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 photographed. Named for the classic Kodak color slide film by the National Geographic Society after an expedition there in 1948, 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.
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 9 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 costs $6 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. Four sites have full RV hookups. Basic campsites cost $16 per night, and sites with hookups cost $25 per night. Call tel. 800/322-3770 or 801/322-3770 or visit www.reserveamerica.com for reservations ($8 reservation fee).
Lodging & Supplies
Located in the park along the park road (you can't miss it), Kodachrome General Store (tel. 435/679-8536; www.redstonecabins.com) sells camping supplies, food items, and the like. This is also headquarters for Redstone Cabins, six modern cabins. Four have two double beds and two have one king, and all six have bathrooms with showers, refrigerators, microwaves, air-conditioning, private porches with tables and chairs, and outside charcoal barbecue grills. Cost per cabin per night for up to four people is $90 from mid-April to mid-October, $70 from mid-March to mid-April, and $50 the rest of the year.
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 .5-mile round-trip hike to scenic Shakespeare Arch. This trail also provides views of a large chimney-rock formation.
Horseback Riding
To see Kodachrome Basin from the back of a horse contact Red Canyon Trail Rides (tel. 800/892-7923; www.redcanyontrailrides.com). A 1-hour ride costs $30 and a 2-hour ride costs $50.
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.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
