Overview
Kodachrome Basin State Park is a state park in Canyon Country of Utah. In the park there are almost 70 monolithic pillars made of sand sediments that are up to 50 m high.
3 sights · 3 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kodachrome Basin State Park
Indian Cave
Small cave decorated with ancient Native American handprints scraped into the rock.
Panorama Trail
Passes interesting rock formations and caves.
Angel's Palace Trail
Lots of panoramic views from up high.
Secret Passage
As the name suggests, the Secret Passage passes thru some of the unusual geological formations of the park.
Cool Cave
As the name suggests, it's a rather cool looking cave tucked in the northwestern areas of the park.
Grand Parade Trail
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 17°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jan and Aug. (climate data from nearby Bryce Canyon National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PGA Page Municipal Airport, Page — 50 mi away. Directions
- CDC Cedar City Regional Airport, Cedar City — 62 mi away. Directions
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas — 200 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take the famous Scenic Drive, Highway 12 to Cannonville and then 15 km south on a paved road to the park.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Indian Cave, Panorama Trail
- Afternoon Grand Parade Trail, Angel's Palace Trail
Day 2
- Morning Secret Passage
- Afternoon Cool Cave
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The Kodachrome Basin State Park Visitor Center sells snacks, beverages, ice cream, and coffee.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
In 1949, The National Geographic Society gave the park the name Kodachrome Basin in accordance with Eastman Kodak Inc. The reason for this was the multicolor and color contrast of the rocks.
Landscape and wildlife
The park is about 1760 m high and is a semi-desert. The plants have to be able to do without a lot of water. You can see pines and juniper bushes everywhere. There are also bushes and wildflowers. The animals must also be able to survive in this inhospitable region. You can see mule deer, mountain lions, coyotes, gray foxes, as well as birds, rabbits, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, snakes and lizards.
Climate
The climate is dry and is hot on summer days and cool at night. Winters are cold.
Visitor information
Get in
Take the famous Scenic Drive, Highway 12 to Cannonville and then 15 km south on a paved road to the park.
Fees and permits
- Day-Use Fee: $10 per vehicle (max. 8 people per vehicle)
- Bike/Motorcycle/Pedestrians: $5 per person
- Commercial Groups/Private Vehicles with More than 8 people: $10.00 entry fee + $3.00/person
- Utah Resident Seniors (62 and Older): $5.00 per vehicle (max. 8 people per vehicle)
Get around
The park is relatively small and can be hiked on foot or by mountain bike.
See
See Secret Passage
As the name suggests, the Secret Passage passes thru some of the unusual geological formations of the park.
See Cool Cave
As the name suggests, it's a rather cool looking cave tucked in the northwestern areas of the park.
See Indian Cave
Small cave decorated with ancient Native American handprints scraped into the rock.
Do
Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Do Grand Parade Trail
Eat and drink
The Kodachrome Basin State Park Visitor Center sells snacks, beverages, ice cream, and coffee.
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Kodachrome Basin State Park has 55 campsites, two of which are group sites. There is one big campground (Basin Campground) and two smaller ones (Arch Campground and Bryce View Campground). They have surprisingly nice bathrooms and Basin Campground has showers. Campsites can be reserved at Reserve America.
Firewood is $10 per bundle at Basin Campground, cash only; bring exact change.
Backcountry
Go next
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park<nowiki/>is 40 miles northwest of the park on Highway 12.
- Bryce Canyon National Park is about 25 miles away traveling northwest on Highway 12.
Nearby
Bryce Canyon National Park
Park · 31 listings · 12 mi away
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Park · 12 listings · 19 mi away
Panguitch
City / town · 10 listings · 32 mi away
Big Water
City / town · 1 listings · 35 mi away
Mount Carmel Junction
City / town · 34 listings · 42 mi away
Kanab
City / town · 40 listings · 43 mi away
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Park · 10 listings · 45 mi away
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Park · 8 listings · 47 mi away
My experience
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