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Hiking the Panorama Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park is located only 1 hour from Bryce Canyon National Park to the East, only 5 miles down the road from Willis Creek Slot Canyon, and 1 hour West from Escalante, Utah, yet hardly anyone visits this state park. With it’s red rock formations and deep blue skies, the photography options are endless. Kodachrome Basin State Park opened in 1963, and National Geographic had the honor of naming it. It is home to 70 monolithic spires, ranging from 6-170 ft tall.

About

Kodachrome offers 12 miles of trails within its boundaries, with the most popular trail being the Panorama Trail, which boasts half of the parks trail system. The 6 mile Panorama Loop offers sights such as the Indian Cave, Cool Cave, Ballerina Spire, and Hat Shop. The trail traverses rolling terrain, and gentle slopes, all through washes and canyons, and as the name suggests, it leads to a beautiful panorama view of the park.

Directions

From the town of Cannonville, UT head south on Kodachrome Basin Rd for 8 miles, until the paved road meets the dirt road, and turn left into the park.

Trail Info

Distance: 6 miles (full loop) or a 3 mile loop (minus the spur trails)

Elevation gain: 250 ft

Time: 3-6 hours

Dog friendly? Yes, on leash

Kid friendly? Yes

FAQs

How much does this state park cost to get in?

Day use fee is $10/car. Check the Kodachrome Basin website for more fees.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the trails and campground on leash.

What are the park hours?

6am-10pm

Camping info scroll down

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Since my friends and I hiked here on Memorial Day, we got to Kodachrome at 9am so we could beat the crowds. The sun was already beating down on my back, and I knew it was going to get hot quickly.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Panorama Trail parking lot…only one other car on this holiday. Seemed a little weird, but we figured it would get crowded soon enough.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Walk across the road to the official trail, and pass this wood fence.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Within 5 minutes we hiked by the first spire we saw. These are the most distinctive features in the park, and are large columns of sedimentary rock that arise from the basin floor. Geologists are unsure of the exact origin, but there are several theories.

1) Evidence in the rock layers within the park indicate this area had earthquakes which created scoured pathways through overlaying rock layers. These base layers hardened, and overtime erosion has exposed the softer layers, revealing “pipes”.

2) The are remnants of ancient springs. The springs became choked with sediments, which eventually cemented together and became more erosion-resistant that the surrounding rock. Erosion would have also revealed the “pipes”.

3) These pipes were formed from water-saturated pockets buried under layers of other sediments over millions of years. Pressure from the overlaying sediments forced the wet slurry upwards, eventually cementing into hard rock. Erosion stripped away the softer rock layer, again, revealing the pipes.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 We decided to hike the Panorama Trail in a counter clockwise direction, so we started out hiking towards the white rock mountain.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Stopping by “Indian” Cave, looking at the deep grooves into the outside of the cave walls.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Stopping by Ballerina Spire.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Beautiful desert flowers were still in bloom on Memorial Day.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 This area is labeled Hat Shop, but I would only see one rock that could resemble a hat. Not impressed with this section and/or name.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Walking by the “secret passage”.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Rock features that resemble large ovens.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Continuing down the spur trail, towards Cool Cave.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 The trail leading into Cool Cave.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Inside the base of Cool Cave.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Panorama shot inside Cool Cave.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Heading back out onto the main trail.

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 On Panorama Point – the best view of Kodachrome Basin State Park!

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

 Enjoying Panorama Point as a storm passes us to the North.

We were so afraid this trail would be packed with hikers, yet we didn’t see one other hiker the whole 3 hours we were on the trail! It was very odd for a holiday to be this empty, but we were happy with it!

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Panorama Trail

Panorama view looking West. On a clear day you can see Bryce Canyon National Park.

Hiking the Panorama Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park

Same trail, February 2023! 6 years after our first visit!

 

 Camping at Kodachrome

Basin Campground is nestled right at the head of the basin, and offers views of one of the many sand pipes that the park is known for and the surrounded large white hills are within short walking distance from the campground. The Bryce Campground is more primitive, in that there are no hook ups, vault only toilets, and no showers.

 

Campsites

13 reservable full hook up sites

18 reservable standard sites

2 first come first serve full hook up sites

2 first come first serve standard sites

1 reservable double site

1 reservable A.D.A site

 

Campground Amenities

Hot showers

flush toilets

fire logs for $5/bundle

dish washing sink

picnic area

fire rings

water pump at each site

RV dump station

Rates

Check the Kodachrome Basin website for current fees

Camping at Kodachrome Basin State Park

 The Basin Campground is fully paved, which is nice for RVs to pull through easily. There are lots of trees for some shade as well.

Camping at Kodachrome Basin State Park

The tent campsites have space for one car to park, and a designated tent space. The restrooms were extremely clean and the showers looked very luxurious for a campground. We didn’t camp at Kodachrome, but next time I am in the area I definitely would.

 

Trail Map

 

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