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Does Utah have a more underrated state park than Kodachrome Basin? Probably not. This 2,240-acre expanse features stunningly beautiful canyon country, towering arches, and brilliant night skies. It opened in 1963 and earned its name because the National Geographic Society thought its vibrancy compared to the popular color film.
Kodachrome Basin is encompassed by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It’s open from 6am to 10pm. You can visit year-round, but most people choose for the spring and fall. Why? Because that’s when you’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures. Summer jaunts into Kodachrome Basin can quickly bring the threat heatstroke unless you plan ahead with plenty of shade and water.
Activities:
There are amazing hiking opportunities in just about every direction in Kodachrome Basin State Park. The Panorama Loop Trail is a great way to get a feel for the terrain. It’s a moderate ramble of about 3-6 miles (depending on which route you choose). You’ll get wide open views of the park and see many of the area’s highlights.
Another prime option is the Nature Loop Trail, which is short and easy enough for children. In fact, the entire hike is on hard surfaces, which also makes it ADA accessible.
If you want to travel through the park in a different way than your feet, you can bring your bike. There are lots of great trails to ride. Just make sure to bring a tire repair kit and any other supplies you might need, as many of the routes are remote enough that you could easily be stranded in the case of an incident.
Other activities in the park include horseback riding and ATV riding. And if you’re interested in camping, be sure to check out rates and availability here.
Driving Directions:
Kodachrome Basin State Park is roughly 300 miles south of Salt Lake City, near the southern Utah town of Cannonville. Once you get to Cannonville, you can just follow the clearly marked signs to get to the park.
Contact Information:
Kodachrome Basin State Park
P.O. Box 180069
Cannonville, Utah 84718-0069
Phone: (435) 679-8562
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