Take a scenic ride from Panguitch, Utah to Kodachrome Basin State Park, stopping at Red Canyon, showcasing vibrant red rock landscapes and Mossy Cave, with its Bryce Canyon-like formations and beautiful waterfall. Embark on a relaxed drive from Panguitch, Utah, to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a route filled with striking landscapes and fascinating stops. As you head out from the charming town of Panguitch, your first stop could be the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Nestled along Highway 12, this area offers vibrant red rock formations that preview the dramatic scenery of Southern Utah. Stroll through its easy trails or simply admire the towering hoodoos and cliffs that glow in the sunlight. Continuing your journey, stop by Mossy Cave, a hidden gem that feels like a piece of Bryce Canyon. Here, you’ll find a unique blend of towering red rock spires, a small cave, and a scenic waterfall. Though not lush like its name suggests, the area provides an opportunity for a short, rewarding hike with Bryce-like views and the refreshing sight and sound of flowing water in a desert landscape. The drive then winds through more of Utah's scenic beauty before you arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Known for its colorful, layered rock formations, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into a natural painting. The park is perfect for hiking, photography, or simply soaking in the vibrant surroundings. Whether you're spending the day exploring or just passing through, this laid-back drive offers a taste of Southern Utah's natural wonders.

Hell's Backbone is a scenic route in Utah that winds through dramatic canyons and rugged landscapes. The road, known for its breathtaking views and challenging terrain, offers an unforgettable adventure for intrepid travelers. Hell's Backbone is a scenic byway in southern Utah that offers a thrilling journey through some of the state's most rugged and remote landscapes. Stretching between the towns of Boulder and Escalante, this 38-mile route navigates the spine of a high plateau, providing breathtaking views of deep canyons, sheer cliffs, and dense forests. The road, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, includes the famous Hell's Backbone Bridge, a narrow span that arches 1,500 feet above the canyon floor, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding wilderness. Travelers on Hell's Backbone can expect a mix of gravel and dirt roads, often narrow and winding, making it a challenging drive best suited for high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Along the way, several pullouts and viewpoints invite visitors to stop and take in the dramatic scenery, while numerous hiking trails beckon those looking to explore the backcountry. This remote and less-traveled route provides a sense of solitude and adventure, capturing the wild beauty and rugged spirit of Utah's backcountry.

Cedar Breaks National Monument's vibrant cliffs and hoodoos, carved by erosion, form a breathtaking amphitheater. Overlooks like Point Supreme offer panoramic views of its colorful beauty, framed by subalpine forests and dramatic sunsets. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a stunning natural amphitheater located in southern Utah, perched at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Its vibrant, multicolored cliffs showcase layers of limestone, shale, and sandstone eroded by wind and water over millions of years, creating a breathtaking landscape of spires, fins, and hoodoos. The amphitheater, about three miles wide and over 2,000 feet deep, provides a visual spectacle reminiscent of Bryce Canyon, but with its own unique high-altitude charm. The area is known for its subalpine forest, offering a cool retreat in the summer and vibrant wildflower meadows, with delicate blooms that peak in mid-July. Several overlooks around Cedar Breaks offer spectacular views into the amphitheater and beyond. Point Supreme, the highest overlook at over 10,350 feet, provides a panoramic view of the colorful cliffs and valleys below. Sunset View Overlook is aptly named for its dazzling sunsets that illuminate the red and orange hues of the canyon walls. Chessman Ridge Overlook offers a striking view of Cedar Breaks' natural amphitheater, framed by dark green Engelmann spruce and subalpine firs. From any of these overlooks, visitors can appreciate the grandeur of the landscape, which shifts dramatically with changes in light and weather.

Hole in the Rock Road winds through Utah’s remote desert, leading adventurers to stunning sites like the surreal Cosmic Ashtray, the unique rock formations of Devil's Garden, and the historic Batty Pass Caves. Hole in the Rock Road is an iconic, rugged backcountry route that takes explorers deep into Utah’s Escalante Desert. Originally blazed by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s, this unpaved road now invites adventurers to discover some of the area’s most unique and remote attractions. Stretching over 60 miles, Hole in the Rock Road is surrounded by sweeping vistas, colorful desert formations, and landmarks that offer a fascinating look into both natural and human history. Along the journey, visitors can hike to incredible sites like the Cosmic Ashtray, a surreal, crater-like sandstone formation that appears almost alien in its design, carved by millennia of wind and water erosion. Further along, Devil’s Garden showcases a striking collection of sandstone hoodoos, arches, and towers that feel like stepping into a natural sculpture garden, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography. The Batty Pass Caves add a touch of mystery; these man-made caves, carved into the cliffs, were used by the Batty family as a unique homestead in the early 20th century. Hole in the Rock Road is more than just a drive—it’s an adventure that promises solitude, spectacular scenery, and a glimpse into the past. Its many side trails lead to secluded wonders, perfect for those seeking to explore Utah’s lesser-known desert marvels.

Kodachrome Basin State Park is one of Utah's lesser visited gems. Well, lesser visited when compared to the Big 5 National Parks. During our visit in July, we found that we had the entire campground we stayed in (Bryce View) almost all to ourselves. At most, there was ever only one other family in the section we were in at the same time. We thought it strange, because while it does get a little warm during the days in the summer, by night, it is often in the low 60's to upper 50's. We even experienced one night that dipped into the 40's. So for us, that's perfect camping weather. And what a place to have all to yourself. If you watch this video, you will not only learn about the 3 amazing campgrounds inside of Kodachrome, but you'll see the amazing amenities you get too, like showers, a laundry, access to fire wood in the campground, running water and toilets, and even ice cream (in the visitor center). In fact, to date, this state park's campgrounds and camper services are the best we have ever experienced in our Campvue or Cactus Atlas Career. Watch the video and see for yourselves!