A beautiful drive along Cottonwood Creek Drive takes you to this rare double
natural arch, one of the most unusual featured of the Grand Staircase-
Escalante National Monument.

A beautiful drive along Cottonwood Creek Drive takes you to this rare double natural arch, one of the most unusual featured of the Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument.

Bird's eye view of the park

Grosvenor Arch

The southern part of the WSA includes the north end of The Cockscomb, a north
south oriented ridge, prominent in south central Utah. The western portion
consists of cliffs and benches dissected by southwesterly trending drainages.
Wahweap Creek drains southward for 4 miles in the central part of the WSA. A
waterfall on a perennial stream blocks the entrance to Dry Valley Creek
Canyon, which remains in its natural condition and may be a relect ecosystem.
About 200 acres are within this area, which may have important scientific
values.

The southern part of the WSA includes the north end of The Cockscomb, a north south oriented ridge, prominent in south central Utah. The western portion consists of cliffs and benches dissected by southwesterly trending drainages. Wahweap Creek drains southward for 4 miles in the central part of the WSA. A waterfall on a perennial stream blocks the entrance to Dry Valley Creek Canyon, which remains in its natural condition and may be a relect ecosystem. About 200 acres are within this area, which may have important scientific values.

Mud Spring Canyon

The Kanab Field Office, managed within the Paria River District, is located in
Utah’s Kane County, near the Utah-Arizona border, Lake Powell, and Arizona's
Grand Canyon. East of Kanab are the Vermilion Cliffs that run north through
open country. The Paria River cuts through the Vermilion Cliffs traveling
through the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area on the Utah-Arizona
border. Backpackers who visit this area hike through narrow, twisting canyons
of the Paria River. Off road enthusiasts frequent the Coral Pink Sand Dunes to
capitalize on this unparalleled recreation opportunity. Landscapes in this
area differ from other areas as the abundance of sandy soils and red rock
formations intermingle with several archeological treasures to provide some
unique sight-seeing and day hiking opportunities. Sage brush, grass, and
pinyon juniper ecosystems intermingle with small pockets of ponderosa pine
trees, providing for vast acres of world class mule deer habitat and trophy
animals that spend their summer months thriving on the Paunsaugunt Management
Area.

The Kanab Field Office, managed within the Paria River District, is located in Utah’s Kane County, near the Utah-Arizona border, Lake Powell, and Arizona's Grand Canyon. East of Kanab are the Vermilion Cliffs that run north through open country. The Paria River cuts through the Vermilion Cliffs traveling through the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area on the Utah-Arizona border. Backpackers who visit this area hike through narrow, twisting canyons of the Paria River. Off road enthusiasts frequent the Coral Pink Sand Dunes to capitalize on this unparalleled recreation opportunity.

Landscapes in this area differ from other areas as the abundance of sandy soils and red rock formations intermingle with several archeological treasures to provide some unique sight-seeing and day hiking opportunities.  Sage brush, grass, and pinyon juniper ecosystems intermingle with small pockets of ponderosa pine trees, providing for vast acres of world class mule deer habitat and trophy animals that spend their summer months thriving on the Paunsaugunt Management Area.

Kanab Field Office

The varied terrain includes plateaus, benches, a portion of The Cockscomb
ridge, scattered sand dunes, rock knobs and domes, and natural arches.All of
the portion recommended for wilderness designation is of outstanding scenic
quality. The Paria River marks the eastern edge of the Grand Staircase, the
southern edge of the High Plateaus of the Utah Section of the Colorado Plateau
Physiographic Province.The Grand Staircase was so named by early geologists
because it is an ascending series of colored cliffs and terraces. At Bull
Valley Gorge and Deer Creek Canyon, in the northwestern part of the WSA, the
eastern end of the White Cliffs of the Grand Staircase is 600 to 1,000 feet
high and is cut by eight canyons. East of the Paria River, the same sandstone
as the White Cliffs is exposed but is more sculped and dissected. A portion of
the terrace of the Vermillion Cliffs, the Grand Stair below the White Cliffs,
is in the southwestern portion of the WSA. Below the cliffs are multi colored
badlands.

The varied terrain includes plateaus, benches, a portion of The Cockscomb ridge, scattered sand dunes, rock knobs and domes, and natural arches.All of the portion recommended for wilderness designation is of outstanding scenic quality. The Paria River marks the eastern edge of the Grand Staircase, the southern edge of the High Plateaus of the Utah Section of the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province.The Grand Staircase was so named by early geologists because it is an ascending series of colored cliffs and terraces. At Bull Valley Gorge and Deer Creek Canyon, in the northwestern part of the WSA, the eastern end of the White Cliffs of the Grand Staircase is 600 to 1,000 feet high and is cut by eight canyons. East of the Paria River, the same sandstone as the White Cliffs is exposed but is more sculped and dissected. A portion of the terrace of the Vermillion Cliffs, the  Grand Stair  below the White Cliffs, is in the southwestern portion of the WSA. Below the cliffs are multi colored badlands.

Paria Hackberry 202

Pillars shaded red, pink, white, yellow, and gray are only the start to the
greatness of Kodachrome Basin. There are also natural arches, views for days,
and a stunningly stark landscape viewable from numerous well-planned trails.

If ever a state park was made to be photographed, it is Kodachrome Basin. In
fact, in 1948, members of the National Geographic Society visited the scenic
park to photograph a feature for the magazine, and gave it the nickname
“Kodachrome” after the popular Kodak film of the day.

Kodachrome Basin covers 2,240 acres of canyon country and is surrounded by
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument on three sides. With its close
proximity to other popular destinations down Cottonwood Road, it makes for a
spectacular base camp or a stopover on an event-filled Road to Mighty
itinerary. Make a reservation on the Utah State Parks reservation website.

Pillars shaded red, pink, white, yellow, and gray are only the start to the greatness of Kodachrome Basin. There are also natural arches, views for days, and a stunningly stark landscape viewable from numerous well-planned trails.


If ever a state park was made to be photographed, it is Kodachrome Basin. In fact, in 1948, members of the National Geographic Society visited the scenic park to photograph a feature for the magazine, and gave it the nickname “Kodachrome” after the popular Kodak film of the day. 


Kodachrome Basin covers 2,240 acres of canyon country and is surrounded by Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument on three sides. With its close proximity to other popular destinations down Cottonwood Road, it makes for a spectacular base camp or a stopover on an event-filled Road to Mighty itinerary. <a href="http://utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/kodachrome-basin-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=UT&parkId=345501" rel="nofollow">Make a reservation on the Utah State Parks reservation website</a>.

$8/car $4/Utah seniors (62 and over). Camping fees start at $16/night.

If ever a state park was made to be photographed, it is Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Utah State Park

Colorful Pipes and Spires of Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin covers 2,240 acres of canyon country and is surrounded by Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

The Road to Kodachrome Basin

Some geologists believe that the park's iconic spires were formed because the area was once filled with hot springs and geysers.

Contrasting Sandstone and Junipers at Kodachrome Basin

Kodachrome Basin State Park

#### **About The Monument**

The Monument is also an outstanding biological resource, spanning five life-
zones - from low-lying desert to coniferous forest. Deep within this vast and
austere landscape, the Anasazi and Fremont cultures made contact in the period
AD 950-1100, leaving behind rock art panels, occupation sites, campsites and
granaries. Stepping further back in time, fossil excavations have yielded more
information about ecosystem change at the end of the dinosaur era than any
other place in the world. The Monument’s size, resources, and remote character
provide extraordinary opportunities for geologists, paleontologists,
archeologists, historians, and biologists in scientific research, education,
and exploration. This unspoiled natural area remains a frontier with countless
opportunities for quiet recreation and solitude.

**To learn more, visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Homepage here.**

<h4>About The Monument</h4>

The Monument is also an outstanding biological resource, spanning five life-zones - from low-lying desert to coniferous forest. Deep within this vast and austere landscape, the Anasazi and Fremont cultures made contact in the period AD 950-1100, leaving behind rock art panels, occupation sites, campsites and granaries. Stepping further back in time, fossil excavations have yielded more information about ecosystem change at the end of the dinosaur era than any other place in the world.  The Monument’s size, resources, and remote character provide extraordinary opportunities for geologists, paleontologists, archeologists, historians, and biologists in scientific research, education, and exploration. This unspoiled natural area remains a frontier with countless opportunities for quiet recreation and solitude.

<a href="/node/9540" rel="nofollow">To learn more, visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Homepage here.</a>

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The southern part of the WSA consists of benches and canyons and the northern
portion is composed of ridges divided by canyons.The diversity of plant life
enhances the observation of ecology. In the upper portion of Paradise Canyon,
the most colorful sandstones in the WSA form cliffs.Two unnamed sandstone
monoliths or fins above Alvey Wash are prominent scenic landmarks in the
northeastern portion of the WSA.

The southern part of the WSA consists of benches and canyons and the northern portion is composed of ridges divided by canyons.The diversity of plant life enhances the observation of ecology. In the upper portion of Paradise Canyon, the most colorful sandstones in the WSA form cliffs.Two unnamed sandstone monoliths or fins above Alvey Wash are prominent scenic landmarks in the northeastern portion of the WSA.

Death Ridge

Paria Hackberry WSA

Cliffs, hills, and the blue-gray shale badlands for which the WSA is named,
characterize the study area.The WSA houses a number of endangered species and
one plant species which is eligible to be listed.

Cliffs, hills, and the blue-gray shale badlands for which the WSA is named, characterize the study area.The WSA houses a number of endangered species and one plant species which is eligible to be listed.

The Blues WSA

The paleontological values contained within the WSA are of scientific value.
Invertebrate and vertebrate specimens are found in the Straight Cliffs.The
Straight Cliffs, raising 2,000 feet above the Escalante Valley floor, are a
scenic landmark in southern Utah. The cliffs are the dominant topographic
feature between the Town of Escalante and Lake Powell, and provide spectacular
scenic views of the Escalante River drainage, the Waterpocket Fold, Boulder
Mountain, and the Henry Mountains.

The paleontological values contained within the WSA are of scientific value. Invertebrate and vertebrate specimens are found in the Straight Cliffs.The Straight Cliffs, raising 2,000 feet above the Escalante Valley floor, are a scenic landmark in southern Utah. The cliffs are the dominant topographic feature between the Town of Escalante and Lake Powell, and provide spectacular scenic views of the Escalante River drainage, the Waterpocket Fold, Boulder Mountain, and the Henry Mountains.

Grosvenor Arch

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