Utah - State Park - Recreation - Sand - Dunes - Coral Pink!
74We couldn't believe our eyes!
When we first saw the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah from the air, we could hardly believe our eyes! Not only is this state park a recreational paradise, its sand is brilliantly colored the most vivid shade of pink imaginable.
My mother, niece and I were overlooking Bryce Canyon National Park and parts of Zion National Park on our small airplane ride when we spotted this vivid area of pink sand and inquired of our pilot as to the significance.
Being informed that this was the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and understanding that it was very close to a portion of Zion National Park which was on our agenda to visit, we made a mental note to also check out this intriguing state park from the ground when we would be in that area.
Have you ever played in sand?
As a child did you ever play in a sandbox?
Did you ever build sand castles while on a beach only to watch as the incoming waves made them disappear?
Many of us have had similar experiences in life with regard to playing in sand.
When we saw these brightly colored sand dunes, it brought back memories of fun times in the past as well as presenting ideas for pleasure in the here and now.
Climbing to the top of one of these coral pink sand dunes is not as easy as one might think. The grains of sand move and footprints fill in rapidly as one tries to attempt reaching the top of the dune. But with perseverance and determination, that is one of the first things that we accomplished.
The pictures to the right show my niece attempting the climb and successfully sitting on the top of the hill.
Some information about the park...
Established in 1963 this Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park consists of 3,730 acres. Of that, over 1,000 acres consist of a giant playground containing some of the following:
Hundreds of miles of trails
Nature walks
Camp grounds
Off highway vehicle riding
Great photography opportunities
Viewing plant and wildlife
Elevation is at 6,000 feet.
What caused this sand to be so colorful?
The nearby red cliffs of Navajo Sandstone gradually eroded giving the grains of sand this bright hue and prevailing winds blew these small particles into the undulating mounds of sand seen there today.
These Coral Pink Sand Dunes are 10,000 to 15,000 years old!
- http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=cicilial
Information and photo about the Coral Pink Beetle
Wildlife that might be spotted here...
Besides rodents, if one is lucky one might spot some of the following:
Coyotes
Jackrabbits
Kit Fox
and Mule Deer
Conservation area set aside...
A Coral Pink Beetle that lives no where else in the world except for here is being protected in the following manner...
An area of 265 acres is set aside prohibiting any motorized vehicles from entering in order to form a protective barrier of sorts around these rare beetles.
For some dune buggy fun...
For some fun scenes watching an off road motorized vehicle cavorting among the salmon colored sand dunes, you might wish to watch this video.
It starts out at a camp site and the action really starts about 40 seconds into the video.
There are twenty-two campsites set up in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Included are restrooms, showers, waste disposal sites, etc.
Anything from motor homes to tents can be accommodated.
Camping fees are $15 and day use fees for the park are $5.
Contact information: P.O. Box 95, Kanab, Utah 84741-0095 Telephone: (435) 648-2800
While my mother, niece and I just took a quick look at this most interesting park with its undulating salmon colored pink sand dunes, other people obviously stay longer and have more time to play.
We were limited by our two week time-frame and our main focus for this vacation was to visit the five national parks in Utah. Had we not viewed the Coral Pink Sand Dunes from the air we would probably have driven right past this area and not become better acquainted with this unusual spectacle of beauty.
Were we ever to return, renting a dune buggy would provide endless hours of entertainment and excitement. Just walking the trails would also be pleasurable.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a State Park in Utah that can provide hours or even days of fun and recreation!
Additional photos...
Would you be tempted to visit this Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park?
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Comments
Brings back some great memories! Thanks for a great hub!
I would love to visit and photograph the place. I always enjoy travel, and your hub brought much pleasure.
Fantastic hub, Peggy. I LOVE sand dunes. The most memorable ones were in Oregon off the intercoastal highway. Talk about fun!!! I think we spent the whole day there. We just couldn't get enough. I'd love to visit these as well. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this.
Wonderful hub Peggy! Looks like the same pink that Bryce Canyon is made of! So pretty you don't mind if it gets in your shoes and tracked into the car! "Hey! It's Pink, bring it in!" LOLOL! You are a great travel guide!
That is such an interesting hub. Thank so very much. It is amazing how many interesting sites are in this world.
The park looks great but that would be a long way to go for me to visit a state park. We have some very nice parks in Maryland.
What a great virtual visit you've created! Great photos and information. Love the yellow flowers springing out of the sand ~ Thanks!
This is really nice! Your niece seems to be enjoying every minute of your wonderful trips! This is a nice resort. Thanks dear.
Hello wrenfrost56,
Another sand castle creator! Welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting on this Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park in Utah. Quite the playground!
Hi Hmrjmr1,
So happy that this hub about this state park in Utah could bring back happy memories for you. Just creating the hub did the same for me. Thanks for the comment.
Hi IslandVoice,
Hope you get your wish fulfilled...that of visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in person someday. And yes...you and your camera will stay very busy while having fun. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Hi Frieda Babbley,
I agree that the beaches in Oregon are also beautiful and unusual. As we went up the coastline each beach seemed to have its own and distinctive character. Happy for you that you got to play there.
These Coral Pink Sand Dunes are so different because of location and naturally, the color. Also a great recreation area. Anyone visiting can combine the visit with ones to the wonderful National Parks in Utah...at least the closest ones. This one is knocking at Zion's door.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Hi Candie,
Aha! You noticed some of the same coloring in the nearby parks. You'd make a good detective!
Am sure that we moved some of that Coral Pink Sand out of the State Park and into our rental car. Would have been eventually moved to Salt Lake when we returned the car with perhaps grains of it being spread into portions of the rest of Utah as we continued our trip.
Glad that you enjoy these remembrances of some of our travels. And thanks for the compliment.
Dear Hello, hello,
I agree that there are an endless amount of interesting travel sites in the world. Utah just seems to have a gigantic share of them for one state. Thanks for commenting on this Coral Pink Sand Dunes hub.
Hi Pete,
That is true...you undoubtedly have some great state parks closer to your end of the country. If you ever decide to travel to Utah...prepare to be amazed! Between the great National Parks and other ones like the Coral Pink Sand Dunes; Goblin Valley State Park, etc., Utah is absolutely filled with wonders! Thanks for the comment.
Hello Eleven13,
So happy that you liked viewing the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park via this Internet hub. Like you, I also enjoy traveling to other parts of the world via my computer. Thanks for the nod.
Hi shamelabboush,
Yes, I do believe my niece liked most of these trips in which she joined us when still a youngster. She certainly was here...cartwheeling along the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. I never could do a cartwheel! LOL
Think Pink. Think Utah. Never, until now. What a beautiful revelation of nature.
What amazing colour sand and what luck that you saw it from the air!
Looks like a lovely place to travel to! I actually prefer Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, but the desert would be a nice change of pace!
Hello loveroflife,
Yes...who knew? Utah and gigantic coral pink sand dunes! Nature is surely beautiful as you stated. Thanks!
Hello CMHypno,
Yes...had we not spotted it from the air we would surely have bypassed this State Park while on our way to other National Parks in Utah. So glad we DID see it and explore it a bit further. Thanks for the comment.
Greetings Isabellas,
We also love the Gatlinburg area with the Great Smokey Mountains. Spent our 1st wedding anniversary there.
All of these State and National Parks are so different and each has its own type of beauty. Glad that you took a look at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. If you are ever tempted to go west...you will have your choice of so many wonderful parks that it will be quite a decision to make as to which one or ones you want to see. At least you will have an idea of what is out there! Thanks for your comment.
I have GOT to plan a trip to Utah, I have always thought about it but now that I see this pink sand, I really need to go!! :)
My husband has been to Utah but I never have. Visiting state parks is such fun and I can visit places through you on hub pages so that is cool. I love your way of showing us what's there and your photos are clear and nice. :)
Hello vanderhaven,
Hope you get to vacation in Utah and see this Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. 5 National Parks are also there along with other state parks. It is a virtual playground in much of Utah! I'd go back in a minute! Need anyone to carry your bags? (LOL) Glad you enjoyed this and thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Peggy, I enjoyed reading your hub. Great photos!
What fun! If I'm out that way, I will definitely want to go here. Thank you
Greetings Paul in Russia,
Very happy that you liked this hub about the Utah State Park. Intend to head on over to your hubs to see what you are writing. Thanks!
Hi Jess Killmenow,
Glad that I could introduce the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to you. If you visit there, let me know what you think. Thanks!
Looks lovely and unspoilt.
Hi Ethel,
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is definitely that as are the National Parks in the vicinity. As a matter of fact, much of the entire State of Utah is set aside and protected from development for the enjoyment of the masses. Wonderful place to visit for those that like majesty and the outdoors. Thanks for reading and commenting.
It's indeed a unique pink park, what makes pink color in that sand Peggy ?
Hello agusfanani,
The nearby red toned Navajo sandstone that became eroded over time caused all of those pink sand dunes. It certainly does make for a unique recreational state park in Utah.
wrenfrost56 says:
3 months ago
Great hub peggy, it sounds beautiful and the pictures are great. I used to love making sand castles too (I still do!) thank-you I really enjoyed reading that and I would love to see the wildlife there too.