Add this stop if you’re planning a trip through Utah. The Pink-Colored Navajo Sandstone sand is beautiful and all throughout the park. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes things to do list is plentiful here, especially with kids!
When we visited the Coral Pink Sand Dunes National Park we were taking a trip all throughout Utah in the United States, more specifically southern Utah instead of northern Utah. We had just visited Zion National Park and wanted to check out more national parks in the area. In visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes we’ve decided it is one of our favorite places to visit and a great way to complete your Zion/ Utah road trip.
When we got there the parking lot was relatively empty, but we did arrive at the sand dunes pretty early. We recommend arriving early no matter what time of year you decide to make your visit, even if it is the best time of year for cold dunes and cloudy skies.
Not only for the reason of empty parking lots but to take advantage of cold temperatures and chilled sand while you can. But if you prefer to arrive later in the day, the park is open 7 days a week during daylight hours.
The parking lot is also wheelchair accessible. Next to the parking lot are of course bathrooms, with signs explaining food and drink are prohibited and as always the bathrooms are also wheelchair accessible. The parking lot isn’t that spacious, whereas the Coral Pink Sand Dunes very much are, stretching about 3,730 acres is another reason to arrive early. With so much to do and see you need all the time available to you.
After getting out of your car and possibly using the bathroom, there’s a small mostly paved trail up to an overlook structure where you can take a seat, and get great views of the sand dunes. As well as take some further away photos.
This is also a spot to leave your shoes (if you want to) to make sure no loose sand particles get into your shoes as you walk the dunes. We left our shoes and socks on, as the rest of the walk, while mostly sandy does have a few rocks, sticks, and thorns lining the ground. Overall the walk is about five minutes give or take to actually get to the dunes, and very easy.
There is a very slight incline but then it declines once again and levels out. Before you do decide to go into the dunes, it might be worth stopping at the visitor center beforehand and checking out what rentals they might offer.
We never went into the visitor center, but we did pay the $15 entrance fee, brought down to $10 for Utah seniors who are 65 and older. Although the fee is $15 we got a veterans’ discount bringing our payment to $8. They also have a day-use fee for drones that is $8 for all you drone pilots looking to get some overhead footage from the beautiful blue skies. Make sure to pay the drone fee or run the risk of getting caught by a park ranger! There are also tours and rentals you can pay for while at the dunes.
If you’re looking for things to do at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes there’s a ton to keep you busy. If you’re looking for things to do in Kanab near the Coral Pink Sand Dunes then check this out.
As mentioned above there are a few things you can rent at the sand dunes, one being sand boards. They can be rented at the visitor center for 25$ and must be returned 30 minutes before closing time.
Many people come to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes to sled down the huge hills of sand, we did not get the chance to rent any but while exploring the sand dunes ran into a nice Irish couple living in their RV who let Addy borrow their sand sleds. It’s admittedly a little difficult and nothing like surfing but very fun, it can be a little sketchy at first because of just how steep and huge the dunes are, but it’s definitely worth doing at least once.
You can also rent Coral Pink ATV tours, which you get to drive along the dunes and ATV trails. Doing an ATV tour is considered the best way to see the Coral Pink Sand Dunes quickly. We once again did not do this but we did see others doing this with the terrain vehicle.
The dune buggies get to ride right up along the sides of the dunes and it does look very fun. Just be careful to not accidentally run someone over, and vice versa as the ATVs do get close to the tops of the dunes every now and then.
Another tour that we were not aware of at the time we visited is the Utah Rappeling at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. This tour takes you to a canyon, where below you, you can see the sand dunes. This tour is for private parties only, morning or afternoon tours are available, all ages are allowed and the tour is of course guided.
All of these are fun on-site things to do, but we recommend booking ATV rentals and Rappeling tours before making your trip to the sand dunes. You can do so by clicking this link here.
While technically everything listed here are outdoor activities, we thought it would be easier to break it up into rentals and tours (which are only a few hours at the most) and activities that could take more time, causing you to spend more time outside with the aged ponderosa pine trees.
We did not do camping but it is certainly a great option at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. There are four different options and different fee’s associated with each
Once again we recommend you head over to the official site, using this link here.
While camping costs a fee, hiking does not. While we think all are worth visiting there are a few different nature trail’s to choose from. So we’re here to help you decide which will be the most fun during your trip. We only did the short hike to the dunes themselves but there are a few other hikes to explore while surrounded by the beautiful ponderosa pines.
This hike is about 0.8 miles, an out-and-back trail, and is considered a fairly easy route. This trail is pretty popular for walking and of course hiking. The best times to check out this trail are during early spring all the way through to November, but even if you aren’t visiting within this window it’s still a nice, short hike to do. This trail is pet-friendly and dogs are welcome to be off-leash in certain areas so keep that in mind.
A 2.2-mile loop, it takes around 50 minutes to complete and unlike the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Trail, it is not pet friendly regardless of a leash being on or off your four-legged family member. This of course is the most popular hiking trail, being the dunes themselves so running into people is very likely.
This hike isn’t in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes itself, but very close and worth checking out even though it’s not to popular or known about. There’s a scenic drive to the trail and once you get there the trail is equally as beautiful. Be wary of loose sand on this drive though. South Fork Indian Canyon Trailhead is a 0.9 mile out and back hike, and it is considered a medium-difficulty hike. Once again a great trail for walking and hiking, we’re not too sure if mountain bike usage is allowed.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a great place to check out while visiting southern Utah, the park is open year-round and a great destination to visit with your family, with a lot of fun things to do! We really enjoyed this state park and consider it one of the best things to do while in Kanab.
Hopefully this post answered all your Coral Pink Sand Dunes things to do questions. If you’re looking for a place to stay near Zion National Park, check out this review on Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Utah is 28.4 miles from Zion National Park, which is about a 38-minute drive. Of course not accounting for traffic fluctuations that might occur.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes National Park is in Kanab, Utah. The exact address of the park itself is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Kanab, UT, 84741
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