This Utah State Park Is a Less-crowded Alternative to Nearby National Parks—and It Was Named After How Photogenic It Is

Utah’s natural beauty is legendary; following California and Alaska, it’s the state with the most national parks. While the “Mighty Five”—Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion—are all visually impressive in their own right (to say the least), they’re not the only parks you should check out during a Utah road trip. In fact, there’s an incredible 2,240-acre park just down the road from Bryce Canyon that offers a similar experience, just with fewer fellow visitors. From July 2024 through July 2025, Kodachrome Basin State Park saw just under 180,000 visitors, while Bryce Canyon gets nearly 2.5 million visitors annually. 

“Kodachrome is known for its 67 monolithic spires that vary in shape, size, and color, and we have 15 miles of hiking trails with trail lengths varying from 0.5 miles to nine miles,” park manager Brandon Baugh tells Travel + Leisure.  So instead of hoodoos, like the ones you’ll see in Bryce Canyon, the park features those aforementioned sandstone spires, or sedimentary pipes, and they range from six to 160 feet tall. There are several theories about how they were formed—some believe the area was once filled with geysers and hot springs—but one thing’s for sure: They’re incredibly photogenic. 

And that’s exactly how the park got its name. “Kodachrome” refers to the Kodak film known for its vibrant, rich colors. When a group from the National Geographic Society visited the park in 1948 to snap photos for the magazine, they allegedly gave it the nickname “Kodachrome Flat,” after the landscape’s own palette of contrasting colors. Later on, Kodak gave legal permission for the official name change. 

Today, Kodachrome Basin State Park, located near the town of Cannonville, continues to draw both amateur and professional photographers alike. The $10 per-vehicle day-use fee grants access to its breathtaking vistas, amazing hiking trails, and more.

What to Do

Hiking is, unsurprisingly, one of the best things to do in Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Baugh has a couple of trail recommendations. “Panorama, with all of its loops, is a great day hike. It is also one of our two bike trails,” he says. The route covers three to six miles on the west side of the park—passing by Big Bear Spire, Ballerina Spire, Secret Passage, and Cool Cave—and it’s described as easy to moderate. “Angels’ Palace offers a spectacular overlooking view from approximately 150 feet above the basin,” Baugh adds. The 1.5-mile hiking-only trail (no horses or bikes) is one of the most popular routes, and it’s also great for watching the sunset. Mountain bikers are free to explore Panorama Trail as well as the Big Bear Geyser Trail and the Grand Parade Loop.

“Kodachrome Basin also offers an 18-hole disc golf course, a 3D target archery course, and a four-mile equine-only trail,” says Baugh, who also mentions that the park has “63 campsites between three campgrounds, two bunkhouses, and four Santa Fe Cottages,” so there’s the option to stay overnight as well. Two of the campgrounds are open year-round, and the facilities have restrooms (with modern rain shower heads), firewood, a dump station, dog waste stations, and a comfort station. You’ll definitely want to make reservations before your trip, though; according to the state’s tourism board, sites fill up quickly. 

Camping overnight will also allow you to take part in another one of the park’s main activities: stargazing. In 2021, Kodachrome Basin State Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park, so you can expect to get stunning views of the Milky Way and various constellations when the weather permits. 

Best Time to Visit

“Spring and fall are the best times for comfortable temperatures; they are also our busiest seasons,” says Baugh. Both seasons are known for their wide range of temperatures—think warmer days and cooler nights—so pack accordingly (with lots of layers). 

Kodachrome Basin State Park is open year-round, so don’t discount the less-busy seasons. In the summer, though, you’ll need to mind the heat. “July and August are hotter months, with highs typically staying in the mid to upper ‘90s, very rarely hitting 100,” he says. Summer also brings on rainstorms with lightning and flash flooding. In the winter, temperatures can drop well below freezing at night, but you do get picturesque winter scenery. 

How to Get There

While Bryce Canyon Airport (BCE) is technically the closest airport to Kodachrome Basin State Park, most travelers will fly in and out of either St. George Regional Airport (SGU)—served by United, American, and Delta—or Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). From SGU and LAS, plan for a 3- or 4.5-hour drive, respectively. Having your own car will also give you the freedom you need to see other nearby sites, including the Anasazi State Park Museum, Bryce Canyon, and the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park.