


Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
About
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers an otherworldly playground where kids can experience the thrill of sledding down massive pink and coral-colored sand dunes year-round. This unique desert landscape provides endless opportunities for adventure, from sandboarding and ATV riding to simply running and rolling down the soft, towering dunes that feel like a giant natural sandbox.
Highlights
- ✓Sledding and sandboarding down massive pink sand dunes
- ✓Unique coral-colored sand that's soft and safe for play
- ✓Wide open spaces perfect for running, jumping, and rolling
- ✓Scenic views of surrounding red rock formations
- ✓Off-highway vehicle area for families with ATVs or sand buggies
Pro Tips
- 1.Bring plastic sleds, boogie boards, or cardboard for sand sledding,they work great and are much cheaper than buying specialty sandboards. Wax the bottom with candle wax or cooking spray for extra speed.
- 2.Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat and enjoy the most beautiful lighting for photos when the dunes glow pink and orange.
- 3.Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen,there's no shade and the sand reflects heat intensely. Also bring a small tarp or blanket to create a base camp area.
- 4.Wear closed-toe shoes or water shoes as the sand can get extremely hot. Bring extra clothes and plastic bags for the car ride home, as sand gets everywhere.
- 5.The dunes area closest to the parking lot is perfect for younger kids, while adventurous families can hike deeper into the dunes for bigger slopes and fewer crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for active dune play. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid extreme heat and enjoy stunning golden-hour lighting. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, especially during Utah's spring break season.
What to Know
Day-use fee is $10 per vehicle. The park has basic restrooms and picnic areas but no food services, so bring all supplies. The nearest town is Kanab, about 20 minutes away. The sand can be challenging for strollers; baby carriers work better for little ones.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, but summer temperatures (June-August) can exceed 100°F, making midday visits uncomfortable. Winter months can be surprisingly cold with occasional snow dusting the pink dunes, creating unique photo opportunities. Spring brings wildflowers around the dunes' edges. The OHV area may have restrictions during extremely dry conditions.
Nearby Eats
In Kanab (20 minutes away), try Rocking V Cafe for family-friendly American fare with a creative menu, or Escobar's Mexican Restaurant for kid-approved tacos and burritos in a casual atmosphere.
More Activities Near Springdale
Huber Wash
Huber Wash offers an easy, family-friendly trail through stunning red rock landscapes that's perfect for introducing young children to hiking in Southern Utah. The manageable distance and relatively flat terrain make it ideal for little legs, while the dramatic Zion-area scenery provides plenty of photo opportunities and natural wonders to spark kids' curiosity about geology and nature.
Moki Mac River Expeditions
Moki Mac River Expeditions offers unforgettable family rafting adventures on the Virgin River with experienced guides who specialize in making kids feel safe and excited. Located just outside Zion National Park in Springdale, these trips combine gentle rapids perfect for first-timers with stunning red rock canyon scenery that will wow the whole family. They offer age-appropriate options so everyone from young children to teens can participate in this quintessential Utah outdoor experience.
The Narrows
The Narrows offers one of the most unique hiking experiences in America where families literally walk through the Virgin River between 1,000-foot tall canyon walls. This bucket-list adventure combines the thrill of wading through water with the awe of Zion National Park's stunning red rock formations, creating memories that kids will talk about for years.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park offers families an unforgettable outdoor adventure with towering red rock cliffs, kid-friendly trails, and the fun Riverside Walk where children can splash in the Virgin River. The scenic drive through the park is stunning enough to captivate even restless little ones, while easy trails like the Weeping Rock and Lower Emerald Pools provide achievable hiking goals that build kids' confidence in nature.