Pink Sand Dreamscape
Coral Pink Dunes State Park is situated in southwestern Utah, near the small town of Kanab. Covering a vast area of 3,730 acres, the park is home to around 2,000 acres of unique dunes.
The dune area is the only major one on the Colorado Plateau, with its formation being somewhat similar to the floodplain of a typical river. However, the main difference is the carrier of the transported sand. Whereas alluvial plains are formed by water flow, the dune area here is formed by highland winds.
Over millions of years, the surface layer of a large number of iron oxide-rich Navajo rock formations on the Colorado Plateau have been cut and eroded. The result of this natural action is orange-red fine particles, which are carried by the plateau wind and deposited in the flatter open valley terrain.
Over time, these particles form the pink dunes present today. The dunes' outline is clear and layered, with the ridges being smooth and fluid. The sand slope on the windward side is akin to water, and the sand on the leeward side is like a cascade. The sand is golden and glistening in the sunlight, clean and pure, without dust.
The sand dunes in the Coral Pink Dunes State Park are unique in their color and appearance. Unlike the yellow sand dunes found in deserts, the sand here is light pink, reflecting a fairy-tale dreamlike mood.
This picturesque world of pink dunes continues to attract photographers and travelers from all over the world. Witnessing the fading golden afterglow shining on the pink sand beach is sure to become a lifetime of unforgettable and beautiful memories.
The Coral Pink Dunes State Park is not only a place of natural beauty but also an off-road driving paradise. For every off-road driving enthusiast, this is a must-see destination. Nearly 90% of the dunes throughout the park can be used as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and off-highway vehicle (OHV) driving site.
There are miles of all-terrain vehicle trails in this unique and colorful land that leave a shallow trail as vehicles drive by, slowly disappearing as the wind drifts by. In addition to thrilling off-road adventures, any area within Coral Pink Dunes State Park is a great place for hiking.
The area has also served as a popular filming location for Hollywood movies. Five movies, including Arabian Nights, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Timbuktu, have been filmed in the park's unique and beautiful terrain.
To access the park, visitors need to travel approximately 310 miles south of Salt Lake City. Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle, and camping facilities such as RVs or tents can be rented in the park for $20 a night.
The park is open during daylight hours throughout the year, with the best times to visit being spring, early summer, and fall when temperatures are mild and the weather is usually good.
The Coral Pink Dunes State Park is a unique and breathtaking destination that offers visitors an opportunity to witness a picturesque world of pink sand dunes. The park's unique formation and color, along with its off-road driving paradise, make it a must-see destination for travelers and off-road driving enthusiasts.
Whether it's for hiking, off-road driving, or simply enjoying the natural beauty, the Coral Pink Dunes State Park is a destination that should not be missed.