HomeSand DunesCoral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (Kanab, Utah)

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (Kanab, Utah)


Overview Of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

  • Open: Year Round
  • Latitude/Longitude: 37.039891, -112.730813
  • Usage: Moderate (Heavy on weekends and holidays)
  • Managed by: State of Utah
  • Fee:
    • $10 per vehicle
    • $5 for Utah senior 62+
  • Camping: Yes, 2 campgrounds – 1 with hookups, 1 without
  • Location: Southwest Utah (on the AZ border)

Directions

Approximately 310 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Located 22 miles west of Kanab on Sand Dunes Road.

From St. George

  • Travel I-15 North 2 miles  
  • Exit 16 for Hwy 9 E (exit for Zion National Park)
  • Take State Hwy 9 E/UT-9 E/W State St and UT-59 S to Co Hwy 237 in Mohave County (this is basically one main road through the region that changes names as you travel in and out of UT and AZ)
  • Drive 43.2 miles 
  • Follow Co Hwy 237 to Co Rd 43 in Kane County 
  • Drive 17.1 miles to staging area

Coral Pink Sand Dunes ATV Area

This park has unique red sand dunes that are amazing to behold, soft coral pink sands blow into an otherworldly OHV playground.

These dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 to 15,000 years old and were formed by the wind slowly breaking down the Navajo sandstone over hundreds of years.

The wind is an unrelenting force, constantly breaking down the cliffs while blowing and shifting the sand.

Abundant iron oxides and minerals in this region are what make southern Utah one of the most beautiful places in the US.

This park has 3,370 acres with very few limits on OHV use, over 90% of the dunes are open for motorized off roading. 265 acres are closed to OHV traffic and are preserved as a conservation area.

- Advertisement -

This is a high desert region, with the sand dunes at an elevation of 6,000 feet, so plan on hot temperatures in the 80s and 90s late May through early September.

ATV riding and camping are available all year, with late September through October providing near perfect riding conditions in the 60s and 70s.

If you can, spend some extra time in this region and check out all the beauty and recreational opportunities available including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Kodachrome Basin, Lake Powell and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.



Campgrounds At The Kanab Pink Dunes

Old Campground (no amenities)

Latitude/Longitude: 37.03472, -112.73306
Fee:
-$20 for single site (+ $8 online booking fee)
-$40 for double site (+ $8 online booking fee)
Group Campsite: $120 for up to 5 camp units (+ $8 online booking fee)
ADA Accessible: No
Pets Allowed: Yes
Facilities:

  • Limited parking. Only 1 vehicle per site
  • If attached trailers do not fit within the site, you may need to reserve an additional site
  • The Juniper trees provide some limited/partial shade throughout the day
  • Pull-through sites
  • 2 Double sites available
  • 1 Group Site Available
  • 17 sites
  • Flush toilets
  • Showers
  • Water
  • Tables
  • Fire Pits
  • Dump Station


New Campground (hook ups)

This campground is in the process of being built. Should be available by January 2020.

  • Latitude / Longitude: N/A
  • Fee: $30 per site
  • ADA Accessible: N /A
  • Hook ups (water and electric)

UT Sand Dunes OHVA
Quinn Dombrowski | Flickr

Another beautiful ATV sand dune area

Little Sahara Recreation Area (Eureka UT)


  • These dunes are also open to non-motorized use, so be cautious and respectful of other users.
  • A new campground with hookups is currently under construction and should be open early 2020.
  • No registration reciprocity with the other 49 states (starting 2020)
  • Utah does allow ATV / UTV to be street legal providing they meet all legal requirements. Utah Street Legal Requirements


Rules & Regulations

Utah Registration Laws

  • All OHVs are required to be registered (registration sticker must be displayed)
  • Utah No Longer Honors Out Of State ATV/OHV Registration
  • As of 2020, Utah does not recognize any out of state OHV registration. There is no reciprocity with any of the other 49 states.
  • Out of state registration permit is $30 for 12 months. (+$5 if you buy online)
  • To register in Utah You Will Need To Provide:
    • Proof of residency: driver’s license or other state-issued identification.
    • Proof of ownership: title or current registration or bill of sale.

Utah ATV / OHV Laws and Rules

  • Utah law does allow for street legal ATV, UTV and OHV
  • Helmets are required for all riders and passengers under age 18 (fitted and fastened)
  • Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to operate an OHV
  • Children under 8 are allowed to compete in off road racing/events providing that certain criteria are met (see link below)
  • Operators between 8-15 years old must have an OHV education certificate before operating an OHV on public land
  • Ride only in designated OHV use areas
  • Ride on the right and in single file
  • It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Whip flags are required in all sand dune areas
  • Lights are required between sunset and sunrise
  • Spark arrestors are required

Whip Flag Requirements

  • Red or orange
  • A minimum of 6 by 12 inches
  • At least 8 feet above the surface of level ground; or
  • At least 18 inches above the top of a motorcycle riders helmet


More Utah ATV Adventures

With its beautiful red rock formations, Moab has some of the most spectacular off roading in Utah. 10 Epic Moab ATV Trails5 Family Friendly ATV Trails In MoabHell’s Revenge (Moab UT)

The Ticaboo Lodge in North Lake Powell, Ticaboo UT is an all inclusive ATV resort. In October 2019, Ticaboo Lodge held their first annual ATV/UTV Rally at North Lake Powell. Hopefully this event will take off and become a successful yearly event.

- Advertisement -

Utah has some of the best off roading in the US, so it should be no surprise that they also have a ton of awesome ATV events. Check out our ATV Jamboree page for dates and links to upcoming events.

You’ll find links to all these off roading events in Utah on the Jamboree page:

  • Winter 4×4 Jamboree
  • Tri-State ATV Jamboree
  • Kanab ATV Jamboree
  • Rally On The Rocks
  • Beaver County Trails ATV Jamboree
  • Outlaw ATV Jamboree
  • Millard County National ATV/UTV Jamboree
  • Manti Mountain ATV-UTV Run
  • Paiute Trail Jamboree
  • Bryce Rally
  • Arapeen OHV Retreat
  • San Juan ATV Safari
  • Rocky Mountain Jamboree
  • UTV Takeover
  • SxS Adventure Rally

Featured image Ludovic Bertron | Flickr

Read Next