The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Located about 20 miles west of Kanab is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, a Utah State Park preserved by both the Utah State Parks organization and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Encompassing over 3,700 acres, this park is home to the famous coral-tinted sand dunes, which were created by the breakdown of Navajo sandstone during the Middle Jurassic geologic era. The sand gets its coloring from a mix of iron oxides and minerals, and the dunes in the area were created by high winds flowing through the Moquith and Moccasin mountains that border the park. These dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old.
ATV riding is open in 90 percent of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and all of the park is open year-round for hiking and picnicking. And since all of the dunes within the park move up to 50 feet yearly, repeat visitors always have something new to see.
The Sand Caves Trail is a thin, sandy path that takes visitors to the Kanab Sand Caves, which were once part of a glass sand mining operation.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Cottonwood Trail outside of Kanab is an out-and-back trail featuring views of mesas and rolling hills.
Length: 10 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The K-Hill Trail is an easy route along sandstone cliffs, and it connects to other horse riding trails.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a hotspot for ATV riding since the scenic red dunes are ever-changing. ATV riders can come to this park and ride all dunes not marked within the off-limits 265-acre conservation area year-round. Late September and the entire month of October are considered the peak riding season in the park since the temperatures during this time only reach the mid-70s during the daytime.
All ATV riders who come to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes will be required to have valid Utah OHV registration stickers on their off-roading vehicles and pay a daily use fee for every vehicle that enters the park. Guided ATV riding tours are offered as well.
Visitors to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes can bring their own sand boards or sleds, or they can rent them from the park's Visitor Center for $25 a board/sled to ride the sand dunes. Rental boards and sleds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned to the Visitor's Center before sundown.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is home to plenty of unique wildlife, including the Coral Pink tiger beetle that is found nowhere else in the world. Oftentimes, in the spring, snow melts to create small ponds in the valleys between dunes, and there are usually salamanders and toads that come to these small bodies of water. Some other animals you may find roaming the dunes include ring-tailed cats, mule deer, black-tailed jackrabbits, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, bobcats, and cottontail rabbits. Ponderosa pine trees and wildflowers are commonly seen along the edges of the park as well.
These dunes offer great picnicking opportunities, and many visitors bring towels or blankets to sit on while enjoying a meal on the sand in the park. Some benches may also be located outside the Visitor's Center for you to use while eating, too, though it is advised that you bring your own trash bags because there are not many trash bins throughout the park for you to use when you are done.
When you come to camp out in or near the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, consider bringing along stargazing gear since the dunes are far from city lights and often have great night sky views. Especially in the fall, the dunes experience mostly dry, cloudless weather, making for a clear sky. You may want to bring a telescope with you when you camp overnight here, or you can simply bring a towel or blanket to sit on the sand while you look up at the stars.
When you're looking for camping with full hookups, consider staying at a campground that is not managed by the BLM since most of these campgrounds are primitive. You can go RV camping at a place like the Coral Pink Sand Dunes South Campground, which has electric and water hookups for RVs plus restrooms and picnic shelter areas. You can also consider Country Rose RV Park and Campground, which has hookups, a dump station, and free Wi-Fi for guests.
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes offer a Bureau of Land Management free camping option with its on-site dispersed camping. Tents and RVs are permitted to stay on the dunes for up to 14 days at a time with no fees, although no hookups will be offered to campers.
Whenever you visit the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, be sure to pack for the weather accordingly. These dunes offer little to no shade, so wearing light clothing and packing sunscreen may be a good idea. The summer in the dunes can be quite hot compared to the spring and fall, too, so when you visit in the summertime, be sure to bring lots of drinking water to stay cool.
If you're going to stay at a Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, be sure to pack supplies like water for drinking and washing and batteries for battery-operated equipment. Remember, you'll likely be staying in a primitive campground, but you'll be getting closer than ever to the dunes and surrounding area. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All Coral Pink Sand Dunes visitors are asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace Policy, which helps keep the dunes clean and safe for future visitors. This policy asks you to do things like pack up what you pack in, keep pets on leashes in designated areas, and follow the park's local guidelines on preventing wildfires.
To reach the Coral Pink Sand Dunes from Kanab, take Highway 89 North for 10 miles. From there, you will take Hancock Road for seven miles, and then you will reach a "T" zone. After that, turn left onto Yellowjacket and then follow the road for five miles until you find the park entrance on the left.
Ready to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
