Kodachrome Basin State Park
Cannonville, UT
Dozens of stone chimneys, called sand pipes, rise from a colourful basin of red and white rock near Bryce. Take the short Nature Trail and the Angel's Palace loop; light is best early or late in the day.
Kodachrome Basin State Park opened in the early 1960s. Members of the National Geographic Society photographed the area in 1948 using Kodak film and nicknamed it “Kodachrome”; the park was previously called Chimney Rock State Park and was renamed with Kodak’s permission. The park has 67 sandstone spires (sedimentary pipes), rising roughly 6 to 170 feet (2 to 50 m) tall. How they formed is disputed.
The park sits at about 5,800 feet (1,770 m), surrounded by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park. There are hiking trails, mountain-bike routes and a campground with showers. The park is open year-round; spring and fall are considered the best seasons. The light is most beautiful early and late in the day.
- Nearest town
- Cannonville, UT
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 37.5180, -111.9930
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and September. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Bryce Canyon National Park
Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest
Toadstool Hoodoos
Big Water Visitor Center
Campsites nearby
- Cannonville KOAMotorhome stopover5 mi from Kodachrome Basin State ParkTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Sunset CampgroundCampsite12 mi from Kodachrome Basin State Park · 99 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- North CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Kodachrome Basin State Park · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Dave's Hollow Dispersed CampingCampsite14 mi from Kodachrome Basin State ParkTentsCaravansFree
- Ruby's RV Park & CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Kodachrome Basin State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- King Creek CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Kodachrome Basin State Park · 37 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Utah · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Kodachrome Basin State Park is in Cannonville, UT, at GPS 37.5180, -111.9930. It is about 9 mi from Tropic.
Can you camp near Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Arch Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 32 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Kodachrome Basin State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bryce Canyon National Park (12 mi), Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest (23 mi), Toadstool Hoodoos (29 mi) and Big Water Visitor Center (35 mi).
When is the best time to visit Kodachrome Basin State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)