Kodachrome Basin State Park

In the shadows of Bryce Canyon National Park lies a little-known Utah State Park that makes a convenient base camp for exploring Bryce and the upper Paria portion of the Grand Staircase National Monument. Kodachrome Basin offers unique red-rock scenery, famous for its intriguing "sand pipes," and it has among the best and cleanest amenities in a state park I've seen. The park has a number of short and interesting hikes, but more adventurous families will certainly want to venture outside the park to a number of nearby must-see attractions. For younger kids, the Upper Cottonwood Wash Narrows, Willis Creek, and Grosvenor Arch are an easy drive away. Serious hikers will want to hit Round Valley Draw and Bull Valley Gorge. Fishing at either Pine Lake or Tropic Reservoir will provide some relaxing down time between hikes. History buffs will want to visit the Widtsoe ghost town and cemetery, the Georgetown cemetery, and the Elijah Averret grave site in Averret Canyon.

Here are a few highlights of our trips to Kodachrome over the years:

View of Kodachrome State Park's campground from the Angel's Palace Trail. Flush toilets, hot showers, and very very clean.

View to the west from Angel's Palace Trail. A number of sand pipe monoliths are visible in the mid-distance.

One of the larger sand pipes along the Grand Parade Trail. Rather unusual for a Utah State Park, there are two trails within Kodachrome Basin that are open to mountain bikes (the other being the Panorama Trail).

Coasting by the Ballerina sand pipe on the Panorama Trail.  Many theories exist to explain Kodachrome's sand pipes. Personally, I like the idea of them being  petrified liquefaction features.  Imagine a large magnitude earthquake rocking layered sand deposits near the shore of a Jurassic age sea (~150 million years ago). The intense ground motion thrusts saturated sand (white) up through drier, more dense sand above (red), finally reaching the surface to create a "sand volcano." Although the volcanoes at the surface are now long gone, the inner plumbing of the volcanoes have since turned to stone and are what form the pipes seen today.

The biking at Kodachrome Basin is far from epic, but challenging sand traps and fantastic scenery keep things interesting.



The "Cool Cave" found along the Big Bear portion of the ever-expanding Panorama Trail. It is legal to ride through this short slot, which makes for some interesting photos.



Cool Cave.

Cool Cave.

Chukars are common at Kodachrome. Try the short paved Nature Trail at dusk for a good chance to see them. This guy let us walk right up to him.

Mighty Grosvenor Arch -- a short drive from Kodachrome Basin.

The Upper Cottonwood Wash Narrows are a favorite with kids.



The full Bull Valley Gorge/Willis Creek loop is a must for experienced hikers looking for adventure. The first few miles of Willis Creek down from the Skutumpah Road is the ticket if kids are in tow.



Willis Creek narrows.

The fam in Willis Creek.

A clear, cool stream almost always flows in Willis Creek, raising the fun factor a couple of notches.

A description for the colorful "Cannonville slots" can be found in Michael Kelsey's guidebook for the Paria River. While there are a few photogenic spots in the area, your time is probably best spent elsewhere.  Access update to Kelsey's book: Bob Ott and his wife no longer run the cabins & concessionaire at Kodachrome S.P., you must call them for permission to access the slots (435.679.8787). Very nice folks.

Playing around in the Cannonville slots.

As you hike between the two main slots at Cannonville, keep an eye out for this nifty toadstool. It wont be around much longer!