About this city
Also known as: Gunlock Village
Gunlock is a scenic, small unincorporated agricultural community located in northern Washington County, nestled along the Santa Clara River in the picturesque red rock foothills of southwestern Utah. Settled in 1857 by Mormon pioneer William 'Gunlock' Hamblin—a skilled gunsmith whose sharpshooting nickname gave the settlement its title—the village historically focused on fruit orchards, alfalfa farming, and cattle ranching. Surrounded by dramatic volcanic cinder cones, sandstone bluffs, and desert flora, Gunlock is best known for its tranquil reservoir and state park, offering a peaceful, rural escape from the rapidly developing urban areas of nearby St. George.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1 day
Swim, boat, or fish for bass and crappie in the sapphire-blue waters of Gunlock Reservoir. Witness the rare and spectacular Gunlock Falls, a roaring desert cascade created only during high spring runoff when the reservoir overflows. Hike through the red and orange slickrock valleys surrounding the state park, or enjoy a secluded rustic picnic beneath the cottonwood trees.
