National park · United States
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Give it half a day: drive in from Cannonville, walk the 1.5 mi Angel's Palace loop for the basin view, add the 3 mi Panorama Trail if you have two more hours, and arrive before 9:00 in summer — the 55-site campground fills and the lot is small.Give it half a day: drive in from Cannonville, walk the 1.5 mi Angel's Palace loop for the basin view, add the 3 mi Panorama Trail if you have two more hours, and arrive before 9:00 AM in summer — the 55-site campground fills and the lot is small.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- Roughly 2,240 acres (about 9 km²); boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Kodachrome Basin is a small Utah state park on the Paunsaugunt Plateau, about 1,760 m up between Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase–Escalante. Its draw is a cluster of some 67 sandstone pipes — vertical sediment columns up to about 50 m tall — standing in a shallow basin of red and white rock. The National Geographic Society named it in 1949 after Kodak film, for the colour contrast. It is a half-day stop, not a destination park: two hours of trails cover the best of it, and the reason to stay longer is the campground, which is quieter and darker than Bryce.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 1962
Roughly 2,240 acres (about 9 km²); boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Sandstone pipes — nearly 70 of them, up to about 50 m — stand in an open basin you can walk around in two hours.
- Angel's Palace gives a high loop over the whole basin in 1.5 mi, the best return for the least walking.
- It sits 25 mi from Bryce Canyon on Scenic Byway 12, so it fits a Bryce or Escalante day without a detour.
- The campground is small and dark: better night skies and fewer people than the Bryce developed areas.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow on the road; park may be quiet or closed to vehicles (check)
- FebCold; ice on trails
- MarMild days, freezing nights; mud after snowmelt
- AprCool and clear; wind picks up
- MayWarm days, cold nights; wildflowers start
- JunHot by midday; start early
- JulMidday heat and afternoon thunderstorms
- AugMonsoon storms; flash-flood risk in washes
- SepCooling, clear, best walking
- OctCrisp days, few people
- NovCold nights; short days
- DecSnow possible; check road conditions
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer around the campground at dawn and duskAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coyotes and grey foxes (mostly heard at night)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lizards, snakes and ground squirrels on warm daysApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers in the basinMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cannonville
Paved park road south from Scenic Byway 12; signed turn.
15 min
Open the page →
From Bryce Canyon National Park
Drive north-west on Highway 12, then the park road south from Cannonville.
40–50 min
From Escalante
Highway 12 north-west to Cannonville, then the park road.
1 h
From Page or Lake Powell
Long drive via Kanab and Highway 89, or via Cottonwood Canyon Road when dry.
3.5–4.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and trailheads | Entry station, small store, water, and the start of the Angel's Palace and Grand Parade trails. | Open to day visitors with a paid entry. |
| Basin core | The densest group of sandstone pipes, seen from the Panorama and Grand Parade trails. | Open on foot or bike; stay on trail. |
| Campground loops | Basin, Arch and Bryce View campgrounds, 55 sites in total. | Registered campers only. |
| Backcountry and washes | Dry washes and slickrock beyond the marked trails. | Open, but no water and no marked route; flash-flood risk in storms. |
Sketch map
- 1Visitor centre · Headquarters≈37.514, -111.989Map ↗
- 2Angel's Palace Trailhead · Trail≈37.529, -111.992Map ↗
- 3Panorama Trailhead · Trail≈37.523, -111.992Map ↗
- 4Secret Passage · Viewpoint≈37.527, -112.004Map ↗
- 5Cool Cave · Cave≈37.532, -112.015Map ↗
- 6Indian Cave · Cave≈37.524, -111.996Map ↗
- 7Basin Campground · Sleep≈37.518, -111.993Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the visitor centre to the northern trails, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use entrance | US$8–10 | person | 2026 estimate; Utah residents pay less — check current rates at the visitor centre. |
| Day-use entrance | US$20 | vehicle | 2026 estimate for a private vehicle; the per-person rate applies to walk-ins and cyclists. |
| Campsite (Basin, Arch or Bryce View) | US$25–40 | night | 2026 estimate; reserve ahead in spring and autumn. |
| Firewood at Basin Campground | US$10 | bundle | Cash only; bring exact change. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Commercial filming or events permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$8–10
- US$20
- US$25–40
- US$10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Utah State Parks — Kodachrome Basin State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- The sediment pipes and surrounding crusts erode easily; do not climb the formations.
- No drones
- Launching a drone in a Utah state park needs a permit; assume it is not allowed (check).
- Pets
- Allowed in the campground and on roads, but not on the trails; keep them leashed.
- Fires
- Only in provided rings; fire restrictions are common in summer — check at the visitor centre.
- Water
- Bring your own; there is no reliable potable water on the trails.
Where to stay
In the park
Basin Campground
The main loop with the most sites and the showers; reserve ahead in spring and autumn.
In the park
Arch and Bryce View campgrounds
Smaller loops, simpler facilities, quieter.
Near the park
Cannonville and Henrieville
Small motels and lodges 15–20 min away on Highway 12.
Near the park
Bryce Canyon gateway towns
More hotels, restaurants and fuel 40–50 min north-west.
Safety
Heat and no shade medium
Afternoon thunderstorms and flash floods medium
Winter ice and snow medium
No mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, entry station and campgrounds are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Angel's Palace and Panorama involve steep, uneven and sandy sections; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Ask at the visitor centre for the flattest route to see the pipes from the car park area.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are few bins outside the campground.
- Do not touch or climb the sandstone pipes — skin oils and boot wear damage them.
- Buy firewood locally rather than moving it in, to avoid spreading pests.
- Use the vault toilets and pack out what they cannot take.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Expect about US$8–10 per person or about US$20 per vehicle for day use (2026 estimate); Utah residents pay less. Camping is roughly US$25–40 a night. Rates change, so check the current fee at the visitor centre or on the Utah State Parks page before you go.
What are the best hikes in Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Angel's Palace is the best short walk: 1.5 mi with the widest view over the basin. Panorama is the longest at 3 mi and passes Secret Passage and Cool Cave. Grand Parade is a flat 1.5 mi between the rock pipes. All three are exposed, so carry water.
When is the best time to visit Kodachrome Basin State Park?
May, September and October: mild days, cold nights, clear skies and fewer people. June to August is hot by midday with afternoon storms, and December to February can bring snow and ice on the park road.
Do I need a reservation to visit?
No for day use — pay on arrival. Yes in practice for camping in spring and autumn, when the 55 sites fill; reserve ahead or arrive early for a first-come site.
How far is Kodachrome Basin from Bryce Canyon?
About 25 mi, roughly 40–50 minutes by car: north-west on Scenic Byway 12 to Cannonville, then south on the paved park road. It works as a half-day add-on to a Bryce trip.
Can I see the park without hiking?
Yes. The park road and the visitor centre area give views of the pipes, and the Grand Parade trailhead is a short level walk from parking. The best basin views, however, need the Angel's Palace climb.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go