Kanab, Utah
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is located about thirty minutes west of Kanab, Utah, and is a popular destination for all sorts of off-road vehicles. Understandably, too. With towering sand dunes, this is a really cool area to go and spend an afternoon. There are four different ways to enjoy the dunes that are available inside the park. The cheapest is on your own two feet. Now, I will say that this park seemed to be a lot more oriented toward vehicular enjoyment of the dunes, so you will need to be listening and looking out for riders. You will be walking the dunes at your own risk so definitely be aware of your surroundings. If walking the dunes is your preferred method of exploring, I would recommend walking on the ridge of dunes or walking downhill. Walking uphill in the sand, or really even over flat surfaces, can be a leg workout and will definitely light your calves on fire. Additionally, expect that established hiking trails lead away from the park. Inside of a sand dune area, the ground is constantly changing so it is hard to define a trail.
If you're looking for a little more thrilling way to explore the dunes, you can rent a sled or board from the visitor center. Rentals are $25 and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. I had wanted to try out sandboarding, but the day I arrived was experiencing 30 mph gusts which was kicking up sand. Now, unlike other areas I've been to, the sand here didn't seem to want to be picked up. The sand that was picked up was very fine and more like dust. I have previously tried sand sledding and it is a lot of fun. There was an impressive dune just in front of a constructed overlook that would've been a lot of fun to sled down. Keep in mind that the hike back to the top is going to be a struggle. Sledding is something I recommend for all ages. It's a very family-friendly activity. If you've got the knees and quads for it, I imagine sandboarding to be just as fun if not more. (and way cooler)
The last option, that I'm aware of, is to enjoy the dunes from a vehicle. There is a guide company located inside the park now and is actually one that I saw all across Utah on a road trip. However you would like to explore the outdoors of Utah, Roam Outdoor Adventure Co. is there to help guide you. I know nothing about UTVs and ATVs, but I saw many driving around towns, inside parks, and just out and about in the outdoors so I imagine it is a super enjoyable way to explore Utah.
This is definitely a park with no cell service. I couldn't pick it up on my phone consistently, and even when I did it didn't work or was gone the second my phone moved a smidge. There is wifi available at the visitor center, and be sure to enable wifi calling if you intend to use it to make calls. Inside the campground, there are two restrooms. The one located on the farthest end, next to the host site, is heated with showers, flush toilets, and sinks. If you are not a camper, you can pay to use the shower if you feel you got a little too sandy. The other restroom, located in the middle of the campground, is a vault toilet only, which gets the job done but may not be preferred. There are electric and water hookups available at sites, as well as a grill and covered picnic table. I did find this to be one of the most expensive campgrounds I've stayed at, even for a state park.
Entrance Fee: $15
Campsites with no hookups/tent sites: $28/night + daily entrance fee
Campsites with Electricity and Water: $45/night + daily entrance fee
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