Our Coral Pink Sand Dunes Sandboarding and Sledding Adventure

ByMelissa

When we were planning our trip to Southern Utah, I stumbled across photos of sandboarding and sledding through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park—and immediately knew this would be a hit with our adventure-loving kids.

I mean, giant pink sand dunes you can actually sled and board down? Yes, please.

We squeezed it into our itinerary between hikes at Zion, and it ended up being one of the most fun experiences of the whole trip.

It’s budget-friendly, super family-friendly, and honestly one of the most unique things to do near Zion National Park.

Plus, the setting is just plain stunning—rolling sand dunes, blue skies, and red rock all around.

In this post, I’ll share what our experience was like, how to rent gear, tips for visiting with kids, what to pack, and everything else you need to know to plan your own day of sandboarding and sledding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Spoiler: Going down the dunes is a blast… hiking back up? Let’s just say it counts as your leg day.

The beautiful orange-pink sand at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab.
The view from the largest dune is beautiful!

Where is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park?

  • Drive time from Kanab: 30 minutes
  • Drive time from Zion National Park: 1 hour
  • Drive time from Bryce Canyon National Park: 1.5 hours

The proximity of this state park to Zion and Bryce Canyon makes it the perfect addition to your Southern Utah itinerary.

The park is home to bright pinkish-orange sand dunes created by wind funneling through a notch in the nearby mountains, and it’s one of the few places in the U.S. where you can actually sandboard and sled on the dunes.

The color of the sand against the deep blue sky and red rock cliffs is just stunning.

One thing to know before you go: download the offline version of Google Maps.

Cell service can be spotty as you get closer to the dunes (you’re kind-of in the middle of nowhere), and it’s easy to lose your way if you’re relying on your phone to navigate.

👉 We stayed at a vacation rental in Hurricane for easy access.

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The sign at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park that is located at the entrance to the park.
This is the sign you will see at the entrance to the park.

What it’s Like to Go Sandboarding and Sledding

Our kids had an absolute blast here — and honestly, so did we!

We all gave both sandboarding and sledding a try, and while sandboarding definitely takes a little more balance and coordination, our youngest (age 7) picked it up surprisingly quickly.

It helps to hold your arms out to maintain balance, and lead back a bit on your back leg as you get going.

That said, you’ll want to keep an eye on which dunes your kids head for, especially if you have fearless ones like we do.

Our oldest went flying down the tallest dune, caught an edge near the bottom, and got the wind knocked out of him when he crashed. Our youngest also had a big wipeout and ended up with a face full of sand — but even after that, all four of our kids couldn’t wait to go again.

Sand sledding was much easier to learn — all you have to do is sit and go — and it’s perfect for younger kids or anyone who doesn’t want to mess with standing up on a board.

If you’ve got a toddler or little one, an adult can totally ride with them on the sled to help keep things safe and fun.

The biggest dune is about a 15-minute walk from the parking area, and it’s worth the trek if your kids are up for it.

There are also smaller dunes closer to the lot that are perfect for practicing or for littler legs who don’t want to hike too far.

Just a heads up — climbing back up the dunes is deceivingly hard (hello, burning calves!), but we took plenty of breaks and still managed to keep going most of the morning without many complaints.

See us in action at the video below! ⬇️

How to Rent Gear

You can rent sandboards and sleds right at the Visitor Center, which is super convenient since it’s located at the entrance to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week during daylight hours and has restrooms, so it’s a great place to make a quick stop before heading to the dunes.

Rentals are first come, first served, and they do tend to go quickly on busy weekends or during school breaks, so try to get there earlier in the day if you can.

Boards and sleds cost $25 each for the day, and wax is included with the rental. The staff will show you how to apply the wax (super easy), and you’ll want to rewax about every other run to keep things moving smoothly.

Since we knew we’d be taking turns anyway, we just rented two boards and two sleds to share between the six of us — and it worked out perfectly. It gave the kids time to rest or grab a snack between runs.

Once you’ve got your gear, you’ll drive just around the corner to the parking area at the base of the dunes, unload, and head out for your adventure.

➡️ To expand your adventure, book a UTV dune cruise and sandboarding excursion! ⬅️

Our kids treking to the tallest dune carrying their sandboards and sleds.
The trek uphill in sand is not easy!

What to Bring

There isn’t any shade out on the dunes, and once you start trekking through the sand, you’ll realize just how quickly things heat up — and how easily sand gets everywhere.

Here are a few things we recommend bringing to make your experience more enjoyable:

  • Sunscreen – You’ll need to reapply often, but fair warning: the sand sticks to it like glue, which makes reapplying a little tricky.
  • Water – It gets hot out there, and you’ll be climbing dunes. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
  • Sunglasses – Between the sun and the sand, you’ll be glad you have them.
  • Goggles – Can be handy for kids who don’t want to get sand in their eyes.
  • Hats – Something with a brim for extra sun protection is a good idea.
  • Snacks – There’s no food available in the park, and your crew will work up an appetite fast.
  • Something to help get the sand off afterward – A small towel, a soft-bristled brush, baby wipes, or even baby powder can help. We totally forgot this and ended up with sand everywhere all day.
  • First Aid Kit – If you happen to get a scrape, you’ll want to cover it to avoid getting sand and dirt in the cut.

Optional bonus items: a backpack to carry everything in, a camera (because the views are stunning), and maybe even a change of clothes if you don’t want to ride home sandy.

My husband and son sitting on sand boards at the top of a sand dune getting ready to ride.

Is it Good for Kids?

Yes — our four kids, ages 7 to 13, all participated and absolutely loved it. It was a super fun, unique southern Utah experience.

That said, not all dunes are created equal, and we quickly realized that choosing the right spot makes a big difference.

When you arrive, take a few minutes to look around at the different dunes. Some are much taller and steeper than others, and depending on your kids’ ages and comfort levels, it’s smart to start smaller and work your way up.

We started out on a shorter, gentler dune, and that ended up being a great decision.

It gave the kids time to figure out how to balance on the boards and get a feel for how fast the sleds could go — without too much risk.

👉 One tip: head back to the car before your kids are completely worn out. Climbing uphill through soft sand is tough enough when you’re feeling fresh, but it’s downright miserable if everyone is already dragging.

We wrapped up while our crew still had a little energy left and it still wasn’t easy, but we took it slow and managed to make it back to the parking lot.

Our 7-year-old standing on a sandboard on the top of a small dune. He picked up sandboarding surprisingly quickly!
Our 7-year-old caught on pretty quickly.
My son sledding down the dune at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. You can steer the sled by dragging your hands behind you.
You can steer the sled by dragging your hands behind you.

When to Visit

If you can swing it, first thing in the morning during the spring or fall is a fantastic time to visit.

The temperatures are cooler, the sand hasn’t had time to heat up yet, and there are fewer people out on the dunes.

We went in the morning in late May, and it made the whole experience more enjoyable — especially with kids who aren’t at their best when they’re hot and cranky.

In the summer, the sand can get really hot, so if you’re visiting during warmer months, mornings or evenings are definitely your best bet.

If we go back, I’d love to time it with sunset—definitely something to consider if your family’s up for an evening visit.

The soft evening light makes the colors even more vibrant, and it would be a beautiful time to explore or snap a few family photos if your crew is up for it.

Our 13-year-old sandboarding in the sand dunes. He absolutely loved this and road the board over and over again.

Cost and Visitor Info

Here are a few practical details to help you plan your visit:

  • Park hours: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is open from sunrise to sunset.
  • Entrance fee: It’s $15 per vehicle to enter the park.
  • Rental cost: Sandboards and sleds are $25 each for the day, and that includes wax.
  • Visitor Center: You’ll find restrooms and parking here, and it’s also where you’ll rent your boards or sleds before heading to the dunes.

It’s a pretty straightforward setup, but knowing these details ahead of time can make your trip smoother — especially when you’re wrangling kids and gear.

My 9-year-old sandboarding at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah. He loved the thrill of adventure and was a natural on the board.

Nearby Attractions

We spent the morning at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, then headed into Kanab to make a full day of it — and it was such a fun combo.

We had lunch at Brown Box Cafe, which we highly recommend for their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream (seriously, don’t skip it!).

After that, we walked around Kanab’s cute little downtown, then spent the afternoon on a tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which was such a memorable experience for our whole family.

If you have more time or want to mix and match activities, here are a few other things to explore nearby:

Final Tips

Before you head out, here are a few final tips to make your visit a success:

  • Plan for how you’ll get sand off at the end of the day – Baby powder, a towel, or a small brush can go a long way. Trust us — sand gets everywhere.
  • Be prepared for the heat, especially if you’re visiting in the summer. Bring plenty of water, wear hats, and take breaks in the shade when you can.
  • Start heading back to the car before your kids (or you!) hit a wall – The walk back is mostly uphill through soft sand, and it’s no joke if everyone’s already exhausted.
  • Check the Visitor Center hours so you don’t miss out on rentals.
  • Share gear if needed – We shared two boards and two sleds between six of us, and it worked out great.
  • Pick a dune that fits your family’s comfort level — Start smaller and work up to the steeper ones.

This was honestly one of the highlights of our Southern Utah trip, and we’d absolutely do it again.

If your family loves unique outdoor adventures, Coral Pink Sand Dunes sandboarding and sledding should be on your list — it’s fun, budget-friendly, and unlike anything else we’ve done.

➡️ To expand your adventure, book a UTV dune cruise and sandboarding excursion! ⬅️

Discover More Family-Friendly Destinations:

A Pinterest pin to save for planning your sandboarding adventure in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
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Melissa is a seasoned traveler who studied abroad in Europe and interned in Mexico before embracing family adventures with her husband and four kids. As the founder of Everyday Family Travel, she helps families plan memorable trips across the U.S. with kid-friendly destination guides and expert family travel tips.