Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has some great drifts of fine red sand that are fun to play in and to photograph. This park is a favorite for ATV riders that love to ride the dunes, but we managed to get out early in the mornings or late in the evening for some quiet time alone in the sand. The great sand dunes are created by wind that is funneled through a unique notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains. As the wind funnels through the notch, the wind velocity is increased and pulls along with it grains of sand from the eroding Navajo sandstone. As the wind reaches the open valley below the mountains, the wind velocity decreases, and causes the sand to be deposited. This process is referred to as the Venturi Affect. Depending upon the changing winds, the sand drifts can move as much as 50 feet per year. The dunes are estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 years old.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Location: Approximately 310 miles south of Salt Lake City and 22 miles west of Kanab on Sand Dunes Road.
Total Sites: 22
Stayed in Site: 21
Elevation: 6,000 ft
Date Created: 1963
Three Stars *** (the dunes are beautiful, but the park is windy and popular with ATV enthusiasts)
