- Home
- Places To Go
- Parks & Outdoors
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 28F
An off-the-radar expanse of photographic and OHV bliss, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is where weekend warriors can leave footprints in soft sand or adventure on the vast off-road playground. You can also walk among old juniper, and pinion and ponderosa pines. The dunes were formed by the continual erosion of the nearby Navajo sandstone cliffs and estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 years old. The state park was first opened to the public in 1963.
About the Park
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. The park stretches 3,730 acres. It's the only major sand dune field on the Colorado Plateau and the only place in the world where you can find the Coral Pink tiger beetle. The park has two concessionaires that generally operate from March-October. There is a daily use fee per vehicle, the annual Utah State Parks pass is also accepted. Tour buses are allowed. Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times. Elevation is 6,000 feet.
A day-use entry fee is required, purchase in-person or online. The Annual Utah State Park Pass is accepted for park entry.
Activities and Guided Tours
All of the dunes are open for hiking and kid-friendly playing. You can rent sand boards and sand sleds onsite. About 90-percent of the dunes are open for off-highway vehicles (OHV), a popular park attraction. Four-wheelers generally check out the 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 tours are available from ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. (UTV) and All Ways Adventures (rappelling/rock climbing). 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.
Read the Stories
-
5 Expert Tips to Prepare for Your Utah National Parks Adventure
Written By Visit Utah
3 minute read
If you’re planning to visit Utah national parks for a hike, learn important tips to maximize your experience and keep you and your family safe.
-
5 Places You Can Try Glamorous Camping in Utah
Written By Melissa McGibbon
Experience the fun and adventure of camping with a side of luxury.
-
6 Steps to a Family MTB Trip on Canyonlands' White Rim
Written By Kristen Bonkoski
2 minute read
Want to take the family mountain biking on the White Rim Trail? Tackle 100 miles of biking and three days of backcountry camping in Canyonlands with the kids.
-
A Guide to the Many Faces of Utah's Green River
Written By Matcha
4 minute read
The mighty Green River carves a path through a dramatic and varied landscape of mountains, canyons and desert for 730 miles across Utah. Whether you have a few hours or a few weeks, experience the diversity of this river yourself by getting on the water.
-
A Photographer’s Guide to Mindful Travel
Written By Kristen Pope
Utah's deserts are a photographer's dream, yet very fragile. Find out how photographers can take a few simple steps to care for this unique environment.
-
A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
Written By Kristen Bor
2 minute read
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.
-
A Winter’s Desert: Visiting Southern Utah in the Slow Months
Written By Brinley Froelich
7 minute read
Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own.
-
Ancient Pictographs, Petroglyphs and Timeless Mysteries
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
Exploring Horseshoe Canyon isn’t for everyone. First of all, the effort to get there is an adventure in itself, but those efforts make the reward — namely, the chance to see up close some of the most significant pictograph panels in North America — even more noteworthy.
-
Backpacking in Canyonlands National Park
Written By Visit Utah
7 minute read
Canyonlands National Park offers a spectrum of backpacking opportunities — from short trips at designated backcountry campsites to longer, adventurous trips that require extensive planning and desert canyon navigational knowledge.
-
Be Prepared for the Southern Utah Backcountry
Written By Kristen Pope
3 minute read
Prepare for a trip out into Utah's rugged red rock backcountry by learning as much as possible about the area before heading out. Stop by a ranger station to educate yourself and pick up necessary permits. Always practice good backcountry ethics and proper safety techniques for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
-
Chasing John Wesley Powell: Six Places to Explore Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers
Written By Heather May
5 minute read
One hundred and fifty years ago a one-armed Civil War veteran set off with nine mountain men on a scientific expedition to map one of the last blank spaces left on the U.S. map: The Green and Colorado rivers. Much of the river remains wild today. Follow Powell's journey here.
-
Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Written By Visit Utah
7 minute read
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
-
Filmed in Utah: 7 Itineraries Through Hollywood's Most Iconic Settings
Written By Visit Utah
Whether hitting the Sundance Film Festival in Park City and Salt Lake City in January or visiting Utah throughout the year, you’ll find yourself near some Utah’s most iconic and most filmed places.
-
HBO's Westworld. See it now, in Utah.
Written By Visit Utah
2 minute read
Where is Westworld filmed? Much of Castle Valley is actually located in Utah. Learn more about the setting of your favorite television series.
-
How to Support Local On Your Utah Road Trip
Written By Elainna Ciaramella
5 minute read
Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local.
-
Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Written By Andrea David
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
-
Paradise and Slickrock
Written By Stephen Trimble
Utah's national parks seen through a lifelong relationship with Capitol Reef
-
The Complete Winter Camping Packing List for Staying Warm in Southern Utah
Written By Jeremy Pugh
For most travelers, Southern Utah winters prevent comfortable camping, and occasional snowfall can make outdoor adventure a little more challenging. With a little extra planning, good layers, and the right equipment, however, you can enjoy Utah's national parks in the solitude of winter.
-
The Freedom of Wild Places
Written By Kristen Pope
6 minute read
Clutching my hat with both hands, the wind roared and whipped by as I stood atop a rugged red rock formation, gazing out into the vastness of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park.
-
Top 10 Family-Friendly Hikes in Utah National Parks
With so many destinations, and so many trails, it can be difficult to decide where to begin in Utah's Mighty 5® national parks. Here are 10 family-friendly hikes, two per national park, you cannot miss.
-
Touring the Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway
Written By Kristen Pope
4 minute read
Prepare to be captivated as you drive along Indian Creek Utah’s Corridor Scenic Byway. Explore the Needles District, Canyonlands NP and admire Utah’s natural beauty.
-
Traveling with Dogs: The Mighty 5 National Parks
Written By Visit Utah
At all of The Mighty 5® national parks, activities with pets are extremely limited, and every time your dog is out of your vehicle, it must be restrained in a crate, cage, or on a leash (of no more than 6 feet).
-
Utah Liquor Laws Visitor Guide — Yes, You Can!
Written By Matcha
3 minute read
In preparation for your trip to Utah, here’s what you need to know about Utah's liquor laws, especially how and where to buy a drink in the city or in the rural parts of the state.
-
Valley of the Gods Bed & Breakfast
The Valley of the Gods B&B is a gem for travelers looking for a convenient, comfortable place to spend the night in Bears Ears.
-
Winter in Southeastern Utah: Arches and Canyonlands
Written By Jeremy Pugh
3 minute read
Want to avoid the Utah national park crowds? Plan a winter Southeastern Utah trip. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude.
OHV Safety Tips
Utah's mountains and deserts are fragile, remote and often adjacent to private land, so it is important to heed all rules and restrictions in order to protect yourself and the landscape. While enjoying the dunes, remember to follow these off-roading rules:
- All riders must have an orange whiptail flag on their off-road vehicle.
- It's strongly recommended that all riders wear a properly sized, fastened helmet and required by law for riders under 18.
- DUI laws apply to OHVs. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive and don’t ride.
- Youth must be certified to legally operate an OHV on Utah public lands. Learn more about certification.
- Obey OHV manufacturers warnings stating not to carry passengers. Carrying passengers changes the balance, weight and handling of the machine and can lead to serious accidents.
What's Nearby
-
Dixie National Forest
Cedar City, UT
This forest stretches for 170 miles across southern Utah. Visitors can experience its brilliant red spires and cliffs by car or by hiking one of the nature trails in the canyon.
-
Grand Staircase-Escalante
Escalante, UT
The allure of the Grand Staircase region — the bulk of which is contained in the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument — is phenomenal. Sun-drenched Utah backcountry spreads out well beyond the visible horizon from the road, whether you’re traveling along the The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12, or on Highway 89.
-
Kanab
Kanab, Utah is classic American West, surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and vistas of sagebrush. Kanab's self-proclaimed title, "Little Hollywood," is fitting for its many abandoned film sets.
-
Springdale
Springdale, UT
As the gateway to Zion National Park and nestled along the North Fork of the Virgin River, Springdale is an ideal place to get outfitted for adventure in Zion and numerous other parks, monuments, and recreation areas of the western Colorado Plateau and the desert southwest.
-
Zion National Park
Springdale, UT
Whether you are trying to catch your breath while climbing the trail to Angel's Landing or watching the shadows constantly change the mood of the Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park is always ready to quench your appetite for outdoor wonder.
Showing 0 of 0