We were looking forward to coming back to Bryce Canyon National Park because of it’s collection of natural amphitheaters consisting of orange, red, and white hoodoos. We were less than an hours drive from Escalante, Utah. Nearby was Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
In 1948, the National Geographic Society came to the area and named the area Kodachrome after one of my most favorite color films for outdoor photography. Kodachrome film was popular for 74 years because of it’s vivid, realistic colors, but it was discontinued in 2009.
There are 67 sandstone spires or columns, also called sand pipes.
Kodachrome is about 20 miles away from Bryce Canyon National Park and at an elevation of 5,800 feet.
We hiked the Angels Palace and Nature Trails. Neither was strenuous and there were views at every turn. Kodachrome was a worthwhile stop and if we are in the area again, we will stay at their campground.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is not a canyon because it wasn’t formed by a river. It was formed by frost and erosion of sedimentary rock from rain runoff.
The rim at Bryce Canyon is at 8,000 feet, but parts of the canyon views are at over 9,000 feet elevation. Hiking at 8,500 feet was a little more demanding, but well worth it.
The area was settled by the Mormons in the 1850s. It was named after Ebenezer Bryce who homesteaded the area in 1874. He had cattle, but eventually left for better pastures.
Bryce Canyon was made a National Park in 1928. It is definitely one of our favorite parks.
The hoodoos are up to 200 feet high. A hoodoo is a tall spire of weathered rock. Bryce has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. They are commonly found in the Colorado Plateau and Badlands.
We walked the Rim trail, which is dog friendly and had stunning views. Based on the number of foreign accents, it seems to be a popular international destination.
It was difficult to not see an arch.
There were deer, antelope, and plenty of chipmunks and squirrels for Jake to get excited over.
Queen’s Garden Trail
We enjoyed a hike amongst the hoodoos. The skies were an incredible dark blue because of the altitude. Then we had lunch at Bryce Canyon Lodge. The bison stew was delicious.
Queen’s Garden Trail.
