Kodachrome Basin State Park

We just camped here for three nights and had an absolute blast except for the bugs (more about that further down).
The campground is well maintained with tons of trails and small hikes that are family and adventurer friendly.
The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. The dish washing sink is a total bonus!
Our only complaint was that in June the no see ums (flying, biting gnats) show up for their annual feast and campers are the main course. Obviously nothing the facility can do about that but skip June if you can.

Kodachrome was our last stop on our trip this week. We drove the Scenic Byway Utah 12 from Escalante to the State Park that morning and were afforded some beautiful views. The state park was very nice, but a little bit of a disappointment compared to all of the other beautiful parks we had visited earlier in our trip. The park is pretty small, so definitely make sure you visit in weather that allows you to get out and hike the trails — I am sure that makes a visit to this park even better.

Just one day after that infamous rainstorm and subsequent flash flooding of Sept 14, 2015 that killed at least 20 people in Southern Utah/​Zion, we were seeking redemption. Unlike for other visitors, Zion that day had treated us well, but we had gotten the h*** out before the storm hit. And the following day, we had spurned nearby Bryce Canyon after recommendations from Unilocalers and friends alike told us of great inspiration in lesser known places:
From tiny Cannonville, we passed by vast ranch lands and rustic fences, colorful rocky cliffs, seeing occasional free-​range cattle wandering alongside the road, some of which found it amusing to direct traffic and require the infrequent traveler to stop while they made a cursory vehicle inspection. A very pleasant drive.
The usually lazy Paria River was still swollen, churning up the red and white sandstone to become an angry, pink, muddy, insatiable eating machine. We travelled the thankfully elevated highway that paralleled it for some time, grateful that the storm had now passed, while the watery latecomers still bullied the landscape as they had for millions of years before. The view was magnificent, but we still had no idea of what was to come.
At last, we reached the entrance to Kodachrome. So typical of the area, the ruggedly textured walls that surrounded this lesser known park were ribboned with brilliant red and grey and white. But the crowning glory were the solitary spires, *suggestive* monoliths that rose up from the ground and pointed to the skies. Such a pretty little park with a campground in a most perfect spot. I could imagine this spot as a nearly perfect canyon for corralling cattle, maybe even some smuggling. And while we did not stay the night, I have to imagine that on a clear night, the starscape had to be wonderful.
With less people, definitely less traffic, much space, there are trails to hike, arches to see, biking, guided horseback rides, and the awe inspiring red chimneys Mother Nature had carved. There are a few cute log cabins for rent (see Redstone Cabins or Bryce Canyon Villas with a Cannonville address) and a small store just outside the park, and inside, a beautiful little campground that offers very limited RV hook ups and more basic camping sites, hot showers, toilets.
Reservations are a very good idea. The payoff… priceless beauty and solitude.

We were hoping to get into Grand Staircase for some hiking. Stopped at the visitor center in Cannonville and the asked how long the drive would be. «Until you get stuck». It was raining hard all day and the road becomes impassible in the rain. Never mind.
Plan B: a tour and a couple of short hikes at Kodachrome. We had the trail absolutely to ourselves and had wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and some interesting scrambling on slickrock.
The rock formations here are politely referred to as smokestacks or chimneys. Sure, if you say so. The basin is ringed with multicolored rock befitting the Kodachrome name. You will want to take a lot of photos and show those stacks to your friends. Hear Simon and Garfunkel in the background? Mama don’t take my Kodachrome away.

I can’t complain this state park had no signal for cell nor tv. You don’t have time to sit around to do Facebook! You get out and explore more!
This park got name from Kodak Film Corp., for its’ beauty.
We trailed, took lots of pictures and drove out cottonwood to see the Arch but the most fun we had @ Kodachrome was horse back ride!
We highly recommend.
The guide Mark? was great. The price is much much less than the others. This was my first time and I would do it again in a heart beat!

This is part of my Utah road trip, I visited Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, this one and Dead Horse Point State Park. This is the best, and is relatively small. Entrance fee is $ 8 per car, pets are allowed, and dogs are not allowed in the national park. This place if you go first thing in the morning and not really first thing first thing, say before 9 am, you have the whole place to yourself, the view and the scenery is so dramatic and breath taking.
In 1948 the National Geographic Society explored and photographed the area for a story that appeared in the September 1949 issue of National Geographic. They named the area Kodachrome Flat, after the then relatively new brand of Kodak film they used.
There is no real trail most of the time, the ranger at the entrance will give you a map. Go go go, the best.

This is the 2^nd time we came here to visit the park in 5 years. 1^st time, it was raining. I’m sorry but I am unfortunately too old to hike the trails and we did not come to camp overnight. So we paid the entrance fee, (thinking we could drive around the park and see the sights) drove the 1 mile of paved road just to find basically everything was closed except the trails. It took us a whole 5 minutes to return to the entrance and ask «what is there to see here?» I was not impressed at all. This is a tiny, tiny Utah State Park. The park staff are friendly enough but it was about as interesting and exciting as driving thru a Wal-​mart parking lot except you have to pay to get in.
It is not even about the $$ paid, it about the principle of receiving absolutely nothing in return. I understand that everyone else gave it a ⁵⁄₅ review. I’m sure others will think I’m wrong… but I am not.
We drove down for a day trip from Utah County and this place is way out-​of-​the-​way. If you come here just know that the camp sites are quite expensive and this is a hiking park. If you come here to drive around (such as Arches National Monument or Canyonlands) to see the sites, you will see everything within 5 minutes. that’s it. You would be better served to Google the photos, instead.
This was one of the worst experiences I’ve had in a «State Park».

Amazing stars — full hookups for RVs — very quiet and peaceful. Lots of good hiking in the park and nearby — Cottonwood Narrows, Willis Creek, Grosvenor Arch, and of course Bryce is 45 min. away. Rangers are very helpful and knowledgeable.

This is another gorgeous Utah state park!
We had hoped to camp here when our reservation at Bryce Canyon NP fell through after the government shutdown last fall but it was booked solid during the time frame we had available. However, that did not stop us from coming to see it for a few hours. Paul L.‘s original review aptly describes the many sandpipe formations to be seen here and they would have been more dramatic if the sky wasn’t overcast. Virility need not enter into the scenery to appreciate the wonderful vistas. There are several trails available but we took time for just the Kodachrome Nature Trail, which is easy and ADA accessible, and the Angel’s Palace Trail, a moderate trial that is very narrow and steep at spots but rewards you with a great overlook. The red rocks, layers, and formations makes for a beautiful setting worth trying to secure a campsite for someday.

Very picturesque little place in Utah. We visited after going to Bryce Canyon National Park. The colors at sunset on the faces of the carved rock structures are vivid. This park has the right name. It is uncrowded and appears to be a nice place to hike (we didn’t do it). This is worth the 20 minute detour drive from the main highway. You get right up close to the bizarre shaped (if not sexually suggestive) formations. Your car will get dirty.

A beautiful, quiet, small campground that is off the beaten path. Made reservations online, and was glad I did, because I could see which were the better sites. All of the sites are nice, but the ones on the outside of the loop are more spacious and don’t back up into another site. Bathrooms are clean and showers are a nice perk. Only took a short hike, as we were hiking in other places during our stay, but I’ll have to come back to try some other trails. It was hot and the gnats were biting, but that’s to be expected in this area in June. It’s also only 20 miles from Bryce Canyon, making for a much quieter alternative to Bryce’s crowded campgrounds.

Spires to heaven and Incredible Panoramas
This is an extremely hidden park inside a park. It takes focus to continue to continue to get to this place, but let me tell you it is worth it! The ranger we spoke with in the visitor center (Brandon) was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the area and the park. This Basin has incredible spires and colors and the mornings and evenings are true pleasure for your eyes and lenses. Camp here a few days if you can and enjoy a serinity only nature can bring

Outstanding state park at the end of outstanding Cottonwood road in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Camping is $ 16 a night, which seems high, but the site is excellent with showers (though did not use) and includes the $ 6 entrance fee which is well worth it because there’s a few great hikes in here into the formations and just the general surroundings are great. Plan to be hot. General store is there for supplies. Very clean bathrooms with good soap. A nice place to spend at least one night and see the park before checking out other areas. The loop hike Panorama Trail with the «Secret Passage» add-​on is a must along with the Grand Parade and the one to the arch.

Now that Kodak announced today that they’re discontinuing Kodachrome photographic film, at least this park will live on with its cool name.