Utah Coral Pink Sand Dunes

ByElizabeth

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a unique and beautiful natural area located in southern Utah close to Kanab, known for its vibrant pink sand dunes (it seemed more orangish-red than pink to us, but maybe in a different light it’s pink?).

The sand is super fine and really soft, so it gets in every nook and cranny. Be prepared to keep finding sand for days. It is an amazing place where you can spend a few hours as you are passing by on a road trip or it is also the perfect place to camp and stay for a few days.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Sand Sled

Getting There

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is in southern Utah, about 20 miles west of Kanab and 40 miles southeast of Zion National Park.

Cost of Visiting Utah Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a state park, so you will need to pay an entry fee found here or you can use your Utah State Park Pass if you have one.

Parking at Utah Coral Pink Sand Dunes

There is a nicely paved parking lot by the Visitor Center. There is a lot of sand in the parking lot, so once you get out of the car, you will get to experience the sand.

First Things First

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Visitor Center

Start your trip off with a stop at the Visitor Center. At the Visitor Center, the Park Rangers can help you decide where you want to explore. You can learn about some of the plants and animals that survive in the harsh environment of the sand dune. You can also see different colors of sand from around the world, which was really cool to see.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Visitor Center

Junior Ranger Program

While at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Visitor Center, make sure you get a Junior Ranger booklet. Once the acctivities are complete, you can turn it into the rangers and get a Junior Ranger Badge. My kids are obsessed with getting badges and this is their favorite thing to do at State and National Parks.

Coral Pink Jr Ranger

Top 5 Things to Do at Utah Coral Pink Sand Dunes

1. Sandboarding and Sand Sledding

The park is famous for its fine coral-pink sand that is perfect for sandboarding and sand sledding. This is definitely the best way to experience the soft, fine sand (but taking sand toys is also fun)! Rent or bring your own sandboard or sled and experience the thrill of sliding down the incredible dunes.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Utah

Renting Sandboard or Sled

We rented a sandboard and a sled from the Visitor Center. It cost us $50 for both ($25 each), but it was worth every penny and the rental was for the whole day! They also gave us wax for the bottom of the boards, which is a necessity. We tried going down without the wax and it was MUCH slower.

How to Sandboard

Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but you don’t need special boots. In fact, we just did it in our bare feet! We were amazed that the sand was not burning hot even though it was a warm day in June. You will want to start by applying wax to the bottom of the board. You don’t have to apply the wax before every run, but you will notice that the board starts going slower after a couple of runs, so just take a few seconds and put some more on. Our kids had never been snowboarding, so it took a few runs for them to figure out which foot they wanted in front, but after they figured that out, they learned quickly. The hardest part was walking back up the deep sand dune after riding down.

Sand Boarding Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Choosing the Right Dune

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has a variety of dunes to explore, ranging from smaller slopes to larger and steeper ones. We started with a small slope close to the Visitor Center. That did not work well because it was not steep enough. We moved farther out into the dunes, and it was much easier with a little more incline. We tried the really tall sand dune, but the trek to the top was too much for the kids, so we decided to stay on the smaller hills.

Utah Coral Pink Sand Dunes

2. Hiking and Nature Trails

Explore the park’s hiking and nature trails to discover the diverse flora and fauna of the area. The dunes are home to unique plants and wildlife that have adapted to the sandy environment. We were there at the end of June and there were pockets of beautiful yellow flowers that contrasted with the pink sand. The dunes also offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Flowers

3. Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Riding

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a popular destination for OHV enthusiasts. The park provides designated areas for off-highway vehicle riding, including sand dunes and open riding areas. If you have your own OHV, you can enjoy the thrill of exploring the dunes and surrounding trails. If you do not have your own OHV, there are local companies you can rent them from. If you do not want to haul the OHV, there are tour groups that will take you on an OHV ride across the sand dunes.

4. Photography and Scenic Views

The picturesque pink sand dunes make Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park a paradise for photographers. Capture the vibrant colors and unique textures of the dunes at different times of the day. Sunrise and sunset are particularly stunning, as the changing light adds a magical touch to the landscape. If you are lucky, you will get to see the wildflowers blooming!

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Utah State Park

5. Camping and Picnicking

The park offers camping facilities, including both primitive and developed campsites. There are two group sites and 28 individual sites. There is not very much shade, so bring your own. Spend a night under the stars and enjoy the peacefulness of the dunes. There are also picnic areas with tables and grills where you can relax and enjoy a meal surrounded by the natural beauty of the park.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes Parking

What to Pack

The sand dunes are a bit of a walk from the parking lot, so make sure to take everything you need with you. You are completely exposed out on the sand dunes, so make sure to take a hat, water, and sunscreen. You will also want to make sure you have wax if you plan on riding down the sand dune. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture this amazing experience.

Is Coral Pink Sand Dunes Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! It is so much fun to surf or sled down the dunes! If you don’t want to worry about finding sand everywhere, it is a beautiful place to walk around or sit and enjoy.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Recreate Responsibly

Please remember to recreate responsibly so that other people can enjoy it after you. Pack out what you pack in and be respectful to the plants and animals you come in contact with.

Explore Close By

  • Moqui Cave: 14.4 miles
  • The Belly of the Dragon: 15.2 miles
  • Sand Caves: 15.3 miles
  • Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: 16.6 miles
  • Zion National Park: 39.9 miles

Elizabeth is the mother of the Tall Adventure Fam. She is the organizer of chaos and planner of all activities. She had cancer when she was 12 and takes 1000s of pictures of everything to help combat memory issues from chemotherapy. She decided she wanted to share their travel experience so other people can get out and enjoy the world around them, so she started this family travel blog in 2023.

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