Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Overview

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab has pink sand dunes formed from eroded Navajo sandstone, blown through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains. The 3,730-acre park allows off-highway vehicle driving, sandboarding, hiking, and camping, with a 265-acre conservation area closed to vehicles. It is home to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, found nowhere else in the world. The park sits at about 6,000 feet in Kane County and opened in 1963 as a Utah state park, preserving dunes that are estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 years old and can shift by as much as 50 feet a year. It also protects much of the remaining population of Welsh’s milkweed, a federally listed threatened plant. Visitors come to ride off-road vehicles, slide down the dunes on rented sandboards and sleds, camp, and photograph the contrast of pink sand against red sandstone cliffs.

Access

The park is in southern Utah between Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction, reached by a paved road that turns off US-89 and runs roughly 10 to 12 miles to the park entrance. It is about 14 miles from Mount Carmel Junction, which is the closest place with hotels, and about 20 minutes from Kanab, and a car is needed. Zion National Park is roughly an hour away and Bryce Canyon about two hours, so the park is often combined with a southern Utah road trip. A day-use fee is charged at the entrance, and the park is open during daylight hours seven days a week. Water, restrooms and showers are available at the visitor center and campground, but there are no services beyond the park boundary except in Kanab.

Seasons

The park is open year-round, with spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for hiking, camping and sandboarding. Summer days are hot and the dark sand can become too hot to walk on barefoot in the afternoon, so plan activities for early morning or evening. Wind can be strong in spring and sends sand across the dunes and into the campground, which also gives the dunes their sharp ripples. Winter is cold and quiet, with occasional snow, but the dunes are open and pleasant on sunny days. Check the park before visiting for current conditions, including any off-highway vehicle restrictions.

Things to Do

Ride Off-Highway Vehicles

The park’s dunes are one of the few places in the region where off-highway vehicles can be driven on sand. A 265-acre conservation area is closed to vehicles to protect rare species, and riders should check current rules and safety tips before riding.

Sandboarding and Sledding

Sandboards and sand sleds can be rented at the park and used on the dunes, making it a favorite for families and for photographers capturing sliders against the pink sand.

Hiking and Photography

Visitors can hike across the dunes and walk the short nature and boardwalk paths in the park. The red cliffs, pink sand and sunrise or sunset light make for striking photographs.

Camp and Learn

A campground and a visitor center with a gift shop make the park a comfortable base, and a Junior Ranger program is offered for kids. Wildlife viewing, including the rare tiger beetle and desert plants, is part of the experience.

Visitor Centers

The park has a visitor center and ranger station near the entrance, with exhibits on the dunes’ geology and wildlife, a gift shop, equipment rentals including sandboards and sleds, and staff who can explain current dune conditions and OHV rules. Hours may vary by season, so call the park at 435-648-2800 or check the Utah State Parks website for current information. Restrooms, showers and drinking water are available.

Camping and Lodging

The park campground is open year-round and has RV sites, tent pads and water-in sites, with showers, restrooms, a dump station and some electric hookups. Reservations are made through the Utah State Parks reservation system, and the campground fills on spring and fall weekends. Outside the park, lodging is available in Mount Carmel Junction, about 14 miles away, and in Kanab, roughly 20 to 30 minutes away, which has motels, inns and restaurants. Orderville, Springdale near Zion National Park and Page, Arizona, are within about one to two hours and offer a wider choice.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from Utah State Parks.