Is This Utah or Mars? Driving Cottonwood Canyon Road to Kodachrome Basin 4K @AdventureEveryDay
Is This Utah or Mars? Driving Cottonwood Canyon Road to Kodachrome Basin 4K  @AdventureEveryDay
Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, we’re leaving the pavement behind at U.S. Highway 89 and heading north on the legendary Cottonwood Canyon Road in southern Utah. This 40+ mile dirt track cuts straight through the heart of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, traversing the dramatic Cockscomb fold and some of the most surreal, alien-like landscapes in the American Southwest.

The drive is a masterclass in desert geology—from towering white monoliths and deep red canyons to the jagged ridges that look like they belong on another planet. After navigating the rugged washboards and winding turns, we arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park just as the golden hour light begins to set the sandstone chimneys and spires aglow.

Whether you’re planning your own Utah adventure or just looking for a peaceful, immersive escape into the desert solitude, sit back and enjoy this other-worldly ride.

This drive was filmed in April, and the vibrant spring vegetation adds a nice contrast to the Mars-like landscapes. The condition of the road was overall good, but there were some washboarded sections that were quite harsh. We recommend a vehicle with decent ground clearance, and this definitely isn't a road to try after a recent rain, even with 4 wheel drive.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Descending Into the Canyon
13:05 - Scenic Side View
13:25 - Descending in the Canyon
22:30 - Scenic Side Views
23:15 - Descending into the Canyon
25:00 - Canyon Drive
34:00 - Scenic Side Views
34:40 - Canyon Drive
45:35 - Scenic Stop
46:05 - Canyon Drive
49:10 - Scenic Side Views and Cows
50:40 - Canyon Drive
1:00:15 - Scenic Stop
1:00:55 - Canyon Drive
1:19:25 - Scenic Side View
1:20:10 - Canyon Drive
1:33:00 - *Highlight* Candyland Area Cockscombs
1:39:00 - Canyon Drive
1:47:45 - Grosvenor Arch Aerial View
1:48:35 - Cottonwood Canyon Road
1:56:35 - Scenic Stop
1:57:55 - Cottonwood Canyon Road
2:04:00 - *Highlight* Canyon Scenic Overlook
2:05:55 - Cottonwood Canyon Road
2:18:20 - Water Crossing
2:18:45 - Cottonwood Canyon Road
2:23:30 - Kodachrome Basin Road
2:25:25 - Kodachrome Basin State Park
2:29:30 - Sand Pipe Scenic View
2:30:20 - Kodachrome Basin State Park
2:33:40 - Chimney Rock Road
2:40:05 - *Highlight* Chimney Rock Scenic Views
2:43:37 - Outro

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End Screen Music Credit:
Fractal Man - The Glow of All Things
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soundcloud.com/fractalmanmusic

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Is This Utah or Mars? Driving Cottonwood Canyon Road to Kodachrome Basin 4K

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