Gunnison, Utah travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

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.

1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Gunnison

The Arapeen ATV Trail System

350-mile Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Jun, Sep. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Delta)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
PVU Provo Municipal Airport, Provo — 74 mi away. Directions
SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 113 mi away (major hub). Directions

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.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

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.