Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park is located just a few miles south of UT 12 due east of Bryce Canyon, and can be reached by a paved road. This small, popular state park is known for its weather-beaten, multihued rock formations in various shades of yellow, red, pink, brown, and white. These beautiful rock formations together with the deep blue sky and lush green vegetation led the National Geographical Society to name the area as ‘Kodachrome Basin’ with the approval of the Kodak Film Corp.

The most exceptional feature of the park is the presence of ‘sand pipes’. These sand pipes appear like ‘spires’ or 'chimneys' of rock and are nothing but solidified sediment that filled the ancient springs or geysers. The Grand Parade, situated along the Park road, is the best place to view these sand pipes and other such formations.

The Park road ends at a 27-site campground from where the narrow, steep, and short Eagles View Trail starts. This trail winds 460 feet (140 m) to a pass at the top of the cliffs and provides great overall views. The Panorama Trail is a 3-mile (4.8 km) loop that ends at another good viewpoint that offers breathtaking views. Several continuation paths from here lead to the site of an old geyser located westwards. Yet another unpaved road, east of the ranger residence, forks to form two branches, one leading to the Shakespeare Arch and the other to the Chimney Rock, the largest sand pipe in the park.

The country surrounding the Kodachrome Basin State Park is also worth exploring. The major attraction in this area is the Grosvenor Arch, situated 10 miles (16.1 km) southeast. Dirt tracks from near the park head further into a large wilderness area. Lake Powell is located to the southwest of this wilderness area. Besides, numerous colorful canyons, arches, and mesas in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument can be explored by hiking trails and 4WD vehicles.  The towns of Tropic and Canyonville, situated nearby, have a few motels.