Gunlock Campground Access

Total Miles
3.5

Elevation

1,156.96 ft

Duration

0.5 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer

Trail Overview

This trail gives you access to the Gunlock Campground, which has some wonderful tent sites, as well as access to the backside of Gunlock Falls away from the crowds. We crossed the Santa Clara River in April, and it was pretty deep but manageable. Water came onto the hoods of our CanAms and Razors. From the River, this trail wanders for 3.5 miles up through some fantastic landscape. Sand, rocks, hills and washes. This is open range BLM land, so there will be cattle in the area. The views of Square Top Mountain to the north and Red Mountain Wilderness to the south are fantastic. From this trail you can also access a LOT of trails around West Mountain Peak and in Doc's Pass Wilderness. We staged at a wide spot along Gunlock Road. In February of 2023 Utah began enforcement of a new law, which requires an online education course for all off-roaders. The free course is available online. Google "Utah OHV Education Course," and the free test will pop up. It's an easy test that will only take 15-30 minutes, and it's required for all off-roaders, Jeeps, SXSs, dirt bikes, ATVs. Kids under the age of 18 will have to take the Youth Education Test at the same site. After completing the test, print out the certificate to carry with you which shows you completed the course. We have taken it, and it's really no big deal. Good reminders about trail etiquette and trail preservation.

Photos of Gunlock Campground Access

Gunlock Campground Access
Gunlock Campground Access

Difficulty

The trail is rated as a 3, but in the spring, if the runoff is strong, the river crossing will be 3-4 feet deep.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Andrew Devlin
Sep 14, 2023
4x4
Obstructed
Washout

Access Description

From St. George, UT, take Old Highway 91 towards Shivwits and the Paiute Reservation. Take a right on Gunlock Road, and find the trail head from there. You can stage in a lot of places along Gunlock Road.

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