Grand Parade Trail

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Ut

Box Canyons, Mixed Use, and Easy Walking

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 2.6 mi
Elevation Gain: 220 ft
Approximate Hiking Time: 1.5 – 2 hr
Features: Box Canyons
Nearest Town: Cannonville, Ut

Grand Parade Trail runs a loop along the Kodachrome Basin floor.  This is a multiuse trail so you can hike, bike, or horseback ride your way around.  While out here, stop to explore the two box canyons along this flat trail while enjoying an easy hike in Kodachrome Basin.

  • Trail Condition 85% 85%
  • Usage 90% 90%
  • Trail Head Easy to Find 100% 100%
  • Kid Friendly 100% 100%

Hike Highlights

1. Box Canyons

There are 2 box canyons (dead end canyons) that can be explored.  They are easy to get into and great for kids to explore and enjoy.

2. Spires

Get up close and personal with a spire on this trail.  There are others that dot the landscape!  Keep an eye out.

3. Easy and Relaxing

As far as hikes go this one is a nice, relaxing one.  The terrain is flat and there are shorter and longer loops making it a great one to get out and stretch the legs.

landscapearcharchesnationalpark
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Hike Overview

Trailhead Directions

There are two ways to access this trail.  The first is located 0.6 miles from the Visitor Center in Kodachrome Basin State Park at the main trailhead head parking for Grand Parade and Panorama Trails.  The trailhead is accessed directly from the parking area. 

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There is also a trail access from the Angel’s Palace/Nature Trail parking area near Basin Campground.  Walk down the road back towards the Visitor Center, the trail access will be signed on the left (east side) of the road.

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Hike Details

Starting from the main trailhead follow the trail to the south in a clockwise direction towards the walls of the box canyons.  The trail follows along the walls offering amazing views of the basin floor, various spires, and the surrounding area. 

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There is pretty good signage for the entrance to the first box canyon. 

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Follow the trail to the end of the canyon about 0.25 miles to the back.  Near the back of the canyon the trail becomes faint, but as box canyons dead end, worst case just follow along the wall while walking in the wash to get back out.

 

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Once you have reached the back of the box canyon take some time to explore.  Remember to stick to the trails that people have already made or walk in the washes to protect fragile desert life.

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Once you’re done exploring return to the main trail and continue on the the second box canyon.  We found the signage to be a bit confusing around the second box canyon, but the key is that both canyons are on the same side of the trail.  The trail to the back of the second box canyon was pretty washed out, but we followed the wash to the back and explored a little.

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Once you’re done return to the main trail to head back to the trailhead.  If you complete the entire loop, you cross by a spire that you can get up close to!

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Finally, return back to the trailhead where you started.  Signage is good at the turn off pointing either to the Grand Parade Trailhead or campground.

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Why is this hike rated easy?

The trail is flat and the trail is pretty hard packed.  While there are a couple areas that were a bit washed out overall the trail was in good condition and easy to navigate.

More Hikes to Choose From

Check out this and more hikes in and around Kodachrome Basin State Park and Cannonville, Ut.

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