Kodachrome basin state park

[DT6]

For those who may have camped here before, do you have an opinion as to which campground is the best in the area? I see Basin Campground, Oasis Group Campground, Arch Campground, and Bryce View Campground.

I'm hoping to take advantage of the dark skies to do some astrophotography while there, so I'd like to avoid tall trees that block the view.

Thanks!

 

[vermilye]

I've only stayed in Kodachrome Basin State Park. There are trees throughout the camping area, but there are also parts of the park that have clear sky views. Here is a page of photos from a 2011 trip - note the ridge that Don is standing on. I wouldn't want to climb up there at night, but it sure gives you a full view of the sky! Kodachrome Basin State Park, 2011

On Edit - here is a photo of the Milky Way & my trailer taken at Kodachrome:

 

[canakiwi]

Arch is full service, the other two no service, but water is available close by. We prefer Bryce View as the sites are a little more spaced and it is often nearly empty in March. It says on the website it is open all year, but in previous years it was closed until March 1. Bryce view is higher than the others and more open (no ridges or bluffs obstructing views)

 

[davidmurphy02]

The main Basin campground has a mix of no hookup and full hookup sites. Bryce view is primitive. Arch is water/ electric and has recently been expanded, more space between sites and is our favorite. Sites 48 - 52 are prime, back-ins facing the rocks. Main basin is also nice, and be sure to check out the showers - absolutely the nicest campground showers you've ever seen.

Here's site 50 in Arch.

 

[DT6]

Nice picture! That proves it is a great star gazing spot, as you would have a hard time getting the detail you got without Bortle 1 night skies. I can't wait to get my scopes out there, thank you.

 

[DT6]

My thanks to Jon, Kevin, Sharon, and David for the great suggestions and information on the campgrounds. Very much appreciated!

 

[UncleTim]

IMHO, Kodachrome Basin State Park is the best! Better than Bryce, due to the crowds.

They're all good! Kodachrome is my fav!

 

[Patandlinda]

IMHO, Kodachrome Basin State Park is the best! Better than Bryce, due to the crowds.

They're all good! Kodachrome is my fav!

Absolutely beautiful !Pat

 

[UncleTim]

That proves it is a great star gazing spot, as you would have a hard time getting the detail you got without Bortle 1 night skies. I can't wait to get my scopes out there, thank you.

This is something a lot of us take seriously. And you will find Dark Sky Parks everywhere. This link might hook you up with what you are after. You may find this useful, if you don't already know about it.

This part of the world is well represented on the International Dark Sky list. Bryce and Kodachrome Basin are both on the list.

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

 

[UncleTim]

Not to slight Bryce.

There is only one park like it. That's why it's crowded.

 

[cpaharley2008]

You guys out west have the best scenery............

 

[DT6]

Thanks for the reference Tim. I was aware of it, but had not reviewed the list for a few years so it is nice to have the link. I agree about taking light pollution seriously and just love this part of the country. I can get detail in my astrophotos in 30 to 60 seconds that takes me 4 to 10 minutes to get when shooting from home. Visually it is no contest. I can see things in my telescopes at these dark sky locations that I can never see from home. It is astonishing the difference a dark sky makes.

 

[DT6]

Also - beautiful image, and nice going catching a bit of light on the canyon wall.

 

[davidmurphy02]

Not to slight Bryce.

There is only one park like it. That's why it's crowded.

For sure! We have found this year that during the shoulder seasons, April and October, it was not at all crowded. And Kodachrome is less than 30 minutes away so easy to base camp there and see Bryce.

 

[UncleTim]

Thanks for the reference Tim. I was aware of it, but had not reviewed the list for a few years so it is nice to have the link. I agree about taking light pollution seriously and just love this part of the country. I can get detail in my astrophotos in 30 to 60 seconds that takes me 4 to 10 minutes to get when shooting from home. Visually it is no contest. I can see things in my telescopes at these dark sky locations that I can never see from home. It is astonishing the difference a dark sky makes.

I may have already shared this before, forgive me if I did.

My neighbor has a website for his work and it is out of this world. Pun intended.

For your viewing pleasure.

veryoldphotons

 

[DT6]

He does nice work, thanks for sharing. This stuff is not easy!

 

[sleepy]

Yeah, thanks for sharing- such beauty in colours.

 

[Mike G]

Those are excellent galaxy photos!

 

[jmarshallescape]

We recently stayed at Basin Campground (Nov '21) and it was amazing. We were told it closes for the season on Dec 1. Basin has the best facilities, but Bryce View and Arches should be open and would be great too. The night skies in that area were incredible!

 

[bhonisch]

For those who may have camped here before, do you have an opinion as to which campground is the best in the area? I see Basin Campground, Oasis Group Campground, Arch Campground, and Bryce View Campground.

I'm hoping to take advantage of the dark skies to do some astrophotography while there, so I'd like to avoid tall trees that block the view.

Thanks!

We have stayed in the Arch Campground. Very private. At this time of the year in 2019 we had the campground to ourselves for 3 days. There are trees, but easy to get full sky views.