Surrounded by some of Utah’s most popular national parks, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a land of redrock cliffs and spires, under wide-open skies, where you can enjoy spectacular canyon country scenery—without the national park crowds. The park derives its peculiar name from the landscape’s striking contrasts in color, which—at the time of its naming in 1949—was synonymous with Kodak’s high-contrast photography film (before digital took over). The park is approximately 160 miles east of St. George, and is sandwiched between Bryce Canyon to the west, and Grand Staircase–Escalante to the east. As with most of Utah’s canyon country destinations, sun and heat are ample, water and shade are scarce, and summer thunderstorms are common. With 54 drive-in campsites in three small campgrounds, Kodachrome Basin is ideal for RV, trailer and tent campers. Basin Campground is the largest of the three, with 37 standard and full-hookup sites—as well as great views. This location offers water faucets, flush toilets and showers. Bryce View Campground has 11 standard sites with tables, fire rings, and also has impressive views. This campground offers water and vault toilets. The Arch Campground is located on a gravel road and has 6 sites with tables and fire rings. This smaller site has water and vault toilets. RVs and trailers must be under 25 feet to access this location. There is one tent-only group campsite. Seasonal campsite rates range from $20–$30/night; reservations accepted for some sites; generator hours are limited to 12noon – 4pm. To tour Kodachrome Basin is to travel back in time, as the roots of the park’s sculpted cliffs, pipes and spires are more than 180 million years old. Observing the rock formations’ colorful layers tells a dramatic story of how the land changed over time—including when the area was covered by a vast, inland sea. The best way to see the basin is by taking a hike on one of the park’s five trails. These range from a barrier-free, 0.5-mile interpretive trail to the more moderate—and spectacularly scenic—6-mile Panorama Trail. If you don’t feel like hoofing it yourself, you can let a horse hoof it for you. Red Canyon Trail Rides offers family-friendly guided horseback rides on the Panorama Trail, where you can enjoy the canyon scenery from the comfort of a saddle. Mountain biking and horseback riding is permitted on some trails.
