Angels Palace Trail
Kodachrome Basin State Park, UtStunning Views, Fun Rock Formations, and Soaring Heights
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.7 mi
Elevation Gain: 220 ft
Approximate Hiking Time: 45 min to 1.5 hr
Features: Photographer’s Paradise
Nearest Town: Cannonville, Ut
Angels Palace Trail is a photographer’s paradise. Offering up big views of the park, amazing overlooks, and geological wonders the trail is packed with photo ops. Toadstools anyone?
So, if you ever dreamed of hiking Angels Landing in Zion, but weren’t sure you could manage the narrow path and steep drop offs, try the viewpoints on this hike first.
- Trail Condition 100%
- Usage 80%
- Trail Head Easy to Find 80%
- Kid Friendly 100%
Hike Highlights
1. Soaring Heights
Some of the greatest views of the park can be found from the viewpoints on Angels Palace Trail. Note the viewpoints are narrow with steep drops on either side and may not be for everyone….
2. Geology Marvels
There seems to be just a bit of everything on this trail. Keep an eye out for the spires below, “goblins”, and other interesting features.
3. Photographer’s Paradise
Sweeping views, staggering heights, and fun geology are all packed into this short quick trail.
Hike Overview
Trailhead Directions
Enter Kodachrome Basin State Park near Cannonville, Ut. Drive about 1 mile from the Visitor Center on the main park road to the parking area for Angel’s Palace and Nature Trail. The trailhead for Angel’s Palace Trail is located across the road from the parking area.
Hike Details
At the beginning of the trail cross a bridge that runs over a wash before entering the canyon. Follow the trail as it zigs and zags though the bottom of the canyon.
Eventually the trail climbs up the side of the canyon on a narrow path with a reasonable steep drop off.
At the top of this narrow section the trail opens up onto a slickrock top surrounded by rocks that look like Toad Stools or Goblins like those in Goblin Valley.
Continue climbing up the trail following the signs until you reach the top of the canyon.
Two loops run from this point. The trails aren’t very well marked up here so it’s important to remember where you start the loops. Frankly, navigating the trail up here can be frustrating.
While it can be easy to lose the trail at the top, watch for signs of the trail: map indicators, trail markers, areas that appear well-travelled, and arrows painted on piles of rocks.
That said if you walk where you can see the area that you start the loops you really can’t get truly lost.
Start by taking the trail to the right for the smaller upper loop. The first viewpoint overlooks the west side of the park and the Basin Campground. Continue around the loop to the first viewpoint.
Warning! The overlooks are not really suitable for younger children, if you are afraid of heights or falling you also may not want to walk out here. Move over Angel’s Landing, there are no chains, the drop-offs are very steep, and the path is pretty narrow.
Along the trail watch for signs that point out to these overlooks. Only use the ones that are signed as the rock in the area is crumbly. Complete this loop walking back to the area with the goblins where the loop starts.
From here the next loop heads to the south west to another series of overlooks. These viewpoints overlook the Grand Parade Trail below.
It’s also possible to see one of the huge spires in the park. Taking the Grand Parade Trail on the basin floor will bring you close to this spire, but with a completely different view.
Finally, return to the start of the loops over the slick rock and follow the same trail back to the trailhead.
Why is this hike rated easy?
The trail is only 1.7 miles and pretty easy to complete though navigation can be frustrating at the top. Other than the overlooks there are only a couple short areas with drop offs to be aware of.
Warning! The overlooks are not really suitable for younger children, if you are afraid of heights or falling you also may not want to walk out here.
More Hikes to Choose From
Check out this and more hikes in and around Kodachrome Basin State Park and Cannonville, Ut.
Grand Parade Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Ut
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.6 mi
Elevation Gain: 220 ft
Grand Parade Trail runs a loop along the Kodachrome Basin floor that you can hike, bike, or horseback ride your way around.
Nature Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Ut
Difficulty: Accessible
Length: 0.4 mi
Elevation Gain: 27 ft
Learn more about the animals, plants, and geology of Kodachrome Basin State Park on the Kodachrome Nature Trail.
Panorama Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Ut
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Length: 3 – 7.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 574 ft
The Panorama Trail is one of the best trails in Kodachrome Basin State Park. A mixed-use trail with plenty interesting stops along the way.