The Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has a lot to offer. Some of my favorite adventures include riding ATVs, hiking to ancient ruins and pictographs, and sledding down giant dunes! The incredible sand dunes are estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 years old, and were formed by the continual erosion of the nearby Navajo sandstone cliffs.
Whether you’re tearing through the dunes on an ATV, feeling the rush of sandboarding down steep slopes, or exploring hidden petroglyphs tucked away in the red rock, there’s never a dull moment. Plus, the constantly shifting dunes make it feel like a new experience every time you visit.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Information
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is open year-round, seven days a week, during daylight hours. It first opened to the public in 1963. The park has an excellent visitor center. It’s worth checking out because it has maps, information, and an awesome collection of sand from around the world!
Directions to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
From Kanab, drive north on US 89 for 7.5 miles. Turn left on Hancock Rd. Drive 9.5 miles, and turn left on Coral Pink Sand Dune Road—travel 2.5 miles to the park entrance. Coral Pink Sand Dunes registers in Google Maps. I recommend printing this handy map, courtesy of the Kane County Utah Office of Tourism before you go.
Park Fees
A day-use entry fee is required; it can be purchased in person or online. The Annual Utah State Park Pass is also accepted for park entry.
Camping at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has 22 paved RV sites. Each has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, and access to potable water. Primitive camp spots are also available. Reservations are recommended on holidays and weekends. For information, current prices, and reservations, please refer to the state park website.
ATV Trails: Ride on the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
One of the best things about riding ATVs at Coral Pink Sand Dunes is that you don’t need a set destination—you can simply ride and explore! The massive, ever-shifting dunes create an open playground where you can carve your own path, climb steep sandy slopes, and race down rolling hills. Whether you’re an experienced rider looking for some adrenaline-pumping action or a beginner just cruising and soaking in the views, there’s plenty of space to roam.
But if you’re in the mood for a little adventure beyond the dunes, you can also take nearby trails leading to fascinating historical and cultural sites. The park and surrounding areas are well-marked with signs and posters directing you to petroglyphs, ruins, and scenic overlooks.
On my last trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, we spent hours riding through the dunes, feeling the rush of the open desert, before taking a side trail to the South Fork Pictographs and the Hell Dive Ruins.
Below, you’ll find more details on these incredible sites.
Hiking Trails: Explore the Area
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are primarily known as an ATV playground, but there are plenty of places to hike. The park’s only trail exclusively for hiking is the Nature Trail, a short, half-mile trail. However, there are plenty of unofficial trails you can hike.
Hiking the dunes is a unique experience and quite the workout. Hiking up the steep sand can be challenging, and coming down is a blast. You can run, jump, roll, or cartwheel down the steep sand mountains.
There are also hikes to different ruins and petroglyphs. See information about Hell Dive and South Fork Pictographs below. Both are great, incredible hikes and historic locations, but you need an ATV to get to the trailheads.
South Fork Indian Canyon Pictographs
The South Fork Indian Canyon Pictographs are really fascinating. The ancient rock paintings, created by Native American tribes centuries ago, provide a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the people who once inhabited this region.
What You’ll See
The pictographs are painted onto the canyon walls in shades of red, orange, and white, depicting human-like figures, animals, and abstract symbols. These images were likely created by the Southern Paiute or Ancestral Puebloans, though their exact meanings remain a mystery. Some researchers believe they could have been spiritual or ceremonial in nature, telling stories, marking significant events, or serving as warnings or messages.
Directions to the Pictographs
If traveling from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Visitor Center and Campground, travel North East 3.3 miles to the intersection of Sand Dune Road and Hancock Road, turn right on Hancock Road, and travel 5.9 miles. Turn right on Road 50. Watch for an intersection with a sight directing you to turn left to South Fork Indian Canyon Pictograph Trailhead. The next 1.8 miles became narrow, and the road ended at the point of a ridge. There is room to park and turn around. The hike begins on the well-word trail behind the information sign. I recommend printing this map, courtesy of the Kane County Utah Office of Tourism, before you go.
The Hike to the Pictographs
The hike to the South Fork Pictographs is a 2-mile round trip and relatively easy. From the parking area, walk northeast to locate the path. The trail becomes evident as it continues east and then switches direction after a small drop down through the rocks. You will soon arrive at the South Fork Indian Canyon Pictographs. The pictographs sit at the back of a large alcove, and pictures must be taken from behind the fence 30 feet away.
Hell Dive
Directions to the Ruins
The Hell Dive Canyon Pictographs are in the Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area. The roads required to get to Hell Dive need a 4-wheel drive.
If traveling from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Visitor Center and Campground, travel North East 3.3 miles to the intersection of Sand Dune Road and Hancock Road and turn right on Hancock Road. Turn left on Road 50. At the next intersection, turn right onto Road 51. When the road comes to a T, stay left to the end of the road. When you can’t go further, park and look east. You should see an alcove with a trail that leads toward it. Follow the path until you reach the alcove.
I recommend printing this informative map, courtesy of the Kane County Utah Office of Tourism before you go.
The Hike to Hell Dive
Hiking to Hell Dive is moderately challenging because you have to ascend down a canyon on a trail that is not maintained. The hike is just short of two miles roundtrip (that included looking all around the cave.) You begin by hiking down a lightly worn path toward the alcove to the east. Because of the colorful, symbolic pictographs, you will see what locals call Medicine Man Cave. There are many figures across the wall. The Tiny Feet and the fertility God Kokopelli are some of the most famous. Rocks with deep grooves created by metate grinding can be found outside of the cave.
No barriers prevent a person from walking right up to the ancient paintings. It is of the utmost importance that the area is not disturbed. Do not touch the delicate art, as the oil from our skin destroys the paintings. Do not camp or build fires in the alcove, as the smoke will render irreparable damage.
Playing on the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The sand at Coral Pink Sand Dunes is impressive. It is fun to play and a great place to take photos. You can build sand castles and bury your body in sand, or if you’re more adventurous, you can ride the sand hills. Sandboards can be rented at the visitor center, or you can improvise as we did and slide down the sand hills on a cooler lid!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The best time to visit depends on your preferences for weather and outdoor activities. Here are some considerations:
- Spring (March to May):
- Spring is a popular time to visit as temperatures are generally mild.
- Wildflowers may bloom during this season, adding color to the landscape.
- The weather is usually comfortable for outdoor activities like hiking and dune exploration.
- Fall (September to November):
- Fall is another excellent time to visit, with cooler temperatures and vibrant autumn colors in the surrounding foliage.
- Like spring, fall offers comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
- Summer (June to August):
- Summer temperatures in this region can be extremely hot, often exceeding 100°F (38°C).
- Heat during the summer months can make outdoor activities uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.
- Winter (December to February):
- Winter can bring colder temperatures to the area.
- While the park is open year-round, some visitors may find winter conditions less appealing for outdoor activities.
- Weekdays vs. Weekends:
- If possible, consider visiting on weekdays to avoid larger crowds, especially during peak seasons.
- If possible, consider visiting on weekdays to avoid larger crowds, especially during peak seasons.
Fun Fact
Coral Pink Sand Dunes are the only major dune field on the Colorado Plateau and the only place where the Coral Pink Tiger Beetle can be found.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Always remember to do your part to keep the area beautiful by packing out everything you pack in and not changing the landscape. Respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring, but please don’t touch any pictographs or ancient ruins.
More Hikes in the Area
The Belly of the Dragon near Kanab, Utah, is a man-made drain tunnel resembling a mythical beast’s belly. Hiking through the tunnel itself is very short and easy. Many opt to continue up the wash for about four miles to a nice little slot canyon.
Inchworm Arch, near Kanab, Utah, is a unique, natural arch that resembles an inchworm, hence its name. This unique geological feature is a popular spot for photographers and hikers seeking a lesser-known gem in the area. In terms of length, the hike to Inchworm is relatively short, probably a half-mile to a mile round trip. Getting to the arch is more challenging than the hike itself, as it requires adventuring down a dirt road for several miles.
Peekaboo Slot Canyon near Kanab, Utah, is known for its narrow and beautiful passageways. The slot canyon gets its name from how sunlight peeks through the narrow openings in the canyon walls, creating mesmerizing patterns and colors. To visit Peekaboo Slot Canyon, you need a high-clearance vehicle to get you to the entrance, or you will have a 9-mile round trip hike through some deep sand. From the trailhead, the hike into the slot canyon is less than a mile round trip and is considered easy to moderate.
The Kanab Sand Caves consist of short tunnels and chambers formed within the soft sandstone cliffs near Kanab, Utah. Originally, the sand caves were used for glass mining. Difficulty-wise, exploring the Kanab Sand Caves can range from easy to moderate.