Rare Waterfall Phenomenon Is Happening Right Now at This Popular National Park

Spring break is just around the corner, but if you wait until then, it just might be too late to experience a rare phenomenon in all its beauty.

Gunlock State Park in Greater Zion, just outside of St. George, Utah, is the site of a rare waterfall happening right now due to an unexpected spring runoff.

This Phenomenon Is So Rare ...

The waterfall there is so rare that this is only the fourth time in the last 15 years that the reservoir has exceeded capacity and spilled over onto the red rock ledges below.

At this point, it's unclear how long the rarity will last. Perhaps only Mother Nature knows, but visitors will find a cascading series of picturesque waterfalls in the normally quiet desert.

Officials Issue Warning

Reports say that thousands of visitors are beelining it to Gunlock State Park to witness the waterfall's beauty. But that kind of attention is cause for concern.

"Right now has become a busy time," said Northwest Fire and Rescue Chief Charley Guthrie, via Utah's KSL. "The falls are running ... which is absolutely a beautiful thing, but it's bittersweet for us. We love it, but we get a lot of people, and we can get some injuries out here that can be kind of problematic."

He added, "The biggest thing we see are people who don't get out here with appropriate shoes and twist an ankle. Between that and the people who jump, it can get really problematic. ... It's sandstone, but it's also referred to as slickrock. It's called that for a reason. If it gets wet, it gets really, really slick."

What Else Is There To Do in Greater Zion?

For those who visit and don't find the waterfalls anymore, there are still plenty of options to keep you active.

Just outside of Gunlock State Park, travelers can explore Zion National Park and other nearby state parks, including guided ATV tours of the dunes at  Sand Hollow State Park , or hiking at Snow Canyon State Park.

You can also enjoy golf at one of the 14 courses within a 20-mile radius by day, and go stargazing by night.