Round Trip Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5808 - 5931 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Angel's Palace
Fee: $10/vehicle
Attractions: Scenic geology
The Angel's Palace trail is located south of Cannonville, Utah in the Kodachrome Basin State Park. Beginning near the Oasis Group Site the trail climbs 150 feet above Kodachrome Flat before traveling around a bench that provides exceptional views of the basin and the beautiful multicolored cliffs that surround it.
From Cannonville drive south on the Kodachrome Road for 9 miles to the parks entrance.
Continue past the Visitor Center to the Oasis Group Site where there is a restroom and a parking area large enough for vehicles pulling trailers. The Angel's Palace trail begins on the east side of the road from the parking area.
The trail starts out crossing a wooden bridge over a little wash near a walk in picnic ramada.
From there the trail heads into a shallow draw where a sign reminds hikers to be cautious of the possibility of encountering a rattlesnake.
At the back of the draw the trail makes a gentle climb up to a bench that overlooks Kodachrome Flat.
Once on the bench the trail travels around its parameter providing ever changing views along the way of the valley below and the cliffs above.
One of the parks many sandstone pipes adds its own character to the trails scenery.
Caution should be exercised anywhere near cliff edges where the ground can be soft and crumbly.
Hoodoos and chocolate drop rocks reminiscent of those at Goblin Valley decorate part of the area.
If anything stirs in the mind the imagery of an Angel's Palace it has to be this particular view. This is how the second box canyon on the Grand Parade trail appears from above.
The Angel's Palace trail provides many opportunities to view Kodachrome Basin from an elevated position with a great overview of some of the other trails. Campers may like to take advantage of the trails close proximity to the campground to enjoy a memorable sunset that includes distant views of Bryce Canyon National Park. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.