Gunnison is in Central Utah. Settled in spring 1859 by a group led by Bishop Jacob Hutchinson. It was directed and named by Brigham Young for Capt. John W. Gunnison, second in command of the Stansbury transcontinental railroad survey, who was killed by Paiutes near Sevier Lake, Oct. 26, 1853. It was also called Chalk Hill Point for the original site.
A second group's site near the San Pitch/Sevier River confluence farther west was colorfully called Hog's Wallow as well as Kearn's Camp for the bishop of this Springville group. During a fall visit in 1862 Young advised moving to the present site to escape the swampy conditions. Located on the lower San Pitch, there is less sense of slope and more plain than in other Sanpete towns.
Agriculture and irrigation have produced sugar beets, peas, cabbage and celery, and turkeys in the past. Today small grains and alfalfa, beef cattle and dairy products are still the heart of the valley's life.
Get in
The town of Gunnison is approximately 2 hours south of Salt Lake City. To get to Gunnison, Take I-15 Exit 222 at Nephi. Go south on Highway 28 until you reach Gunnison.
To get to Gunnison from the South take I-70 Exit 56 at Salina and follow Highway 89 north until you reach Gunnison.
Get around
See
Do
- The Arapeen ATV Trail System. 350-mile Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System.
- Palisade State Park – Golf, Fish, Swim, Canoe, Camp.
- Yuba Lake State Park – Waterski, Fish, and Camp.
Buy
Eat
- Five Star Drive Inn, 230 South Main St, +1 435 528-3366.
- Gunnison Thriftway Market, 520 South Main St, +1 435 528-3060.
- Lotsa Motsa Pizza, 157 South Main St, +1 435 528-3792.
- Shelle's Drive-In, 574 South Main St, +1 435 528-3456.
- Subway Sandwiches, 215 South Main St, +1 435 528-7669.
Drink
Sleep
- Country Paradise Motel, 395 South Main St, +1 435 528-7521.
- Gunnison Inn, 12 North Main St, +1 435 528-7840.