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Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Cannonville
view websiteCottonwood Canyon Road, 9 miles south of Route 12
Cannonville, UT 84717
800-322-3770
435-679-8562
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Scenic Landmark
Park
Bicycling
Skiing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Kodachrome Basin State Park Description
The rocks at Kodachrome Basin State Park record 180 million years of geological history. Here, in a dramatic, Old West cowboy movie setting, red and white colored cliffs and large columns of sedimentary pipe-shaped rocks jut out from the ground. Many kid-friendly hikes leave from the park (they'll give you a map and suggestions of where to hike when you drive in) and you can also go for a horseback ride, take a spin in an old-fashioned stagecoach, and stay at the park's campground or the cute cabins next to the small store inside the park.
Kid Tips
School-Age Kids: The half-mile Nature Trail is a good one for younger kids.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Send them up to climb the vertiginous Eagle View Trail which, though only a quarter of a mile long, is very steep. A placard at the trail head explains that this was the site of an original pass over the mountains used by early inhabitants.
Planning Notes
- Prepare for heat. Although some of the park is at higher elevations, expect it to be hotter here in the summer than at Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Arrange horseback rides in advance. Call the Trailhead Station (435-679-8787), the small store inside the park that sells, among other things, blessedly cold drinks.
- Less crowded than other parks. Since it's off the beaten track and less well known, Kodachrome welcomes far fewer visitors than other parks. If your family is interested in southern Utah's geology and hiking but wants to avoid crowds, consider camping here.
Just the Facts
Hours: Summer: Daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Winter hours vary —call ahead to confirm.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 2 - 4 hours
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