Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park covers 2,240 acres of canyon country in southern Utah, about nine miles south of Cannonville off Scenic Byway 12. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument surrounds the park on three sides. Bryce Canyon National Park is 30 minutes northwest.

The Famous Sedimentary Pipes

The defining feature is the 67 sedimentary pipes scattered across the basin floor and protruding from sandstone walls. These monolithic spires range from six to 170 feet tall, with Chimney Rock being the tallest and most recognizable.

Geologists believe the pipes are remnants of ancient geysers and hot springs, solidified sediment left standing after millions of years of erosion wore away the softer surrounding Entrada sandstone. A 1948 National Geographic Society expedition photographed the area and named it after Kodak's Kodachrome color film. The name stuck, and the park became an official state park in 1962.

Trail System Overview

The trail system is compact and manageable in a single day. Angel's Palace Trail is the standout: a 1.5-mile loop that climbs onto a sandstone mesa with overlooks in every direction. Views stretch across the basin's spires, south toward the park entrance, and west to white sandstone ridges. The spur viewpoints are narrow with steep drop-offs, so keep children close.

Panorama Trail runs through the western side of the park as a 3-mile loop, passing Ballerina Spire, the Hat Shop (a cluster of capped hoodoos), and Secret Passage. An optional extension adds Cool Cave and Mammoth Spire for a 6-mile total.

Grand Parade Trail is a flat 1.5-mile walk through two box canyons, and the 0.5-mile Nature Trail near the campground is wheelchair accessible with interpretive panels on local plants, animals, and geology.

In the park's quieter southeast corner, the Shakespeare Arch and Sentinel Trail makes a 1.7-mile loop through open desert with views into Grand Staircase-Escalante. Shakespeare Arch collapsed in 2019, but the Sentinel spire and the surrounding landscape make the walk worthwhile.

Park Access and Fees

Entry is $10 per vehicle, covering up to eight people. The Utah State Parks Annual Pass ($125 for residents) covers day-use admission. The park is open year-round from 6 AM to 10 PM with no holiday closures. The gate locks at 10 PM.

Camping Options

Three campgrounds offer roughly 50 individual sites plus group areas:

• Basin Campground is the largest, with standard and full hook-up sites

• Arch Campground has power and water hookups

• Bryce View Campground is seasonal with no hookups

Two bunkhouse cabins ($95/night) have bunks, heating, AC, and a fridge but no running water. Bring your own bedding. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance through Reserve America, and peak-season sites fill quickly.

Dogs and Other Activities

Dogs are welcome throughout the park, including on all trails, as long as they stay on a leash no longer than six feet. Waste stations are located throughout. This makes Kodachrome a strong alternative for visitors with dogs who cannot access unpaved trails at Bryce Canyon. Summer sandstone surfaces can burn paw pads, so plan early or late hikes and bring water for your dog.

Beyond hiking, the park offers guided horseback rides departing from the Panorama Trail area, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a 3D archery course with 13 targets near the Visitor Center. The remote location and minimal light pollution create excellent conditions for stargazing. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.

Grosvenor Arch, an impressive double arch on BLM land, sits 10 miles southeast of the park and makes a worthwhile side trip.

Weather and Best Times to Visit

At 5,800 feet, the basin is lower than Bryce Canyon's rim and correspondingly warmer. Summer daytime highs can exceed 100°F, though nights cool to the 50s. Spring and fall offer the best conditions, with moderate temperatures and occasional wildflower displays. Winter is quiet and occasionally snowy, and the park rarely feels crowded in any season.