Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a short drive from Zion National Park. This off-the-beaten-path park is famous for its recreational off-roading, and it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds in Zion. So here are some of my top Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park photos to inspire your travel plans.
Lesser-Known National Parks To Visit
I recommend visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes on a road trip through Southern Utah. It’s best to stay near Zion and visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes as a day trip. So I’ve rounded up the top glamping, hotels, and vacation homes for your trip. If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, I suggest booking a site inside the state park.
My top recommendations for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park are to go off-roading with Coral Pink ATV Tours, which includes hiking through a slot canyon, walking on the highest dune in the park, sand sledding, and sandboarding.
Here are my best Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Photos to inspire your next trip!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coral Pink Sand Dunes worth it?
Yes! Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a perfect day trip from Zion National Park. Here’s my itinerary:
Arrival Day: Arrive at Zion as early as possible and head to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. Drive the scenic Kolob Canyons Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (easy-moderate, 1 mile, out and back, 100 feet elevation gain).
Day 1: Rent e-bikes and start riding as early as possible. Ride the Pa’rus Trail, then the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Go all the way to the end of the scenic drive, and stop as often as you want. Hike Angel’s Landing on this day (strenuous, 5.4 miles out and back, 1500 foot elevation gain, long drop-offs). You’ll need a hiking permit, so plan your biking schedule to accommodate your permit time.
If you don’t want to hike Angel’s Landing, hike the West Rim Trail until it becomes the Angel’s Landing trail, then turn around. You’ll want to pack out your lunch and then have dinner in Springdale or back at your accommodation.
Day 2: Drive the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, and stop at all the pull-offs on your side of the road. Keep driving out of Zion’s East Entrance. A herd of bison is usually visible on the right a few miles outside of the park. You can turn around if you get to Zion Mountain Ranch and haven’t seen the bison. Have lunch at Cordwood or Co-op Cafe before heading back into the park and stopping at all the pull-offs on the other side of the scenic drive.
Day 3: Hike The Narrows (Bottom-Up route via the Riverside Walk, 9.4 miles out and back). The Narrows hike averages about 6 hours, and the trail is the Virgin River, so you’ll be wading through ankle to waist-deep water. You’ll want to rent specialized equipment – shoes, a dry suit, neoprene socks, a waterproof bag, and a walking stick – and you’ll need to monitor the weather because flash floods, cold water temperatures, and high water levels can be very dangerous. Plan on this hike taking most of the day, and you’ll want to bring a pack-out lunch, plenty of water, and snacks.
If you don’t want to hike The Narrows, hike the Watchman Trail in the morning, have a picnic lunch or eat in Springdale, then in the afternoon, hike the Lower and Middle Emerald Pools Loop, and if you’re up for it, continue to the Upper Emerald Pool.
Day 4: Go off-roading in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park with Coral Pink ATV Tours, which includes hiking through a slot canyon, walking on the highest dune in the park, sand sledding, and sandboarding.
How much does Coral Pink Sand Dunes cost?
The day-use entrance fee to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is $10 per vehicle.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a perfect day trip from Zion National Park, so here’s my itinerary:
Arrival Day: Arrive at Zion as early as possible and head to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. Drive the scenic Kolob Canyons Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (easy-moderate, 1 mile, out and back, 100 feet elevation gain).
Day 1: Rent e-bikes and start riding as early as possible. Ride the Pa’rus Trail, then the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Go all the way to the end of the scenic drive, and stop as often as you want. Hike Angel’s Landing on this day (strenuous, 5.4 miles out and back, 1500 foot elevation gain, long drop-offs). You’ll need a hiking permit, so plan your biking schedule to accommodate your permit time.
If you don’t want to hike Angel’s Landing, hike the West Rim Trail until it becomes the Angel’s Landing trail, then turn around. You’ll want to pack out your lunch and then have dinner in Springdale or back at your accommodation.
Day 2: Drive the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, and stop at all the pull-offs on your side of the road. Keep driving out of Zion’s East Entrance. A herd of bison is usually visible on the right a few miles outside of the park. You can turn around if you get to Zion Mountain Ranch and haven’t seen the bison. Have lunch at Cordwood or Co-op Cafe before heading back into the park and stopping at all the pull-offs on the other side of the scenic drive.
Day 3: Hike The Narrows (Bottom-Up route via the Riverside Walk, 9.4 miles out and back). The Narrows hike averages about 6 hours, and the trail is the Virgin River, so you’ll be wading through ankle to waist-deep water. You’ll want to rent specialized equipment – shoes, a dry suit, neoprene socks, a waterproof bag, and a walking stick – and you’ll need to monitor the weather because flash floods, cold water temperatures, and high water levels can be very dangerous. Plan on this hike taking most of the day, and you’ll want to bring a pack-out lunch, plenty of water, and snacks.
If you don’t want to hike The Narrows, hike the Watchman Trail in the morning, have a picnic lunch or eat in Springdale, then in the afternoon, hike the Lower and Middle Emerald Pools Loop, and if you’re up for it, continue to the Upper Emerald Pool.
Day 4: Go off-roading in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park with Coral Pink ATV Tours, which includes hiking through a slot canyon, walking on the highest dune in the park, sand sledding, and sandboarding.
What do you wear to Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
No matter what time of year you visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, it will be windy and hot. There’s little to no shade in the park, and you will get sand EVERYWHERE. Always have a hat, sunscreen, and extra water with you. I recommend tight-fitting pants to minimize sand getting in your clothes and protect your skin from the hot sun when you sled and sandboard, a short-sleeve shirt, and high boots to keep sand out of your shoes as much as possible.
Are Coral Pink Sand Dunes actually pink?
Yes, the sand dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park are a pink-orange color. The dunes are pinker in the morning and evenings and more orange in the middle of the day.
Can you drive on Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
Yes. You can go off-roading on the dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park with Coral Pink ATV Tours, which includes hiking through a slot canyon, walking on the highest dune in the park, sand sledding, and sandboarding.
Why is it called Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
Because the sand dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park are a pink-orange hue. This coloring is because the dunes are formed from the erosion of pink-colored sandstone surrounding the park.
How big is Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is approximately 3,730 acres.
Are dogs allowed at Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
Yes. Dogs are allowed in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for no extra fee as long as they’re kept on a leash.
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This post of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park photos is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park photos are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park photos are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park photos.