By Jon Crowley
Naming Cave near Gunlock, Utah, combines a rugged UTV ride with an on-foot visit to sandstone alcoves and Native American rock art. On our trip, we drove a 2025 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 1000 to the area and explored two separate stops identified here as Naming Cave and Birthing Cave.
The drive and the cave approaches require different preparation: a capable vehicle for the rocky roads, and sure footing for the sandstone scramble. Leave time to visit both sites without rushing.
Watch Our Naming Cave and Birthing Cave Ride
Where Is Naming Cave?
The caves are in the sandstone country west of Gunlock Reservoir in southwestern Utah. They are close together, but visiting one does not automatically take you through the other.
Online guides use the names inconsistently, sometimes referring to Naming Cave as Birthing Cave. This article retains the labels and coordinates from our original ride report to distinguish our two stops. The names alone do not establish how the caves were used historically, and a specific naming or birthing ceremony should not be treated as a confirmed fact without a reliable cultural or archaeological source.
A High-Clearance 4×4 or UTV Ride
Our Yamaha RMAX4 was well suited to the terrain. The graded-road portion was straightforward on our visit, but the route toward the caves became rocky enough that we were glad to be in a UTV.
If you bring a highway vehicle, use a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle and be prepared to turn around when the terrain exceeds its clearance or your comfort level. A smooth road near Gunlock does not describe the entire approach.
Our Route from Gunlock Road
On our ride, we parked near the intersection of Gunlock Road and Motoqua Road, where there was room for several trailers. We headed northwest on Motoqua Road for a little more than seven miles before turning right toward the caves. Beyond the graded road, the approach included rocky sections.
That describes our trip, rather than a complete turn-by-turn route or confirmation of current access. Check that parking is permitted, keep roads and gates clear, and verify the roads you intend to use before unloading. Carry an offline map and follow posted signs and designated motorized routes. For public-land route information in Washington County, contact the BLM St. George Field Office.
We returned by a different route to the north near the power lines, then visited the Gunlock Reservoir area. Multiple roads cross this country; choose your return route based on current access, conditions and your vehicle.
Visiting Naming Cave
GPS coordinates from our original ride report: 37.28047, -113.84534.
We approached Naming Cave from the north. Reaching the cave on foot was the more demanding part of this stop, so take your time on the sandstone and assess the climb and descent before committing. Getting your UTV to the area does not mean the cave approach will suit every passenger.
Wear shoes with good traction, keep your hands free, and turn around if the scrambling feels beyond your ability. Avoid stepping on or using rock-art surfaces as handholds.
Visiting Birthing Cave
GPS coordinates from our original ride report: 37.27938, -113.84752.
The stop we identify as Birthing Cave is southwest of Naming Cave. Its approach was easier on our visit, although the rock art was more worn and harder to see. Spend time observing the surfaces and letting your eyes adjust to the light.
Petroglyphs, Pictographs and Protecting the Site
Petroglyphs are images carved, pecked or scratched into rock. Pictographs are images painted onto rock. Both are fragile cultural resources, and their setting is part of the site’s significance.
- Observe and photograph rock art without touching it.
- Do not wet, chalk, trace, rub or otherwise alter images to make them easier to see.
- Leave artifacts and stones where you find them; do not dig or add markings.
- Keep vehicles on permitted roads and park away from cultural features.
- Pack out everything you bring.
The National Park Service’s petroglyph-site etiquette guide explains why even touching or attempting to enhance an image can cause lasting damage.
Adding Gunlock Reservoir and Gunlock Falls
Gunlock Reservoir can be another stop when planning your day in the area. Gunlock Falls are seasonal and depend on water spilling over the dam; they do not flow year-round. Check Gunlock State Park for current conditions and visitor information before planning around the waterfalls.
Use designated access and parking for the park. Slick rock, moving water and hidden pool hazards require care near the falls. Our original ride included a creek crossing, but that crossing should not be assumed to be safe or permitted for a future trip.
