Kodachrome Basin State Park
| Kodachrome Basin State Park | |
| Utah State Park | |
 Shakespeare Arch
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| Named for: Kodachrome film | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| State |  Utah |
| County | Kane |
| Location | Cannonville |
| - elevation | 5,800 ft (1,768 m) [1] |
| - coordinates | 37°30′2″N 112°0′2″W / 37.50056°N 112.00056°W |
| Area | 2,240 acres (906 ha) [2] |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Management | Utah State Parks |
| Visitation | 52,654 (2010) [3] |
| IUCN category | V - Protected Landscape/Seascape |
  Location of Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah
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Kodachrome Basin is a state park of Utah, USA. It is situated 5,800 feet (1,767.8 m) above sea level, 12 miles (19 km) south of Utah Route 12, and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park. It is accessible from the north from Cannonville by a paved road and from the south by Road 400, a dirt road from the Page, Arizona area to Cannonville, passable for most vehicles in dry conditions. A longer but paved route to Tropic from the south is also available via US-89 and SR-12.
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[edit] Geology
Geologists believe Kodachrome Basin State Park was once similar to Yellowstone National Park with hot springs and geysers, which eventually filled up with sediment and solidified. Through time, the Entrada sandstone surrounding the solidified geysers eroded, leaving large sand pipes. Sixty-seven sand pipes ranging from two to 52 meters have been identified in the park.[1]
[edit] History
Evidence near the park suggests that Native Americans were the first to wander through the area. Around the turn of the 20th century, cattlemen from Cannonville and Henrieville used the basin as a winter pasture. In 1948 the National Geographic Society explored and photographed the area for a story that appeared in the September 1949 issue of National Geographic. They named the area Kodachrome Flat, after the then relatively new brand of Kodak film they used.[4] In 1962 the area was designated a state park. Fearing repercussions from the Kodak film company for using the name Kodachrome, the name was changed to Chimney Rock State Park, but renamed Kodachrome Basin a few years later with Kodak's permission.[4]
[edit] Recreational activities
Primary recreational activities in Kodachrome Basin State Park include photography, wildlife watching, camping, and hiking the park's several trails. Popular sites include Chimney Rock, Shakespeare Arch, and Ballerina Geyser. Stargazing is popular as the park sees little light pollution. Grosvenor Arch, an intricate double arch located ten miles south east of the park in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a popular destination for many visitors. Kodachrome Basin State Park has 27 campsites, two of which are group sites as well as available showers. Campsites can be reserved at Reserve America. There are also six cabins inside the state park for lodging owned by Scenic Safaris. The Kodachrome Basin Blog has contact information for reserving the cabins. Horseback rides are also available throughout the park and surrounding wilderness areas.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Kodachrome Basin State Park: About the Park". Utah State Parks. http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/kodachrome/about. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
- ^ Utah.com. "Kodachrome Basin State Park". Utah.com LC. http://www.utah.com/stateparks/kodachrome.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
- ^ "Utah State Park Visitation". Utah State Parks Planning. http://stateparks.utah.gov/about/visitation. Retrieved 2011-02-09.
- ^ a b "Kodachrome Basin State Park - Utah". Todd's Desert Hiking Guide. http://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Utah/Misc/MiscUT2.htm.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kodachrome Basin State Park |
