Utah - Shakespeare Arch, Kodachrome Basin State Park

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Shakespeare Arch, Kodachrome Basin State Park

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Kodachrome Basin State Park > Shakespeare Arch

Shakespeare Arch - view west through the arch

Southeast of the central area of Kodachrome Basin, several dirt tracks cross the mostly flat surrounding land; one goes to the large sand pipe known as Chimney Rock, while another heads south to the trailhead for Shakespeare Arch, quite a concealed feature at the edge of a isolated sandstone outcrop. The arch is just visible from the main approach road to the state park but was not discovered until 1976, by a ranger searching for a coyote den in a seemingly unremarkable corner of the region, since which time it has become one of the visitor highlights and is reached by a very easy 1/4 mile trail.

The Trail: The path curls around the far side of the rocks, over undulating muddy ground with scattered shrubs and cacti, and ends before the arch which is only recognisable as such when right underneath. A much better view is obtained by climbing the cliffs a little way to one side then traversing back round behind the arch, but this is not particularly recommended. The top also has good views over most of the basin to the northeast.