State Park · Utah
A film-named basin of monolithic sandstone pipes near Bryce: easy hoodoo hikes, a quiet year-round campground, bunkhouses, and big dark skies.
Field briefing
Kodachrome Basin State Park changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
It is named for the color film that inspired a 1948 National Geographic expedition, and the light on the spires is the whole point. Base here to slow down, then day-trip to the bigger parks.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Warm afternoons and cold mornings, with strong color on the spires and rising weekend crowds.
Pack Layers for cold starts, sun cover for the day, and water for dry trails.
Hot and dry on the open trails, though the higher elevation keeps nights cooler than the low desert.
Pack Early starts, electrolytes, and shade breaks at the visitor center.
Excellent hiking weather and quieter trails, with sharp light on the sedimentary pipes.
Pack A warm layer, a headlamp for early dark, and footwear for sandy washes.
Cold and very quiet, with occasional snow and a campground that stays open year-round.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited daylight and services.
Angel's Palace Trail
The best short payoff: a quick climb onto a plateau with 360-degree views over the basin and its stone pipes.
Panorama Trail and Big Bear Geyser
A flexible loop past named formations and the park's tallest pipes, with cutoffs to lengthen or shorten the walk.
Grand Parade and Nature trails
Flat, family-friendly loops among the spires, ideal for a low-effort first look at the geology.
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Kodachrome Basin State Park, make Angel's Palace Trail the non-negotiable, add Panorama Trail and Big Bear Geyser only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Grand Parade and Nature trails as the flexible finish.
Turn Kodachrome Basin's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Kodachrome Basin State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Kodachrome Basin State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Kodachrome Basin asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
The park's own campground is the best base, with standard and hookup sites plus bunkhouses inside the gate. Cannonville and Tropic are the closest small towns for lodging and supplies, and Bryce Canyon City adds more rooms about 30 minutes away. Many visitors use Kodachrome as the quiet camp for a Bryce and Grand Staircase loop.
Camping reservations
Kodachrome Basin offers standard and full-hookup campsites plus bunkhouses, and it is calmer than Bryce but still books up on spring and fall weekends.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Utah individual campsites are generally available on a four-month rolling window, with group sites further out. Reserve early for the shoulder-season weekends.
Where to book or verify
Official Utah State Parks page with campground, bunkhouse, and fee details.
Official Utah State Parks reservation portal, or call 1-800-322-3770.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Car strategy
Kodachrome Basin is about 20 miles south of Bryce Canyon, reached by paved Cottonwood Canyon Road from Cannonville off Scenic Byway 12.
Car strategy
A car is the practical way to reach the park, and the surrounding Grand Staircase backroads can require high clearance, so check conditions before leaving pavement.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Yes. Kodachrome Basin is quieter than Bryce, has easier trails, and offers a year-round campground only about 20 miles away, which makes it a strong base for a Bryce and Grand Staircase trip.
The day-use fee is about $10 per private vehicle, with lower rates for pedestrians and cyclists. Camping is charged separately by the night.
Most are easy to moderate. Angel's Palace and the Grand Parade are short and approachable, while the Panorama Trail can be extended into a longer moderate loop.