Hiking in Utah’s Kodachrome Basin
While Utah is well-known for its Mighty Five National Parks, the state is also home to 45 State Parks. We visited Kodachrome Basin State Park while on our first Socially Distant Local Road Trip of the pandemic. Bryce Canyon National Park was our primary destination, but I wanted an alternate afternoon locale to escape the anticipated midday Saturday crowds in Bryce. Kodachrome Basin is located only 30 minutes from Bryce Canyon, making it a logical choice. Its unusual rock formations and towering multi-colored cliffs make it a great reason to visit.
The park was named Kodachrome Basin by the National Geographic Society – after receiving permission from Kodak Film Corp – due to its vibrant colors. But the Park’s best known features are its monolithic spires called sedimentary pipes. Nearly 70 of these unusual formations can be found throughout the Park.
Because we only had a few hours to spend here, I stopped at the small visitors center to consult with the Ranger for hiking advice. Kodachrome Basin offers 5 different hiking trails of different lengths and intensity. The longest is the 6-mile Panorama Trail. The easiest is the Nature Trail – a flat half mile. We opted for something in between – the Angelโs Palace Trail. This hike is 1.5 miles long and ultimately circles along the top of a broad rocky sandstone ledge, 150 feet above the basin floor. Here you’ll find commanding 360 degree views out across the entirety of Kodachrome Basin.
Contents
The Angel Palace Trail Hike in Kodachrome Basin
After leaving the small visitors center, we drove northward a few miles to the trailโs parking lot. Along the way, we passed through red rock spires and spotted our first Pipe – a tall white cylinder that stands out strikingly from the red rock surrounding it. There are several spots to pull over and photograph these unusual formations.
Before long, we arrived at the joint parking lot for the Nature Trail and the Angelโs Palace Trail. While the Nature Trail starts at the parking lot, we had to search a little harder to find the Angel’s Palace trailhead. Ultimately, we found the marker located across the street.
The Angelโs Palace trail quickly took us into a small ravine, and then up along the sandstone, to the broad rocky ledge. On top, the trail follows a circular path with varied viewpoints of the Park’s north and eastward plateau walls, and down into the basin below. There are several narrow outcroppings that offer an opportunity for height-phobics like myself to test our mettle – especially on windy days like we experienced. But, the views out across and down to the basin floor below, were worth the anxiety.
Here are my photos from this hike:
A Brief Jaunt On The Nature Trail For a Pipe Photo
From on top of the Angelโs Palace, I could easily spot a pipe rising from the basin floor across the way along the Nature Trail. After finishing the Angelโs Palace hike, we walked into the Nature Trail area far enough to check it out.
Kodachrome Basin Visitor Tips
Getting There – Kodachrome Basin is located 23 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park, and 9 miles south of the well-marked turnoff at the small town of Cannonville.
Entrance Fee – There is an $10 day use fee to enter the Park.
Temperature – The Park sits at a much lower elevation than Bryce Canyon. It was 10 degrees hotter there and we definitely noticed. Be sure to bring plenty of water on a warm day.
Cell Phones – Be aware that there is no cell service in the Park.
Food – Cannonville has very few services. Tropic Utah is located equidistant between Bryce and Kodachrome Basin and offers several dining choices, gas, and supplies.
Crowds – As hoped, there were none. We only saw a few other people while hiking, and found only 7 cars in the parking lot. Compared to the packed Sunset Point parking lot we left behind in Bryce, this was a ghost town.
Focus on Bryce Canyon – Kodachrome Basin is a neat place, but pales in comparison to Bryce Canyon. This small Park was perfect for avoiding Saturday peak crowds in a popular national park during a pandemic. But if you only have a short time in Bryce Canyon, stay there! I have another post on this blog with all the thorough details about our weekend exploring Bryce Canyon National Park.
Other Utah Parks – Click here to learn about other State Parks in Utah. I’ve written about hiking at Dead Horse Point State Park – one of Utah’s most iconic viewpoints. Snow Canyon State Park should not be missed if you are visiting the St. George area. And you can click here to read my thorough guide to Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park. Red Canyon is located only 13 miles from Bryce, and is another great spot that shouldn’t be missed when in this part of Utah.
Wow, Iโve never heard of this Kodachrome Basin! Also kinda strange about the name haha. The landscape looks vivid but also unreal!
Yeah there are some very unusual formations. So much red rock variety in Utah!
Wow, looks like a perfect for a morning hike and thise colors are amazing! Thanks for sharing this place.
Anda
It would indeed be a great morning hike ๐
Had not heard of this and it looks worthy of a visit! I see the some of the shared geology with Bryce. Wish I knew more about it as something spectacular took place in these parts! Thanks for sharing…
So much beauty in that part of Utah! Capitol Reef is up next for us as we explore great spots locally during the pandemic.
Fascinating read, never heard of this place. Utah has incredible shaped formations and the red rocks – what great photo opportunities. I will be adding to my travel list!
One of the reasons we chose the Angel’s Palace trail, is that it’s described as the best in the park for photographers!
I’m currently planning my Utah state parks road trip & ran across Kodachrome. I haven’t found any advice on how much time to plan for exploring this spot. What is your recommendation – Approximately 2 hours? A half day? A full day? I am on limited time for this roadtrip but certainly don’t want to miss it. Thanks!! And thanks also for your super helpful blog posts & photos!!
Thanks for reading ๐ Itโs a small park so 2 hours should be about right if itโs part of a larger itinerary of other sites in the area. Thatโs how much time we spent and I feel that we got a good taste.
Wow! Those rocks! Youโre a braver man than me getting that close for the view to the basin floor ๐
We love a bit of hiking ๐ฅพ and Utah is on the bucket list ๐ค
Thanks for the info ๐
Hope you get over here sometime and you really should brave the ledge yourself when you do ๐
These red rocks remind me of Western Australia. It’s great that it was so empty and you could enjoy the scenery. Your photos are amazing, what a stunning place to hike.
I look forward to checking out the Western Australia red rocks some day ๐
There’s something especially calming about this part of the states and I always love to see photos of these outdoor adventures! My sister is in Phoenix and each time we visit we get to the outdoors as soon as possible! I hope to make my way into the Kodachrome Basin at some point!!
Definitely some great landscapes out this way!
What a beautiful Hike! The Angel Palace Trail Hike seems wonderful. Great guide and amazing photos. Thanks for sharing
It was a great hike! Thanks for reading ๐