Is Kodachrome Basin State Park Worth Visiting?

If you’re looking for a unique destination filled with striking geology and serene landscapes, Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah is absolutely worth visiting. Nestled just a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park, this hidden gem offers a peaceful escape with one-of-a-kind rock formations, beautiful hikes, and stargazing opportunities.

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Kodachrome – Give Us Those Night Bright Colors

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away

Paul Simon

Overview of Kodachrome Basin State Park

Named after the vibrant Kodachrome film by National Geographic photographers in 1948, this state park lives up to its colorful name. Kodachrome Basin features a striking landscape filled with towering sandstone spires, known as “sand pipes,” that rise from the ground in red, orange, and white shades. These unique geological features were formed over millions of years and are unlike anything else you’ll find in Utah.

The park is relatively small compared to some of Utah’s larger national parks, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with serenity and lack of crowds. Visitors come here for the opportunity to experience a quiet, scenic adventure.

Top Things to Do in Kodachrome Basin State Park

1. Hiking at Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin offers several beautiful hiking trails, each showcasing the unique rock formations and desert landscapes of the park.

• Angel’s Palace Trail: This 1.5-mile loop takes hikers to a stunning overlook with panoramic views of the park. It’s a relatively easy hike, making it great for families and those looking for a quick but rewarding experience.
• Panorama Trail: A longer 6-mile loop, this trail takes you through the heart of the park’s most iconic landscapes. Along the way, you’ll pass towering sand pipes, sandstone arches, and sweeping desert vistas.
• Shakespeare Arch and Sentinel Trail: This is a popular trail in the park. Though a bit more challenging, the views make it worthwhile. However, the famous Shakespeare Arch collapsed in 2019.

During our visit, we experienced a very long hike in Bryce Canyon the prior day on the Fairyland Loop trail. So, we selected two shorter hikes during our visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park: the Grand Parade Trail and Angel’s Palace Trail. Among the hiking options at the park, you’ll find a variety of trails with various lengths and difficulty levels.

2. Photography

The park’s colors, textures, and formations are a dream for photographers. The sand pipes, some reaching up to 170 feet high, are the highlight. The best time to capture the park’s vivid colors is during sunrise or sunset, when the light enhances the natural hues of the rock.

3. Camping

For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, Kodachrome Basin offers tent and RV camping. The campground is peaceful and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to stay while exploring the park and nearby attractions like Bryce Canyon.

4. Horseback Riding

The park offers guided horseback rides that allow visitors to explore the area from a new perspective. Riders are taken through scenic areas that are less accessible on foot, giving them a unique experience of the park’s landscape.

5. Stargazing

Far from the light pollution of cities, Kodachrome Basin State Park is an incredible spot for stargazing. The clear desert skies offer breathtaking views of the Milky Way, planets, and constellations. Bring a telescope or simply enjoy the view with the naked eye.

Top Tips for Visiting Kodachrome Basin State Park

Best Time To Visit

Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summers can be pretty hot, so if you plan to visit in the warmer months, bring plenty of water and start your hikes early in the morning.

We also recommend planning a half-day at the minimum if you drive out to this state park.

What To Bring

Whether hiking or camping, you’ll want to be prepared for the desert conditions. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sturdy hiking shoes. If you stay overnight, the temperatures can drop significantly in the desert, so pack layers for cooler evenings.

Combine with Nearby Attractions

Kodachrome Basin is located near some of Utah’s other natural wonders, including Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It’s easy to plan a trip that includes visiting Kodachrome Basin and these other incredible destinations. If you plan to visit Bryce, check out our article on how to get to Kodachrome Basin State Park from Bryce Canyon National Park.

Photography Tips

The park’s sandstone formations glow with vibrant colors at sunrise and sunset, making these the best times for photography. Plan your hikes or photography sessions around these hours to capture the most stunning images.

Stay for the Stars

If possible, spend the night in the park and enjoy the incredible stargazing opportunities. The clear skies make it one of the best places in Utah to see the stars, and you’ll have a front-row seat right from your campsite.

Stop at the Visitor Center

During your visit to the park, we recommend a stop at the Visitor Center to learn more about the history and geology of Kodachrome Basin. The center offers information about the park’s unique features, as well as information about hiking trails and other activities.

The friendly staff at the Visitor Center are an excellent resource for any questions or concerns you may have during your visit. They can provide maps, recommend hikes based on your skill level, and offer tips on making the most of your time at Kodachrome Basin State Park.

In addition to educational materials, the Visitor Center has a small gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and locally made items. We noticed the store offered a few postcards and clothing items for sale. They also had a decent book selection, considering this is a smallish center. We were hoping for more information on the park itself; it felt somewhat sparse.

Getting To Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park is 20 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park and about 36 miles west of Escalante, Utah.

Kodachrome Basin State Park Map via Google Maps

To get to Kodachrome Basin State Park, you can drive or fly into nearby major cities such as Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, or Denver. If driving, the most direct route is taking Highway 89 from Salt Lake City south to Panguitch, then heading east on Highway 12 towards Escalante. From Escalante, take Highway 12 west until reaching Cannonville. The entrance to the park is about 6 miles south of Cannonville on Cottonwood Canyon Road.

If flying, the closest airport is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, about a 4.5-hour drive from the park. Other nearby airports include Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport.

We drove to the park from the Bryce Canyon RV Resort in Cannonville, where our Airstream would await our return. From the town of Cannonville, we drove east on Kodachrome Road. In just under 15 minutes, we arrived at a fork in the road.  If we drove straight, we would be taken down a dirt road.  Several cars ahead of us were debating which way to go.  We chose to turn left, continuing on a paved road, which was the direction to the Kodachrome Basin State Park official entrance in this area.  At the gate, we paid an entry fee of $10.

How Did Kodachrome Basin Get Its Name?

It is an unusual name, isn’t it?  Which came first – the name of the park or the famous Kodak brand film?  In 1948, the National Geographic Society and the Explorers Club of New York organized an expedition.  Their mission was to explore one of the least known wild areas in the United States.  This last frontier in Utah was known as Escalante Land.

The expedition included local guides from several nearby towns, including Cannonville, Tropic, Henrieville, and Panguitch. When they arrived at a place known by the locals as “Thorley Pasture,” the NGS explorers were surprised by the unique and dramatic landscape they discovered.

“It was a beautiful and fantastic country…we renamed it ‘Kodachrome Flat’ because of the astonishing variety of contrasting colors in the formations.” (Jack Breed, National Geographic Magazine 1949)

In the 1960s, the area was set aside as a State Reserve.  At this time, the name was officially changed, with consent from the Kodak Film Corporation, to Kodachrome Basin, which reflected the unique geology found here.

As you might gather from the name of this state park, you would be advised to travel here with a camera in your possession.  

Geology At Kodachrome Basin State Park

Don’t Bust The Crust!

The soil here is cryptobiotic.  It’s dark and bumpy, and it just looks different. In fact, it’s more than just dirt.  The soil is actually alive – made up of cyanobacteria, green algae, lichens, mosses, microfungi, and bacteria.  This miniature community of organisms absorbs water, prevents erosion by wind and water, provides nitrogen, and helps seeds find a safe place to germinate.

Because the soil is so special, staying on the trails is especially important.  This way, you can do your part so as not to bust the crust.  Walking on the cryptobiotic soil will crush the tiny organisms and damage their ability to absorb water, withstand wind, and hold soil particles together.  It can take decades to recover.

Kodachrome Basin Start Park is one of the most scenic spots in Utah.  This geological wonderland sparks the imagination and overwhelms the senses.  Sixty-seven monolithic stone spires are found in or near the park, and more than 180 million years of geologic time have been revealed on the multi-colored rock surfaces.

Attractions Nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park

• Bryce Canyon National Park: Known for its stunning orange and red rock formations called hoodoos, this national park is just a 30-minute drive from Kodachrome Basin. Visitors can hike, camp, or take scenic drives to experience the unique landscape.
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: This vast monument covers over a million acres of land and offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. It is about an hour’s drive from Kodachrome Basin.
• Grosvenor Arch: Located about 25 miles from the park, this impressive double arch is a popular spot for photography and hiking.

Plan For Your Kodachrome Visit

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.

Places To Stay Near Kodachrome Basin State Park

Several lodging options are available near Kodachrome Basin State Park, ranging from cozy cabins to luxurious resorts. For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, camping and RV park options are nearby.

1. Kodachrome Basin State Park Campground: This campground is located within the state park and offers 29 campsites with access to restrooms and showers. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance.
2. Bryce Canyon Resort: Just a short drive from the park, this resort offers comfortable cabins with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. They also have an on-site restaurant serving delicious meals.

For those looking for more budget-friendly options, there are also several campgrounds and RV parks in nearby towns, such as Tropic and Cannonville. These include Bryce Pioneer Village Campground and Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground.

Check out our interactive map below to find additional nearby options:

Listen to our Kodachrome Basin State Park Podcast Episode

Watch our YouTube video – Hiking at Kodachrome

Conclusion

Kodachrome Basin State Park features more than 12 miles of recreational trails, a 27-site campground with modern restrooms, two group-use areas, and a visitor center.  Travelers from all over the world come to hike, camp, photograph, and marvel at the natural beauty of Kodachrome Basin.

We scratched the surface when we ventured out for visiting Kodachrome Basin State Park. A future visit can let us explore even more hiking trails, and who knows, even set up camp in the park.

While Kodachrome Basin State Park may not have the notoriety of Utah’s larger national parks, it offers a tranquil escape with stunning natural beauty. Whether you’re hiking through sandstone spires, camping under the stars, or capturing breathtaking photos, the park is definitely worth visiting for anyone looking to explore Utah’s unique landscapes. Plus, with its proximity to other iconic parks, including Kodachrome Basin, as part of a broader Utah adventure is easy.

Oh yeah, and we did bring the trusty Nikon camera!

Thanks for reading. We hope to see you at the places where we go!
#kodachrome #kodachromebasinstatepark #utahstateparks

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12/26/2024 11:56 pm GMT

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