Gunlock Reservoir photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Gunlock State Park is home to Gunlock Reservoir, a 266-acre reservoir. The park is located approximately 15 miles northwest of St George. It is a primitive area and there are no facilities aside from bathrooms. The park offers camping, swimming, boating, and fishing.  There are view points over the reservoir at the damn, from the campgrounds, and several spots near the inlet.  A scope is useful for scanning the lake.  There are some trees around the reservoir, but it is mostly arid hillsides.  From the inlet up river along the Santa Clara river is excellent riparian habitat.  Below the dam the Santa Clara River also provides excellent riparian habitat as well.  Desert/Black willow and Fremont Cottonwood are the primary deciduous tree types present.

Birding:
The reservoir is used by migrant waterfowl and diving birds and can be fairly productive at the right time.  There are often numerous COMMON LOON on the water in late March and November.  As of recent years there have been free flying MUTE SWAN present near the inlet quite often.  Occasionally LONG-TAILED DUCK and Scoters show up during the winter months. In 2003 a REDDISH EGRET spent about a month at the lake.  Various shorebirds may be present in spring and fall and there is a record for RED PHALAROPE here as well.  SABINE'S GULL occasionally use the waterway during fall migration.  The riparian area above the reservoir is known for nesting COMMON BLACK-HAWKS, SUMMER TANAGER, LUCY'S WARBLER and has had BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER.  The riparian stretch below the dam also hosts some of the same species as above and acts as a decent migrant trap during migration.  The arid hillsides around the reservoir are inhabited by BLACK-THROATED SPARROW and more notably, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW.  The canyon walls play host to both CANYON and ROCK WREN, as well as WHITE-THROATED SWIFT.  During spring migration in early May, VAUX'S SWIFTS have been observed over the dam on multiple occasions.

Directions:
From I-15 in St. George, take exit 6 at Bluff Street and go north 3 miles to Sunset Boulevard.  Turn left and stay on Hwy 91 for 11 miles to the fork.  Take the right fork and go another 5.3 miles to the state park, which will be on your left.