Hike the Grand Parade Trail in Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park, known for its stunning red rock formations and vibrant desert landscapes, offers several incredible trails. Still, one that stands out for its accessibility and scenic beauty is the Grand Parade Trail. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk through remarkable terrain, the Grand Parade trail hike in Kodachrome delivers an unforgettable experience.

A visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park is a great addition when traveling to Bryce Canyon National Park.  The two parks are a short drive from one another.  At Kodachrome, we decided to hike the Grand Parade Trail during our visit.

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Pretty easy trail, short & flat although little shade in the heat. Box canyons were the best part. Is also bike-able. Side note: what a credit to Utah state parks! Incredibly clean, well-signed, and offers a lot to visitors. One of the most impressive state parks I’ve been to and that includes Goblin Valley & Deadhorse on this same road trip.

Dan M. – An AllTrails Reviewer

Overview of the Grand Parade Trail

The Grand Parade Trail is a loop trail that covers approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers), making it one of the park’s shorter and more manageable hikes. Most hikers complete this trail in around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on their pace and the number of stops to take in the scenery. With little elevation gain, this is an easy trail suitable for most fitness levels, including families with children or hikers who prefer a more relaxed experience.

By The Numbers – Grand Parade Trail

Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation change: 75 feet
Difficulty rating: Easy
Type: Loop
Season: All year

Difficulty Level Is Easy

After a full day of hiking the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park the prior day, we started our hiking easy during our visit to Kodachrome.  The Grand Parade Trail is a 1.5-mile loop on the floor of Kodachrome Basin.  The difficulty level is rated as easy.

Who Would Enjoy This Hike?

This trail is perfect for those seeking a low-impact hike while enjoying stunning desert landscapes. The Grand Parade Trail is suitable for:

• Casual hikers: This trail is ideal if you’re not interested in strenuous hikes but still want to experience the beauty of the Kodachrome Basin.
• Families: The flat terrain and well-marked paths make it an excellent option for families with children.
• Photographers: The vivid rock formations, contrasting colors, and open landscape offer plenty of opportunities for photography.
• Geology enthusiasts: Kodachrome Basin’s unique “sand pipes” and eroded formations give hikers a close-up look at rare and fascinating geological features.

Highlights of the Trail

Hikers often rave about the solitude and serenity of the Grand Parade Trail. Some of the standout features include:

• Spectacular rock formations: Kodachrome Basin is known for its unique spires, known as sand pipes, which are thought to have formed from ancient springs. These towering rock formations are scattered throughout the trail, creating a dramatic backdrop. We viewed several sandpipes, including Dinosaur Spire.  This state park boasts at least 67 monolithic stone spires in or near the park.
• Open desert views: The trail offers wide, open views of the surrounding landscape, with distant red cliffs and valleys that create a feeling of vastness. It’s a great spot for sunset or sunrise hikes when the light illuminates the rocks’ red and orange hues.
• Diverse desert flora: Along the way, hikers will see various desert plants, including sagebrush and junipers, which add an extra layer of natural beauty to the hike.

We see several native flowers during our hike on this trail. A few of the cacti are in bloom in June.

As we prepare to start, we notice a few trees like this one, barely hanging on to life with just a few roots connecting their way into the soil. This tree is hanging on to dear life.

We enjoyed looking at the cocoa-colored terrain, which was so different from that of Bryce Canyon NPS the prior day. There were lots of cocoa-colored hills with erosion onto the trail floor. The geology here demonstrates the effects of millions of years of erosion by wind and water.

Along some of the hillsides, you can see how the erosion and runoff from the hills themselves provide a cocoa-colored floor with a baked-like consistency. The unique geology here captivated us, and we spent quite a bit of time viewing the landscape.

A Very Well-Maintained Trail

This hike is nearly completely level. It was enjoyable for a taste of Kodachrome scenery. The trail markers were plentiful and accurate.

A Hiking Trail for Everyone

The Grand Parade Trail hike in Kodachrome was a leisurely but enjoyable stroll. We enjoyed the scenery and easy pace through some of Kodachrome Basin State Park’s flat areas.  If you have just a little time during your visit and are interested in a leisurely walk that lets you take in some of the beauty, the Grand Parade Trail is a great choice.

We spent about an hour hiking the Grand Parade Trail before exploring other parts of Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy views of the mountains and the spectacular multi-colored hills.

Plan For Your Hike

Check out the brochure from Kodachrome Basin State Park. It provides a Kodachrome Basins State Park map, trail maps, and information to help you plan to explore this area.

We also recommend the Angel’s Palace Trail hike in Kodachrome Basin State Park.

10/05/2024 04:11 pm GMT

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