Kodachrome Basin State Park
Hiking
The park features a number of short trails that are family-friendly. Panorama Trail is a 3-6 mile easy to moderate loop that passes some of the park’s signature features, including the Ballerina Spire and Indian Cave. Shorter hikes are Angel’s Place Trail, Nature Loop Trail and Grand Parade Trail. Make sure to stick to the trail and leave nothing behind.
Mountain Biking
There are three trails accessible to both mountain bikers and hikers in the park. Panorama Trail is the longest, stretching just three miles, but the sandy floor offers more of a challenge. Other connecting trails are Big Bear Geyser Trail and Grand Parade Loop that wind through the stunning scenery.
Horseback Riding
Guided horseback riding tours take visitors through the red sandstone terrain on an excursion lasting up to two hours. For easy access, rides depart from the Panorama Trail, just off of Kodachrome State Park Road.
Stargazing
Some of the most spectacular stargazing can be experienced from Kodachrome Basin State Park. Scenic landscapes by day take a new form at night as the sky lights up and the Milky Way becomes visible. The park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in January 2021, making this place even more special.
Basecamp Towns
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Boulder
Boulder, Utah is a charming town full of scenic beauty. Offering both relaxation and outdoor adventure, there’s a lot to love about Boulder.
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Escalante
Between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and perched on the edge of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, the town of Escalante offers access to some of the most beautiful parts of Southern Utah.
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Panguitch
Panguitch, Utah, captures the enduring pioneer spirit of Utah with its welcoming rural charm and strong sense of heritage.
What's Nearby
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Anasazi State Park Museum
The Anasazi State Park Museum near Boulder, Utah is the former site of one of the largest Puebloan communities in the region. Learn more and plan a visit!
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Bryce Canyon National Park
An alpine forest with as many red rock hoodoos as trees. At dawn and dusk, mule deer graze the forested plateau along the road into Bryce Canyon.
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Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located at Wide Hollow Reservoir. This small reservoir is popular for boating, canoeing, and fishing.
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Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers more than 1.2 million acres of unparalleled opportunities for land- and water-based recreation.
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Grand Staircase-Escalante
The allure of the Grand Staircase region — the bulk of which is contained in the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument — is phenomenal. Sun-drenched Utah backcountry spreads out well beyond the visible horizon from the road, whether you’re traveling along the The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12, or on Highway 89.
Discover More
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15 Must-Do Adventures in Kanab
Looking for fun things to do in Kanab? Check out our list of the 15 must-do adventures in Kanab and start planning your visit today.
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Desert Shutter Speed
After lunch isn't the prime time to head to the desert. Come early or late, and Utah's deserts will reward you with their isolated landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, and stargazing opportunities.
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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
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Hidden Gems Along Scenic Byway 12
When exploring Southern Utah, just about every road is a stunner, featuring views of the red-rock landscape that’s unlike anything else in the country. So when you find a route specifically designated as a scenic byway, you know you’re in for a treat.
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The 10 Top Stops on the National Pioneer Mormon Heritage Area
Here are 10 of the best stops along Utah's Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area’s backroads and byways. Explore rich Mormon historic sites, awe-inspiring canyons and mountains and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
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Tips for Astrophotography
Need tips on how to take pictures of stars? Utah is the perfect location to put tips from an award-winning photographer into action.
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Tropic, Utah: Bryce Canyon Coffee Company and The Stone Hearth Grille
Get an introduction to the best-known restaurants in Tropic, Utah — The Stone Hearth Grille and Bryce Canyon Coffee Company. Prepare your appetite!
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View Millions of Years of Geologic History in an Afternoon
Unlock new levels of understanding about the land you are traveling through, around and on by learning about the geology in Utah.
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Winter Road Trip: Capitol Reef to Bryce
Need winter vacation ideas? The Capitol Reef to Bryce road trip is great for friends, family and group vacations or getaways. Plan your Utah winter road trip!
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Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks
This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Highlights
- Hell's Backbone Grill
- Bryce Canyon Lodge
- Ranger-led Star Programs
- Road Trip Southwest Utah
02
Sandstone Spires & Swimming Holes
Walk the paths of dinosaurs and descend through 200 million years of geologic history in this six-day road trip from Vernal to Kodachrome Basin. It’s a kid-friendly desert drive in search of dino tracks, slot canyons and swimming,
Highlights
- Dinosaur Tracks in Vernal
- Crystal Geyser in Green River
- Hoodoos & Slots of Goblin Valley
- The Red Cliffs of Capitol Reef
- The White Cliffs of Grand Staircase
- Sandstone Spires in Kodachrome Basin
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The Best Week of Your Life
What makes up The Best Week of Your Life? Let’s run the numbers for this one: five national parks, two national monuments, five scenic drives including one All-American Road, two national forests and up to six state parks, including the photogenic Dead Horse Point and Kodachrome Basin.
Highlights
- The Mighty 5 National Parks
- Monument Valley
- All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12
- Roaming Utah's Red Rocks
