GUNLOCK STATE PARK
In scenic red rock country, 15 miles northwest of sunny St. George lies the 240-acre Gunlock Reservoir where year-round boating, water sports and quality fishing for bass and catfish attract visitors. Facilities include boat launching ramp and pit privies.
The name Gunlock is the same as the small farming community one mile to the north. William Haynes Hamblin (nicknamed Will or Bill), a Mormon pioneer born in Ohio, settled in the present area of the lake in 1857. Gunlock Will was a good hunter and sharpshooter, and was skillful in repairing gunlocks, which are the firing mechanisms for muzzleloaders.
His brother, Jacob Hamblin, was actually the more well known of the two. He was a Mormon settler and a missionary to the Indians of southern Utah and northern Arizona, particularly the Shivwits tribe of the Paiute Indians, who still live in this area.
The county road to the park is the Old Spanish Trail used by horsemen and raiders from Sante Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles from the 1820 s until the gold fields became the destination after 1849 and a shorter route was taken.
A sparkling blue lake is rimmed with ponderosa pines, and a string of campgrounds follows the beginnings of the river to road?s end.
Gunlock Reservoir dam was constructed in 1970 for irrigation water and flood control.
Day-UseFishingyes
Picnickingyes
1. Gunlock State Park offers a reservoir for swimming, popular during the summer months.
2. The park doesn't provide lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
3. Swimming is allowed throughout most of the reservoir except near boat ramps and docks.
4. Waterfalls sometimes form in spring or early summer providing unique natural pools to swim in but can be dangerous too.
5. There are no designated swimming areas so visitors can choose their preferred spot within safety guidelines provided by the park management.
6. The water temperature varies seasonally, with warmer temperatures from June through September ideal for swimmers.
Located in Utah, the park offers fishing opportunities on Gunlock Reservoir. Anglers can catch largemouth bass and bluegill. Other species include crappie, catfish, and rainbow trout. The reservoir is accessible year-round for shoreline or boat fishing.