When most people plan a trip to southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is an obvious highlight. Its towering hoodoos, striking amphitheaters, and ever-changing colors are unforgettable. But just down the road lies a quieter gem — Kodachrome Basin State Park — and pairing the two creates a trip that blends world-famous sights with peaceful, off-the-beaten-path beauty.

Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park

We started our adventure at Bryce Canyon, where the Scenic Overlook Drive became our warm-up for the trip. This road winds along the rim, with pullouts to some of the most jaw-dropping vistas in the park. Each overlook felt like its own unique work of art — the hoodoos shifting in shape and hue even as the sun gave way to rain and snow!

For hikes, we chose the Navajo Loop Trail, one of Bryce’s most iconic routes. Another favorite was the Queen’s Garden Trail, which we combined with Navajo Loop for a 4 mile and 800 ft descent into the canyon that gave us a deeper look into the amphitheater’s magic.

A Scenic Detour: Grosvenor Arch

On the way toward Kodachrome Basin, we made a side trip to Grosvenor Arch — a double arch towering high above the desert floor. The drive was part of the fun, winding through remote backroads and past sandstone cliffs that glowed in the afternoon sun. Standing beneath the arches, the scale was humbling, and the quietness of the spot made it feel like a secret discovery.

Hiking Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin may be smaller than Bryce, but its trails pack in incredible variety. Our favorite was the Angel’s Palace Trail, a short but scenic loop that winds along ridges and offers panoramic views over the park’s sandstone spires and the Grand Staircase-Escalante beyond. It’s the kind of trail that makes you stop often just to take in the 360-degree views.

Why Stay in Kodachrome Basin When Visiting Bryce?

We chose to camp in Kodachrome Basin State Park rather than inside Bryce, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of our trip. Here’s why:

• Peace and Quiet – While Bryce can get crowded, Kodachrome offered serene mornings and quiet star-filled nights.
  
• Scenic Campsites – Surrounded by red rock cliffs and open desert, every site had a postcard-worthy view.
  
• Proximity to Bryce – At about 40 minutes away, it was still easy to get to Bryce early in the day before the parking lots filled.
  
• Extra Adventures Nearby – Being based in Kodachrome meant easy access to trails, Grosvenor Arch, and other lesser-known gems.
  

By pairing the world-famous landscapes of Bryce with the intimate beauty of Kodachrome, we got the best of both worlds — iconic hikes and overlooks alongside peaceful desert trails and starlit evenings. If you’re planning a trip to southern Utah, don’t just check Bryce off your list… give Kodachrome Basin a few days, and you might find it’s the place you remember most.

---