Biking in Gunlock State Park

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Be sure to take your bike with you when you visit Gunlock Lake State Park in southern Utah. It's a fun place to ride and explore.

The Desert Collared Lizard

This lizard is just soaking up the rays of the sun as it lays on a rock this windy spring day in early May at Gunlock State Park.

Nothin' like a Good Campfire

First Morning at Gunlock state park

Hiking along Gunlock Lake

The lake is a wonderful place to hike as there are dirt roads and paths along the eastern side of the water. It’s a pleasure to walk these trails as the entire surrounding area is quite scenic. You’ll be glad that you decided to take a camera as there is so much to see in the area. Perhaps you catch a glimpse of the white herons as we did.

The surrounding mountains are comprised of a redish orange sandstone along with igneous rock left over from the long ago days of the volcanoes. This spring as you hike you'll find variety of green colored desert plants and a scattering of blooming wildflowers due to the recent winter snows and spring rains.

While hiking make sure to take in the walk along the earthen dam on the lake’s south end. As you walk along the dam’s top you’ll be amazed as you look the the winding valley below the dam where the road trails into the distance and the various mountain bases converge to shape this valley. The overflow of the dam forms a small river that snakes back and forth as it feeds the surrounding trees and grasses.

As you gaze to the north towards the village of Gunlock you will witness the blue waters of the lake which extends for a mile. On a calm day the lake reflects like a mirror.

The Scenery is hard to beat

Gunlock Lake's waters are aquamarine while the sky is definitely sky blue with the whitest of white clouds. The redish orange sands nicely contrast the green of the desert shrubbery.
One nice thing about this area is the fact that you can see for quite a distance in many directions. It gives one a feeling of limitless boundaries and the urge to explore. As you experience these surroundings you will find mallards and white herons on the water as well as collared lizards and ground squirrels on land.  In the early morning or late evening you may even turn you head to the coyote’s call.

The Campsite

It’s a great feeling to find a spot to pull into and call home for a while in our 34' Itasca. Simply find a level spot and put the leveling jacks down and extend the pop-outs. Look out the windows and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Better yet open the door and windows and soak in the fresh air. It’ll make you want to get out and explore beautiful southern Utah.