the dam. If debris accumulates, crews will remove it as quickly as possible, which will require visitors to stay clear of the area. The falls will still be viewable, but visitors will not be allowed in the immediate area until work concludes.

Debris flow could occur throughout the season. Follow Gunlock State Park’s official Facebook page and website for updates.

March 13, 2023

GUNLOCK, Utah — The stunning waterfalls at Gunlock State Park are expected to flow this spring. These falls are a rare sight to behold, having occurred only a handful of times within the last decade.

The waterfalls are part of a spillway and flow when the reservoir reaches capacity. When the reservoir fills quickly, the additional water flows over the dam and spills down the cliffside, creating waterfalls. The water then flows down the Santa Clara River, where it joins the Virgin River. While the waterfalls have not yet started, the increasing water level indicates they are likely to begin flowing this month.

“We invite visitors to enjoy this wonderful experience, but want to remind the public to exercise vigilance and safety in the area,” Gunlock State Park Manager Jon Allred said. “There is inherent risk when recreating outdoors, so safety and situational awareness are paramount.”

While the responsibility rests with individuals and families to use discretion and to recreate safely, Gunlock State Park staff have posted caution signs along trails and on the dam reminding visitors of the hazards. Park staff and rangers will also patrol the area more often to engage with visitors.

Recreating on the rocks near the waterfalls is dangerous. Rocks are slick, water is swift, and covered hazards exist in the pools. We strongly encourage visitors to use caution and be observant in the area.

Because of the waterfall’s popularity, there is a chance that the park will reach its visitor capacity. Once this happens, additional visitors will not be admitted until it is back under capacity. We recommend checking the Gunlock State Park website and Facebook page before getting on the road, as capacity closures will be posted there if applicable.

We are also increasing traffic measures and enforcement in the area to help mitigate congestion. Parking near the falls and within the state park will be restricted to designated parking areas only and limited to the west side of the road along Gunlock Road. Please utilize the appropriate pay station to pay your entrance fee. Utah State Parks annual day-use passes are accepted.

Visitors are also asked to continue utilizing the appropriate park amenities — such as trash cans and restrooms. Please recreate responsibly by cleaning up after yourself, respecting others around you, and following safety precautions.

Learn More About Gunlock State Park!

ST. GEORGE — Emergency responders were busy Saturday at two separate incidents when two people fell from the cliffs at Gunlock Falls and needed airlift rescues due to serious injuries.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Paul told St. George News they have been “slammed” over the weekend with emergency calls for rescue services.

The first incident occurred at 11:15 a.m. involving a 43-year-old male hiking by the edge of the falls when he fell, Paul told St. George News.

“I am not sure if he lost his footing and fell or what, but he fell off the cliff,” he said.

The man fell about 25-30 ft. into the water below, hitting the rock face on the way down.

Bystanders were able to get the man to the shore. A nearby nurse came to aid until emergency responders arrived on the scene.

Paul said the patient was transported by airlift to St. George Regional Hospital with two broken legs and a possible broken jaw.

The second incident involved an 18-year-old woman cliff-jumping with a group of friends near the falls at Gunlock Reservoir. The woman reportedly jumped from a 50 ft. cliff.

Paul stated she either landed in shallow water, or hit rocks hidden by the water, with the end result being a “probable broken femur.”

“For that one, she was in an area that was really difficult,” Paul said.

The Utah Department of Public Safety Star-9 helicopter was dispatched and Washington County Search and Rescue performed a hoist rescue. The patient then was transported by helicopter to St. George Regional Hospital.

“People just need to be cautious and careful while at Gunlock Falls,” Paul noted.

He reminded those seeking the outdoors to prepare properly and take precautions, as they have been “slammed” with calls for assistance.

Other agencies responding to incidents at Gunlock Falls included Gunlock Fire Department, Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue, Utah State Parks and Santa Clara – Ivins Fire and Rescue.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

With such a snowy winter for most of Utah, it’s no surprise that the falls at Gunlock State Park are flowing this year! These rare seasonal waterfalls only form when runoff spills over the dam.

The waterfalls create a stunning contrast with the arid desert environment and attract a lot of photographers and sightseers. However, they also pose some potential hazards that you should keep in mind. Here are five helpful tips for your visit:

1. Be Aware. The water flowing over the dam is swift and powerful, and it can carry large debris such as tree limbs, rocks and dirt. The debris can injure or trap anyone who gets too close to the edge. Additionally, the rocks around the falls are slippery and uneven, making it easy to fall or twist an ankle. Recreating on the rocks near the waterfalls is dangerous, and covered hazards exist in the pools. We strongly encourage you to use caution and be observant in the area. Keep a safe distance from the falls.

2. Check Park Conditions Before You Leave. The waterfalls are not always present at Gunlock State Park; they depend on snowmelt and weather conditions. Due to high amounts of runoff this season, debris may accumulate near the top of the falls. This debris presents safety hazards for park visitors and the dam. When this happens, crews will actively work to remove the debris as quickly as possible. During this time, you will not be allowed in the immediate area until work concludes, but you can still view the falls from a safe distance.

Also, because of the waterfall’s popularity, there is a chance that the park will reach capacity. Once this happens, additional visitors will not be admitted until it is back under capacity. To avoid disappointment, check Gunlock State Park’s Waterfall Watch on Facebook before planning your trip to see if the falls are flowing or if there are any advisories.

3. Recreate Responsibly. Gunlock State Park has several amenities for you to use during your stay. Please recreate responsibly by cleaning up after yourself, utilizing the restroom and trash facilities, keeping animals leashed, respecting others, and following appropriate safety precautions.

4. Bring the Right Gear. To help ensure a more comfortable and safe visit, we recommend wearing sturdy footwear and bringing essential items such as sunscreen, hats, jackets, sunglasses, and water bottles. These items will help protect you from the elements, making your experience more enjoyable.

5. Explore Gunlock and Other Nearby Parks. Visiting the falls is not the only fun thing to do at Gunlock State Park; there are so many other activities and attractions to discover. You can rent kayaks and explore the reservoir; fish from the shore or boat; hike along trails that offer scenic views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains; camp at one of the primitive sites along the shoreline; or visit nearby state parks like Snow Canyon, Quail Creek or Sand Hollow.

Gunlock State Park is a great place to experience nature’s beauty and diversity, and the falls are a rare sight to behold. While the responsibility rests with individuals and families to use discretion and to recreate safely, Gunlock State Park staff have posted caution signs along trails and on the dam reminding visitors of the hazards. Park staff and rangers will also patrol the area more often to engage with visitors. We strongly encourage families to use caution and be observant in the area. By following these tips, we hope you safely enjoy the falls and have an unforgettable time.

GUNLOCK STATE PARK — Have you heard the buzz about the new campground at Gunlock? That’s right, more places to camp! You can even reserve them online now—but don’t you want to hear all about them first?

On June 8, 2022, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted at the park to celebrate the opening of the campground, which features a total of 30 standard sites that allow travelers in tents, RVs, and trailers. Each site has 20, 30, and 50 amp power, a pedestal, and water. There is also a dump station available.

“The beauty of Gunlock is in the memories you can create here with your family and friends,” said Gunlock State Park Manger Jon Allred in his remarks. “This campground is more than just sites, pedestals, water, sewer, and things—it’s memories! And for generations to come, people will talk about coming to Gunlock and camping.”

Jeff Rasmussen, Director of the Utah Division of State Parks, began his speech by offering thanks to legislators.

“The legislature got the funding to State Parks to be able to make this happen,” he said. “They’ve seen the demands of people wanting to get out and recreate. They came with the resources to be able to do things—like this campground—that we’ve needed to do for a long time.”

He also emphasized how important local partnerships are in making projects like this come to fruition.

“We couldn’t do any of this without all of the partners that we have,” Rasmussen said.

Utah State Parks, the Utah State Legislature, and local communities work together to expand and improve our beautiful state parks. The new campground at Gunlock State Park is an exciting improvement for park visitors, but projects like this one also help to energize local economies. Visitors to state parks often stay at local hotels, eat at restaurants, and frequent stores and gas stations. The improvement and expansion of park amenities also create jobs for contractors, park staff, private concessionaires, and more. There are currently 14 similar projects underway at several other parks across the state.

Gunlock previously offered access to only five primitive campsites with vault toilets and no potable water. Now, in addition to the new hookups for drinking water and electricity, each site has a fire pit, a picnic table, and access to a restroom building with private showers and flush toilets. If you haven’t been to Gunlock State Park lately, it sounds like it’s time for a visit!

Watch the video below for highlights of the ceremony.