National park · United States
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Give it 2–3 hours, not a day: pay the day-use fee, walk the boardwalk and the half-mile dune trail, and go before 10:00 or after 16:00 — midday sand is hot and the OHV noise peaks. Skip it if you want quiet hiking; the trails here are short.Give it 2–3 hours, not a day: pay the day-use fee, walk the boardwalk and the half-mile dune trail, and go before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM — midday sand is hot and the OHV noise peaks. Skip it if you want quiet hiking; the trails here are short.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1963
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- 3,730 acres (about 15 km²) transferred from BLM land when the park was created in 1963 (check).
- Established
- 1963
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kanab
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a small Utah state park built around one thing: a bowl of iron-stained sand that really is pink, blown through a notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains over the last 15,000 years or so. It is not a hiking park. The visitor centre, a boardwalk and a signed half-mile loop are the whole walking experience; the rest of the dune field is open sand shared with registered off-highway vehicles, which is why the park is noisier and busier than its size suggests. It works as a 2–3 hour stop on the US-89 run between Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction, or as a link in a Zion–Bryce Canyon–Grand Canyon North Rim drive, and it is at its best in April, May, September and October, early or late in the day. Utah state parks charge per vehicle and out-of-state visitors pay more; the America the Beautiful pass does not cover it.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1963.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1963
3,730 acres (about 15 km²) transferred from BLM land when the park was created in 1963 (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kanab.
Why go
- Sand that really is pink — iron-stained grains eroded from Navajo sandstone and blown through a notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains.
- Short, easy walking: a boardwalk and a signed half-mile loop over the dunes, no permit and no long approach.
- The dunes sit between Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction, so they slot into a Zion–Bryce–Grand Canyon North Rim drive.
- Winter sledding on sand, and a campground with showers if you want to stay the night.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold; snow possible; access roads can ice over
- FebCold, often clear; short days
- MarMild days, cold nights; wind
- AprWarm days, cool mornings; snow mostly done
- MayWarm and dry; occasional late snow squall
- JunHot by midday; afternoon thunderstorms start
- JulMonsoon storms; hottest month
- AugMonsoon storms; hot sand
- SepStorms fade; comfortable mornings and evenings
- OctDry, mild, clearest light for photos
- NovCool and quiet; cold after sunset
- DecSnow begins; sledding season on the dunes
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer and jackrabbitsAll year · Most often seen at dawn and dusk around the edges of the dune field. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coyote, bobcat and ring-tailed catAll year · Nocturnal; sightings are uncommon. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tiger salamander and toadsMar–Sep · Breed in temporary pools after rain — the park's unusual wet-season residents. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Raptors (golden eagle, peregrine falcon)Sep–May · Look up along the ridge lines; keep away from nests. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers among the juniper and cactusApr–Jun · Depends on winter and spring rain. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kanab
US-89 north, then the signed Hancock Road turn-off and on to the park entrance.
30–35 min
Open the page →
From Mount Carmel Junction
US-89, signed turn-off onto Yellow Jacket Road, then about 8 miles to the gate.
20–25 min
Open the page →
From Zion National Park (east side)
Drive US-89 east and south to the Yellow Jacket Road turn-off.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Page / Lake Powell
US-89 west towards Kanab, then the Hancock Road turn-off.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and boardwalk | Entrance station, small visitor centre, vending machines, the accessible boardwalk and the signed dune loop. | Open with a day-use fee; the easiest part of the park to visit. |
| Open dune field | The main sand body between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains, used for walking, sand play and sledding. | Open on foot; watch for OHV traffic. |
| OHV riding area | Designated motorised zone on the dunes, with marked routes. | Registered off-highway vehicles only. |
| Ponderosa Grove and backcountry | Picnic area and higher ground with pines, plus rough side roads towards canyon pictograph trailheads. | Open; the pictograph trailheads need a high-clearance vehicle. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance and visitor centre · Headquarters≈37.038, -112.720Map ↗
- 2Boardwalk and dune loop · Trail≈37.036, -112.719Map ↗
- 3Campground · Sleep≈37.035, -112.716Map ↗
- 4Ponderosa Grove picnic area · Viewpoint≈37.045, -112.709Map ↗
- 5Moquith Mountain · Summit≈37.065, -112.745Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Kanab · Town≈37.047, -112.526Map ↗
- 7Mount Carmel Junction · Town≈37.224, -112.680Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park coordinates from the official listing; the dune, campground and picnic points are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-use entrance (Utah resident) | US$10 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; up to 8 people per vehicle (check current rate). |
| Day-use entrance (non-resident) | US$15 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; Utah state parks charge out-of-state visitors more (check). |
| Walk-in or bike-in | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Campground, per night | US$25–40 | site | 2026 estimate; showers on site; reserve ahead in spring and autumn (check). |
| Firewood at the visitor centre | US$5 | bundle | Fires only in the campground's designated rings. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
OHV / ATV use permit or guide
Commercial or guided ATV tour no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10
- US$15
- US$5
- US$25–40
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Utah State Parks — Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Fires
- Only in the designated fire rings in the campground; no fires on the dunes or in the backcountry.
- OHV use
- Ride only in the designated area with a registered vehicle; keep clear of walkers on the open dunes.
- Dune vegetation
- Stay off the plants and the stabilised sand around them — they hold the dune field in place.
- Pictograph sites
- Do not touch, chalk or trace rock art; it is protected and fragile.
- Pets
- Allowed in the park and campground on a leash; not on the boardwalk area if signed otherwise (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes campground
Sites with showers and drinking water inside the park; can be noisy from OHVs, with a noise curfew at night.
Near the park
Kanab
The main base: motels, B&Bs, cabins and RV parks, about 30–35 min away.
Near the park
Mount Carmel Junction
Small cluster of lodges and RV sites at the US-89 junction, about 20–25 min from the gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Getting stuck in sand medium
Monsoon storms and lightning medium
OHV traffic medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The boardwalk and the visitor centre area are the accessible part of the park, with short, level walking from the car park.
- Open sand is soft and uneven; wheelchairs and strollers need wide tyres or should stay on the boardwalk.
Visiting lightly
- Drive and walk on established routes only; new tracks through vegetation take years to heal.
- Pack out all rubbish — there is no bin service out on the dunes.
- Buy firewood locally rather than moving it in, to avoid spreading tree pests.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park?
It is a Utah state park, so you pay a day-use fee per vehicle rather than a national park entry fee: about US$10 for Utah residents and about US$15 for non-residents in 2026 (check the current rate). Walk-in and bike-in visitors pay a few dollars each. The fee covers the vehicle and its occupants for the day, and it is not covered by the America the Beautiful pass.
What are the best hikes in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park?
There are no long trails. The boardwalk and the signed half-mile dune loop from the visitor centre are the standard walk, taking 30–45 minutes. Beyond that you are walking on open sand, which is free-form rather than a marked route. The pictograph trailheads in the surrounding canyons need a high-clearance vehicle and are outside the park proper.
When is the best time to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park?
April, May, September and October give mild days, cool mornings and the best light. June to August is hot by midday with monsoon storms in July and August; December to February is cold with snow, which is when locals come to sled the dunes. Whatever the month, go early or late in the day.
Do I need a permit or reservation?
No permit is needed for day use — you pay at the entrance station. Camping needs a reservation in the busy spring and autumn months. Off-highway vehicles must be registered, and the visitor centre can sell you registration.
Can I bring an ATV or ride the dunes?
Yes, in the designated OHV area with a registered vehicle. The park is one of the few in Utah that openly serves both motorised and non-motorised visitors, so walkers should expect riders on the open dune field.
Is Coral Pink Sand Dunes worth stopping for?
Yes if you are already driving US-89 between Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction or linking Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon North Rim — it is a 2–3 hour stop with almost no walking effort. No if you are looking for a long hike or solitude; the dune field is small and busy with vehicles.
Are there facilities at the park?
A visitor centre with vending machines for drinks and snacks, restrooms, a campground with showers, and a picnic area at Ponderosa Grove. There is no restaurant and no lodging inside the park; the nearest full services are in Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go