Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park was established in 1962 and it is currently owned and managed by the Utah State Parks and Recreation Division. The park was named after the famous Kodak film brand, due to its colorful rock formations resembling photos taken on Kodachrome film. Although the park has been around for decades, it remains relatively unknown in comparison to many of Utah's other state parks.

Today, Kodachrome Basin State Park in Cannonville, Utah is a popular destination for sightseers and outdoor adventurers alike. With its unique array of scenery and recreational activities, visitors can explore the park’s rugged terrain or take part in one of the numerous guided tours offered by the park. The park also offers plenty of opportunities for photographers, as its colorful rock formations and other natural features make for some stunning shots. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, Kodachrome Basin State Park is sure to delight!

Kodachrome Basin State Park is also renowned for its unique geology. The park sits atop sandstone formations that have been carved by wind and water over millions of years, creating a spectacular landscape of tall spires, natural arches, and colorful rock formations. The park also features three major canyons and several smaller ones, providing hikers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to explore.

The most well-known part of this glorious state park is the 67 monolithic stone spires, which are called sedimentary pipes, that are all across the 2,240 acres of land. Elsewhere in the park, visitors can observe a variety of geological features such as fossilized dinosaur tracks and sandstone hoodoos. These sedimentary pipes were created in a unique way; anciently this basin was thermally active and water geysers created vertical passages in the sediment. When these geysers ceased to function, sediment filled the empty vertical geyser passages and this sediment became much harder than the surrounding sediment. Over time the surrounding sediment was eroded away and this left the tall hardened sediment towers standing. As such, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a fascinating destination for those looking to learn more about the Earth’s geology. The park is still actively forming as the wind and water continue to shape its incredible sandstone formations. This makes it an ever-evolving landscape that offers visitors something new to explore each time they visit.