Gunlock State Park and the Gunlock Falls
Gunlock Falls: spectacular when it runs, and most years it does not. How the reservoir spill works and when to check.
Gunlock Falls is the most photographed waterfall in the region and the most disappointing trip in it, depending entirely on one thing: whether the reservoir is spilling.
It is not a permanent waterfall
This is the fact that catches almost everyone. Gunlock Falls exists because Gunlock Reservoir overtops its dam and spills over the rock below. When the reservoir is not full, there is no waterfall — just dry rock.
That happens only in wet years, and typically in spring, when snowmelt and rain fill the reservoir past capacity. In a dry year it may not flow at all.
Check before driving out. Local news and the state parks system report it when it runs, and word travels fast because it is a genuine event rather than a fixture. Going on the assumption that a waterfall marked on a map will be there is how people waste an afternoon.
When it does run
It is worth the trip. Water pours over broad terraces of red rock into pools below, and the contrast of volume and desert is startling.
It also becomes extremely busy, precisely because it is rare and everyone hears at once. Expect company, limited parking and a queue of cars on a narrow road.
Safety when it is flowing
Moving water over smooth rock is more dangerous than it looks:
- Wet sandstone is slippery, and the terraces slope toward the drops.
- Currents in the pools are stronger than they appear, and there have been serious incidents here.
- Keep well back from the lip, and keep children within reach rather than within sight.
This is a place to look at rather than climb around on when it is in flood.
The rest of the year
Even without the falls, Gunlock State Park is a pleasant reservoir for fishing and boating in quiet country northwest of St. George, and the drive out through Veyo and the volcanic landscape is worthwhile in its own right.
Practical
- The drive is about forty minutes from St. George on a winding road.
- Facilities are limited. Bring what you need.
- No shade to speak of. See desert hiking safety.
- Do not plan a trip around it without confirming the spill — that is the entire lesson of this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gunlock Falls always flowing?
No, and this is the single most important thing to know. The falls exist only when Gunlock Reservoir fills past capacity and spills over the rock below, which happens in wet years and typically in spring. In a dry year it may not flow at all. Check before driving out — local news and the state parks system report it when it runs, because it is a genuine event rather than a permanent feature.
Is it safe to swim at the falls?
Treat it with real caution when it is flowing. Wet sandstone is slippery and the terraces slope toward the drops, currents in the pools are stronger than they appear, and there have been serious incidents here. Keep well back from the lip and keep children within reach rather than within sight. When the falls are in full flow it is a place to look at rather than climb around on.
What is there to do when the falls are not running?
Gunlock State Park itself remains a pleasant reservoir for fishing and boating in quiet country northwest of St. George, and the drive out through Veyo and the volcanic landscape is worthwhile on its own. It is about forty minutes from town on a winding road, with limited facilities, so bring what you need and treat it as a quiet outing rather than a destination.