GUNLOCK KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Tandem Kayaks Through Gunlock’s Secret Waterways: Swimming Holes, Waterfalls and Petroglyph Alcoves
A focused, 2-hour tandem-kayak eco-tour that threads Gunlock State Park’s swimming holes, seasonal waterfalls, sandstone islands and caves—this guide explains what to expect and what to bring.
Tandem Kayaks Through Gunlock’s Secret Waterways: Swimming Holes, Waterfalls and Petroglyph Alcoves.
Gunlock State Park compresses desert clarity and sudden water into a compact, startling landscape. On the Tandem Kayak Eco-Tour you paddle across sheltered beaches and into seasonal pockets of water, moving from sunlit sandstone islands to hidden alcoves and caves where petroglyphs and quiet stillness wait.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Swimming Holes & Seasonal Waterfalls
The tour visits a series of swimming holes and the famed seasonal waterfalls when water levels permit, offering immediate, splashable access to the park’s best aquatic features.
Sandstone Islands & Cliff-Jumping Spots
Paddle around sandstone islands and scope cliff-jumping spots framed by sheer desert cliffs—features the itinerary can include depending on conditions.
Caves, Alcoves & Petroglyphs
The route can take you into alcoves and caves where ancient markings and quiet shadowed spaces punctuate the paddle.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
In two hours you move between open, sun-drenched beach launches and intimate pockets of the park—brief orientation and equipment fitting give way to steady paddling, short swims, shoreline exploration and brief shoreside stops at alcoves or petroglyph sites when the water allows.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and the on-site requirements to know before you go.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The scheduled outing runs about 2 hours.
Wear a bathing suit or clothing you don’t mind getting wet; bring sun protection (hat, long sleeves if sensitive). Sunscreen and bottled water are available for purchase on site.
Check in at the rental location where staff will fit you for a vest and paddle, provide orientation, direct you to your craft on the beach, and will hold a valid government-issued ID while you are out (passports or military ID are acceptable).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The eco-tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear a bathing suit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet; bring sun protection such as a hat or long sleeves if you are sun-sensitive.
Do you sell sunscreen or water on site?
Yes—reef-safe sunscreen and bottled water are available for purchase.
Do I need to bring ID?
Yes—staff will hold a valid, current government-issued ID while you are out; passports or military ID are acceptable.
Will the route include waterfalls and petroglyphs?
The itinerary can include swimming holes, seasonal waterfalls, sandstone islands, alcoves, caves and petroglyphs, but specific stops depend on water levels.
Will I get instruction before launching?
Yes—staff will fit you for a vest and paddle and provide a brief orientation and instruction at check-in before directing you to your craft on the beach.