Experience Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just before the sun begins to set, the shifting sands of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes begin to glow. Watch a little longer, and it seems as if the sun itself has released molten copper to ripple down the dunes. There is nothing like it and you will want to experience it time and again, because each sunset is unique. You will find yourself lingering until the sun has drifted below the fathest dune, bringing on a cool desert night. If you tire of the sunsets, there is always the show-stopping sunrises to catch instead.
I have been to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in southwestern Utah many times. As a child, I could hardly wait to strip off my shoes, run down the wooden boardwalk and feel the warm salmon-pink sand between my little toes. My siblings and I would climb the dunes and roll down them pell-mell, laughing all the way. When we tired of that , we would dig beneath the sun-kissed grains to the cool, moist sand below. We would take rides in the dune buggy owned by a friend of my parents, hurtling through the sand and watching the gorgeous scenery go by with nothing between it and us but the wind. It was one of my favorite places to go camping with my family, and it draws me back every time I am in southwest Utah. Something about that pink sand surrounded by sandstone cliffs and juniper and pinion trees speaks to my soul.
Coral Pink Sande Dunes, created from eroding Navajo sandstone, is not large. Located twelve miles from Kanab, Utah, this beautiful state park only encompasses about 3,700 acres, with 2,000 of those acres being the uniquely colored sand. The short drive from Highway 89 is very scenic. Nearly 1,000 of the park acres are open to OHV (off-highway vehicles such as dune buggies, sand rails, motorcycles and ATVs) use, and the nearby BLM land offers many additional miles of trails through some of the most attractive country in the area. The park also has a conservation area to protect a kind of beetle that is only found there and nowhere else. While some people come to ride their OHVs, more come just for the scenery, camping and hiking. Day passes are very cheap at only $4 per vehicle.
Many people have never even heard of the park, because it is so small and off the beaten path of the many wonderful National Parks in the area. The park is open year round, with the greatest amount of tourists visiting during the summer months. It is a good idea to make reservations for camping if you plan to visit during the busy summer weekends. However, if you go during the week when it is off-season, you may very well have the park to yourself or with very few other visitors. The small campground has 22 units. Each unit has the standard picnic table and BBQ grill. The restrooms are clean and neat, and the free showers will definitely be something you will want to take advantage of after spending time on the dunes. While it is always fun getting sand onto every part of your body and in your hair, it is a relief to wash it off at the end of an enjoyable day. The fees for camping are reasonable at $12 a night. It is possible to stay for up to fourteen consecutive nights, since there is plenty to keep you busy during the day. However, if you are not the camping type of person, attractive and moderately priced lodging can be found in nearby Kanab and Springdale.
Other attractions in the area include nearby Southfork Indian Canyon, which contains some fantastic pictographs which can be accessed by a short hike into the canyon. The Harris and Moquith mountains offer great hiking and tantalizing views of the north rim of the Grand Canyon and beautiful Zion National Park. One interesting day trip is to go to Pipe Springs National Monument, built by my Utah pioneer ancestors.
Eventually, you will be drawn back to the dunes. The highest dune is only about one hundred feet high, but the climb or drive to the top will give you another chance to see breathtaking views of dunes and cliffs. It is impossible to take a bad picture here, so don’t forget your camera. If you sit quietly on the dunes, you will likely see mule deer, coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits and a variety of other wildlife.
To preserve the enjoyment of everyone, the park has some strict regulations regarding OHVs, so make sure to check in at the visitor’s center to find out more from the park ranger on duty before heading out onto the dunes. Some of these rules include staying at least one hundred feet from anyone on foot, and staying in designated areas. There is also a strictly observed quiet time, from 10:00 P.M. to 9:00 A.M. Fireworks are prohibited and fires are only allowed in certain areas. If you decide to explore this interesting spot, please follow the rules so that everyone can enjoy the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in their own way.
To make camping reservations and to get more information, go to www.parks.state.ut.us and another good site for information about camping in Utah is www.go-utah.com.
