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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a state park in southwestern Utah, United States, located between Mount Carmel Junction and Kanab, south and west of U.S. Highway 89 in Kane County. The park features uniquely pink-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs. The dunes are formed from the erosion of pink-colored Navajo Sandstone surrounding the park. High winds passing through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin Mountains pick up loose sand particles and then drop them onto the dunes as a result of the Venturi effect. The dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old. The park allows camping, hiking, off-road vehicle driving, and photography. There is a conservation area of 265 acres (1.07 km2), and the total grounds include 3,370 acres (13.6 km2). It was established as a Utah state park in 1963. Sandboarding is also a popular activity, sandboards and sand sleds can be rented directly at the park. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) is endemic to the dunes, being found nowhere else in the world. The park also contains most of the remaining individuals of the rare plant known as Welsh's milkweed (Asclepias welshii), a federally listed threatened species.

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Seasonal light and colour tricks

The dunes’ blush is mutable. In the early morning, low sun angles spill a soft orange across the ridges, while the midday glare can bleach the hue to a pastel that seems almost beige. Late autumn brings cooler air and crisper shadows, making the surrounding red cliffs a stark backdrop for night‑time photography. Visit during the lunar cycle’s waxing phase; the thin crescent moon casts a silvery ribbon over the dunes, revealing patterns in the ripples that are invisible in daylight. Pack a lightweight tripod and a polarising filter to capture the subtle shifts – a visual record that changes more dramatically than the static description of pink sand.

A rider’s perspective beyond the trailhead

While the park’s map marks the main vehicle loops, experienced dune‑buggies know that the most rewarding tracks lie just beyond the marked boundaries, where the sand softens and the wind‑carved gullies deepen. Early sunrise is the optimal window: cooler sand eases tyre wear and the wind is less likely to kick up a blinding dust cloud. Carry a spare air‑filled tyre and a compact sand‑shovel; the dunes often hide small depressions that can trap a wheel. Pair the ride with a short hike up the adjacent Moquith ridge – the ascent offers panoramic views of the whole sand sea, letting you gauge your route from a bird’s‑eye perspective before you descend back into the ripples.

Ecological nuance for the curious visitor

Beyond the visual spectacle, the dunes host a surprisingly specialised micro‑habitat. The fine, silica‑rich grains retain minimal moisture, yet a handful of hardy lichens cling to the shaded lee of the cliff faces, drawing nutrients from wind‑borne dust. Small nocturnal insects, adapted to the temperature swing between scorching day and chilly night, emerge after sunset, creating a brief chorus of rustling. If you linger after dark, you may notice the subtle scent of desert sagebrush carried on the breeze – a reminder that the dunes are not an isolated desert but part of a broader mosaic of arid ecosystems. Observing these details adds depth to a visit that could otherwise be reduced to sand and colour alone.

Introduction

State park in Utah, US Coral Pink Sand Dunes State ParkIUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)The sand that makes up the pink-colored dunes is derived from the Navajo SandstoneLocation of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in UtahShow map of UtahCoral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (the United States)Show map of the United StatesLocationKane, Utah, United StatesCoordinates37°2′16″N 112°43′13″W / 37.03778°N 112.72028°W / 37.03778; -112.72028Area3,730 acres (15.1 km2)Elevation6,000 ft (1,800 m)Established1963Visitors229,527 (in 2022)Governing bodyUtah State ParksWebsiteOfficial website State Park Map Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a state park in southwestern Utah, United States, located between Mount Carmel Junction and Kanab, south and west of U.S. Highway 89 in Kane County. The park features uniquely pink-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs. The dunes are formed from the erosion of pink-colored Navajo Sandstone surrounding the park. High winds passing through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin Mountains pick up loose sand particles and then drop them onto the dunes as a result of the Venturi effect. The dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old. The park allows camping, hiking, off-road vehicle driving, and photography. There is a conservation area of 265 acres (1.07 km2), and the total grounds include 3,370 acres (13.6 km2). It was established as a Utah state park in 1963. Sandboarding is also a popular activity, sandboards and sand sleds can be rented directly at the park. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) is endemic to the dunes, being found nowhere else in the world. The park also contains most of the remaining individuals of the rare plant known as Welsh's milkweed (Asclepias welshii), a federally listed threatened species.

Gallery

[edit] Sand from the dunes: grains of quartz with a hematite coating providing the orange color. Part of the field of sand dunes. Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima)