Kodachrome Basin State Park

About 22 miles E of the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park

Kodachrome Basin lives up to its name; its wonderful scenery practically cries out to be captured on film (regardless of brand or type). Named by the National Geographic Society in 1949, the park is chock-full of tall stone "chimneys" and pink-and-white sandstone cliffs, all set among the contrasting greens of sagebrush and piñon and juniper trees. It also abuts and makes a good base for exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (described earlier in the chapter).

Just the Facts

Because temperatures get a bit warm here in summer -- the park is at 5,800 feet of elevation -- the best times to visit, especially for hikers, are May, September, and October, when there are also fewer people.

Getting There -- From Bryce Canyon National Park, go 3 miles north to the junction of Utah 63 and Utah 12, go east (right) on Utah 12 for about 12 miles to Cannonville, turn south onto the park's access road (there's a sign), and go about 7 miles to the park entrance.

Information, Fees & Regulations -- Contact the park office at P.O. Box 180069, Cannonville, UT 84718-0069 (tel. 435/679-8562; www.stateparks.utah.gov) for information. Day use of the park costs $5 per vehicle. Dogs are permitted in the park and on trails, but must be kept on leashes no more than 6 feet long. The park office at the pay station at the entrance to the park can give you information.

Camping -- The park's attractive 27-site campground is set among stone chimneys and scattered piñon and juniper trees. It has flush toilets, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and an RV dump station, but no RV hookups. Campsites cost $14 per night. Call tel. 800/322-3770 or 801/322-3770 or visit www.stateparks.utah.gov for reservations; a $7 nonrefundable reservation fee will be charged (regardless of the number of nights).

Sports & Activities

Hiking -- Kodachrome Basin offers several hiking possibilities. Starting just south of the campground, the Panorama Trail is only moderately difficult. At first, it follows an old, relatively flat wagon route; then it climbs to offer views of the park's rock formations before reaching the well-named Panorama Point. Along the way are several possible side trips, including a short walk to the Hat Shop, so named because the formations resemble broad-brimmed hats, and White Buffalo Loop, where you'll see a formation that looks like -- guess what? -- a white buffalo. On this hike, you can also hook up with Big Bear Geyser Trail, which is a bit more difficult, winding past Big Bear and Mama Bear before returning to Panorama Trail. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the Panorama Trail and an extra hour for Big Bear Geyser Trail.

Fans of arches will want to drive the dirt road to the trail head for the half-mile round-trip hike to scenic Shakespeare Arch. This trail also provides views of a large chimney-rock formation.

Horseback Riding & Stagecoach Rides -- Located in the park along the park road (you can't miss it), Trail Head Station (tel. 435/679-8536 or 435/679-8787; www.brycecanyoninn.com) offers horseback and stagecoach rides April through October, for $16 per hour per person. The company also rents six cabins (full bathroom, refrigerator, air-conditioning, and an outside barbecue grill for cooking) for $65 per night for up to four people; and operates a small store with camping supplies, food items, and the like.

Wildlife-Watching -- Jackrabbits and chukar partridges are probably the most commonly seen wildlife in the park You'll also hear the piñon jay and might see an occasional coyote or rattlesnake.