Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is an Utah state park in southwestern Utah, located between Mount Carmel Junction and Kanab, south and west of U.S. Highway 89 in Kane County. The park features uniquely pink-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs.
The dunes are formed from the erosion of pink-colored Navajo Sandstone surrounding the park. High winds passing through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin Mountains pick up loose sand particles and then drop them onto the dunes as a result of the Venturi effect. The dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old.
The park allows camping, hiking, off-road vehicle driving, and photography. There is a conservation area of 265 acres, and the total grounds include 3,370 acres. It was established as a Utah state park in 1963.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is open year-round, seven days a week, during daylight hours. The best times to go are spring, early summer and fall, as the temperatures are the most mild and the weather is usually cooperative.
GPS Coordinates:
- Main Entrance, Improved Camping Area, UTV Rentals and Day Use Area: (37.0376488, -112.7319346)
- Meadow Dry Camping & Day Use Area: (37.0680908, -112.7031009)
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Sand Highway, which is a one-way narrow trail in a small canyon on the boundary of the dunes, and the South Boundary Trail, which is several miles long and continues along the eastern side of the main dune area.
Guided UTV tours are available from ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. The park features two campgrounds with hot showers and flush toilets (22 sites are dry camping, 12 sites include water and electricity) and there are two RV dump stations. Advance camping reservations are recommended.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Directions:
From Kanab, Utah: Take Highway 89 north for 10 miles to Hancock Road, designated a Scenic Backway. Hancock Road is seven miles long and meets at a “T” with Yellowjacket Road. Turn left (south) onto Yellowjacket. The main park entrance is five miles up on the left.
The dunes are co-managed by the BLM and Utah State Parks. Please observe proper OHV etiquette and Wilderness Study Area (WSA) regulations when travelling in the Moquith Mountain WSA.
Ancient artwork, drawn by native people centuries ago can be found nearby at South Fork Indian Canyon and Hell Dive Canyon.
Finding Bigfoot
A statue of Bigfoot will be placed in hidden locations within the state park’s boundaries. If you come across him, be sure to take a selfie. Post the selfie to your social media accounts with the hashtags #CoralPinkSandDunes and #SandSquatch.
The statue will be moved periodically, so while you may know the location of him at one point he very well may have been moved to another by your next trip. Park Ranger Patrick Buhr said that the statue adds another fun aspect to an already action-packed park.
Nearby Riding Destinations:
