If you haven’t heard of Coral Pink Sand Dunes, you aren’t alone. This absolutely surreal Utah State Park is nestled at the very southern edge of Utah’s red rock canyon country, just outside the town of Kanab.
The rolling, rust-colored sand dunes, red-rock cliffs, and hidden slot canyons of Coral Pink Sand Dunes feel more like Mars than planet Earth.
And while it may be lesser known than its famous National Park neighbors like Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes absolutely belongs on your adventure bucket list!
I recently visited Coral Pink Sand Dunes on my 2024 trip to Kanab and Southern Utah. In just one day I had an absolute blast racing through the dunes on a UTV, rappelling down a 60 foot cliff, and of course, trying – and totally failing – to sandboard like a pro down the dunes! 😂
This guide includes everything you need to know to plan a trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, including important planning details, camping and lodging info, rental and tour info, and of course, the best Coral Pink Sand Dunes activities.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co., who provided my tours in Coral Pink Sand Dunes. As always, all my opinions and experiences are 100% honest and totally my own! This page may also contain affiliate links, where I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These sponsorships help keep Brooke In Boots running.
Top Things to Do at Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Here’s a quick look at my top picks for the best things to do at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park:
- Hike and explore the dunes
- Sandboarding
- ATV / UTV driving on the dunes
- Rappelling the red cliffs
I’ll dive into how to experience all of these activities, plus some more top picks for the best things to do if you have more time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
Is Coral Pink Sand Dunes Worth It?
With so many incredible spots to see in Utah, it’s hard to pick and choose what’s worth your time. So, is Coral Pink Sand Dunes worth it?
If you’re passing near Kanab and Southern Utah, I’d say YES, Coral Pink Sand Dunes is worth it, even if you only have an hour or two – or even a full day!
This hidden gem in outside Kanab, UT is not just a photographers dream, but an amazing playground for families, hikers, and adrenaline junkies alike! If you’re heading to Southern Utah, don’t miss experiencing one of the best State Parks in the West.
Entrance Fees & Getting to Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park charges an entrance fee to enter the Park. The charge is $15 per vehicle; $10 for Utah seniors 65 and older.
You can purchase your day use pass at the Entrance Gate or purchase a digital pas ahead of time.
Utah residents can purchase a $125 Annual State Park Pass, here.
Getting to Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is located about 20 miles west of Kanab, in Southern Utah, just north of the Arizona border. The Park is approximately 1 Hour east from Zion National Park via the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, and 2 hours north of the Grand Canyon (North Rim).
To reach Coral Pink Sand Dunes from Kanab, take US-89 North and make a left on Hancock Road, following signs for the Park. Turn left onto Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road. The Park Entrance will be on your left.
To reach the Park from Zion and points west, take US-89 South from Mt. Carmel Junction. Make a right onto Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road, following signs for the Park, which will be on your left.
Facilities at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just inside the park entrance is the Visitor Center, located adjacent to the entrance station, learn about the unique geology and history of the area, and pick up some stickers or a cold drink. The Visitor Center is small – but it does have a pretty cool collection of sand from dunes and deserts across the world.
Inside the Visitor Center you can also rent Sandboards (more details below).
Public restrooms are available at the Visitor Center and at the Accessible Observation Deck.
The Observation Deck and lookout is wheelchair -friendly and provides a large shaded deck with amazing views of the dunes. The adjacent nature trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. It is a great spot to take pictures, have a picnic, or just relax and enjoy the scenery, without getting your feet sandy.
Coral Pink and Dunes State Park Campground
If you want to stay longer at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, there is a small campground located within the Park with 34 sites for tents, RVs, and camping vehicles.
Campsites can be reserved, and reservations are recommended, especially during the busy spring and fall seasons.
Picnic tables, grills, and fire pits are located at all campsites, and most include shade pavilions. Sewer dumps, showers, and potable water are available for all campers.
Campsites 1-22 are located in the “old campground” and do not include electric or water hookups. “Old Campground” sites cost $28 per single site, $55 for double sites.
Campsites 23 – 34 cost $45 per site, and include water and electric hookups.
There are two reservable group campsites, which hold up to 5 camp units.
You can book campsites and view individual campsite descriptions and amenities, here.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Guides & Tours
With nearly 1,500 acres of dunes to explore, red-sandstone cliffs to climb and rappel, and hidden slot canyons, there are nearly limitless ways to adventure in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
If you want to make the most of your day in Coral Pink Sand Dunes, or want to explore beyond climbing and sliding down the dunes, I highly recommend spending at least part of your day exploring with a guided tour.
My incredible guide, Brian from ROAM Outdoor Adventures spent an kick-ass day showing me every corner of this park, including sandboarding, racing our UTV across the dunes (driving was optional – I opted to be a passenger princess 👸) exploring a slot canyon – and finding bigfoot himself!
ROAM is the official outdoor adventure tour company operating out of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. You can find their air-conditioned headquarters just inside the Park Entrance.
ROAM offers dozens of adventures throughout Kanab and Southern Utah. Some of my favorite Coral Pink tours include:
- Cruise & Surf Adventure: 2 Hours. Cruise the dunes in a UTV “Utility Task Vehicle” (a safer alternative to ATV’s with roll cages, roofs, and seat belts) and explore a hidden slot canyon deep in the red sandstone cliffs that surround the dunes, only recently uncovered by the shifting sands. Head back to the dunes for “Sandboarding” – think snowboarding or sledding – only on the sugar-fine red sand! Best for: Everyone!
- Ride & Rappel: 2 Hours. Check out the dunes from above – and get an adrenaline boost on the way down! Ride UTV’s to the Coral Pink Cliffs and clip in for a guided rappel down the cliffs and into the dunes. They’ve got various rappels, ranging from 20 – 60 feet, and no climbing experience is required! Best for: Adventurous families
The Best Things to Do At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Wondering what to do at Coral Pink Sand Dunes? There are tons of activities here, depending on your time, budget, and appetite for adventure.
I saw tons of families with kids playing in the sand and sledding down the dunes. Visitors of all ages should absolutely try their hand at sandboarding, or the much easier sit-down-and-slide sand sledding.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is also an OHV paradise, with 90% of the dunes open to ATV/UTV exploration. Adrenaline junkies and families can explore more remote areas of the park on a guided tour.
Hiking & Exploring the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
There are few designated trails in Coral Pink Sand Dunes – but the dune field is yours to explore! Kick off your shoes, or bring suitable hiking sandals, and head out in any direction. The dunes cover over 1000 acres – but what you see from the parking lot is just a small fraction!
Be warned, hiking up dunes is hard work. Make sure to bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed.
The dunes are at their hottest mid-day, even in winter, so if you plan on hiking try and get there early.
Was that bigfoot? Yes, there is legendary Sasquatch – excuse me – Sandsquatch hidden among the dunes. Or rather, a giant life-sized statue of one, that is.
The park has hidden a giant bigfoot statue *somewhere* in the dunes. Don’t forget to take a selfie if you find him! (Want a guaranteed bigfoot sighting? Check with Park Rangers for an idea of his current location, or take a tour!)
Sandboarding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Apart from walking and hiking the dunes, sandboarding is probably the number one activity you simply have to do while visiting Coal Pink Sand Dunes state park.
Sandboarding is like snowboarding, but instead of snow you ride down the sand dunes. It’s a thrilling – and sandy – experience that all ages can enjoy.
If you aren’t coordinated enough to remain standing on your board (I wasn’t – and neither were most people I saw 😂) you can ride the board like a sled.
Tips for Sandboarding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes:
- Start out on smaller dunes and work your way up to the taller and steeper ones.
- Wax your board. Sandboard rentals include a stick of wax to help you smoothly slide across the sand. I’d suggest applying more wax to your sandboard every other ride. The more wax you apply, the faster you’ll go!
- What goes down – must go back up. Remember that you’ll have to climb back up the dunes after riding down!
Sandboard Rentals
You can rent sandboards from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Visitor Center. Boards are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost is $25 per board per day, and includes wax.
Boards are also included with all sandboarding tours at ROAM.
ATV / UTV Off Roading at Coral Pink Sand Dunes
One of the most unique – and adrenaline fueled things to do at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is off roading with ATVs and UTVs.
OHV vehicles are permitted on about 90% of the dunes, which makes it much much easier to access remote corners of the park for rappelling and slot canyon exploring.
My tour with ROAM included a UTV tour, and I’ll admit that as a first time OHV rider, I was…. hesitant. I usually much prefer to hike 😂 BUT once we took off across the dunes, the whole thing felt like a massive roller coaster – with the most incredible views!
If you really want to explore Coral Pink Sand Dunes, these off road adventure vehicles are a must.
Rappelling & Slot Canyon Exploring at Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Need another shot of adrenaline? How about rappelling down a 60 foot cliff into the dunes?
Rappelling is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope and harness. Basically, it’s rock climbing, without the climbing part! The red cliffs of Coral Pink Sand Dunes make the picture perfect spot for this adventure.
There are varying rappel routes to try out, from an easy 20 foot, to a more intimidating 60 foot drop. Even though I’m a huge scaredy cat when it comes to heights, my guide walked me through all the moves and safety equipment and after a couple of runs I was jumping down the cliffs without any fear.
ROAM offers rappelling as part of their “Ride & Rappel” tour – and it was awesome. If you’re at all interested in injecting a little adventure into your visit to Coral Pink Sand Dunes – don’t miss it!
Want to keep both feet on the ground?
Check out some of the hidden coral pink sand dunes slot canyons. You won’t find these on any map – they were only recently uncovered by the shifting dune sands, uncovering a short but beautiful mini-canyon on the far end of the Park.
You’ll likely need a UTV/ATV to reach this area, so ask your guide to check it out, or talk to the ranger’s for current directions!
More Places to Stay Near Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Located conveniently just outside Kanab, and within driving distance of several major National Parks and Monuments, there are a ton of convenient places to stay near Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
I recommend making the small town of Kanab your basecamp, and exploring the dunes, as well as more adventures to nearby slot canyons like PeakABoo Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
In Kanab, some of my favorite places to stay are:
Cave Lakes Ranch Resort: Located a short distance from Coral Pink Sand Dunes, this incredible AirBnB resort property is the ultimate luxury glamping experience in Kanab! Book one of their luxe glamping tents, boho-chic teepee’s, or the cowboy-luxe cottage. Each room includes a private gas fire pit and access to the resort’s amenities, including a lake and short trails throughout the property to explore the “cave lakes” – literally natural lakes hidden in caves!
Hampton Inn Kanab: If you’re looking for reliable and inexpensive chain hotel, you can’t do better than the Hampton Inn. I’ve stayed here twice during my visits and they’re reliable, clean, in the center of town, and include breakfast.
Best Friends Roadhouse: This chic and super dog-friendly hotel is located in the center of Kanab. All the proceeds go towards supporting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – one of the largest no-kill animal sanctuaries in the country, located just down the road! It’s a win-win to support this amazing organization while staying in their comfortable and chic accommodations.
Compare rates and more hotels in Kanab, Utah near Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park using this map:
More Adventures in Southern Utah
Ready to explore more of the Southwest’s best adventure destinations? Check out my other guides on these epic Southern Utah destinations:
12 Epic Things to do in Kanab and Southern Utah
Exploring Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon aka Red Canyon in Kanab: Directions, Tours & Tips
Exploring Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park In Utah: Sandboarding & More Things To Do
Ultimate 2 Days In Zion National Park Itinerary: Plan The Perfect Weekend In Zion
