Coral Pink

By Dixie Brunner

It’s easy to get “Off the Beaten Path” at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Hiking, sightseeing and four-wheel adventure can all be part of your Coral Pink experience. Grown-ups and kids alike can enjoy playing in the biggest sandbox around, wandering the seemingly endless dunes the park features. In Kane County’s movie-making days, a Hollywood production company thought Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park resembled Egypt, and it was selected as the location for filming The Greatest Story Ever Told. All film extras were locals, with the only imported actors being camels! The sand dunes and wind-whipped trees of Coral Pink offer a feeling of being somewhere else. But before you think it’s all a mirage, check your map – you are in the heart of southern Utah! The park gets its name from the coral-colored sand which has eroded from exposed Navajo sandstone. Pink sand formed into a dune system as a result of wind deposits rising from the hot lower elevations. The pink sand, contrasted against the steep red cliffs and outcroppings of southern Utah, offers visitors a visual delight. The park features a 24-unit campground, along with modern restrooms, hot showers and a sewage disposal station. Reservations for group and individual campsites may be made from three to 120 days in advance. All campsites have pull-through parking, a barbeque grill and picnic tables. Coral Pink Sand Dunes has 1,000 acres of play area for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Hundreds of miles of trails and several developed four-wheel roads are on BLM land adjacent to the park. While off-highway vehicles are permitted on the dunes, strict regulations apply. Riders should contact park personnel for laws and rules before venturing out on the dunes. While there are no developed hiking trails within the park, several lie adjacent, and are easily accessible. The South Fork Indian Canyon petroglyphs trailhead lies four miles northeast of the park. Harris Mountain is north of the park and offers views of the sand dunes and Zion National Park, while the Moquith Mountains form the east boundary of the park. From dune vantage points, you can see Kanab Canyon and the Grand Canyon North Rim. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers a unique opportunity to adventure into the incredible place which is southern Utah. For more information, call 435-648-2800.

 

 

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