Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV Tour Review (Sunset, S’mores & Stars)
If you’re wondering if the Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV tour is worth it, here’s our honest review—from UTV riding and sandboarding to sunset views, s’mores, and stargazing near Kanab, Utah.
If you’re planning a trip to southern Utah and trying to decide what’s actually worth your time beyond the big-name parks like Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park… this is it.
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV Tour ended up being one of the most memorable things we did on our entire trip.
And I don’t say that lightly.
This was the one activity where:
- my husband was all in
- my daughter was completely obsessed
- and I had just enough adventure to feel proud of myself… before gracefully retiring 😂
If you want this entire trip planned out step-by-step (including timing, drive days, and where to stay), my Utah Mighty Five itinerary planner lays it all out so you don’t have to piece it together yourself.
Quick Snapshot (If You’re Skimming)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Location | Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (near the town of Kanab, Utah) |
| Tour Company | ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. |
| Tour Name | Sunset S’mores n’ Stars |
| Duration | ~2.5 hours |
| Best For | Families with teens, non-hikers, “adventure-lite” travelers |
| Activities | UTV riding, sandboarding, sunset views, campfire, stargazing |
| Worth It? | 100% yes |
Most people visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes as a side trip from Zion, so if you’re still planning that part of your trip, here’s exactly how to structure your day in my Zion National Park itinerary for real-life travelers.
What Are the Coral Pink Sand Dunes (And Why Do They Look Like That?)
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is one of those places that doesn’t quite make sense until you see it.
You’re in southern Utah… surrounded by cliffs and desert… and then suddenly you’re standing in what feels like a shifting sea of soft, coral-colored sand—rolling hills of sand stretching in every direction.
The dunes are made from Navajo sandstone, broken down over millions of years into incredibly fine grains of sand and carried here by wind. The pinkish color comes from iron oxide, which gives the sand that warm glow—especially during golden hour.
And yes—those colors in photos?
They’re real.
At sunset, the whole landscape turns into this glowing mix of pink, orange, and gold. It’s one of the most unique landscapes we saw anywhere on our Utah trip.
This pairs really well with Bryce Canyon, especially if you’re heading east the next day—my Bryce Canyon itinerary breaks down the best viewpoints and short hikes without overcomplicating your day.
What Can You Do at Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
This is a popular recreation spot for two main things:
Off-Highway Vehicles (UTVs & ATVs)
This is one of the few places where you can just… go.
- Open riding areas
- No defined “trails” in many spots
- Lots of freedom
Which is fun—but also means you need to know what you’re doing.
Sandboarding / Sand Sledding
Think snowboarding, but on sand.
- You hike up a sand hill
- Wax your board (yes, really—this makes you go faster)
- And ride down
Most people casually call them sandboards, but you’ll also hear them referred to as sand sleds, especially if you’re just sitting and riding down instead of standing.
It looks easy.
It is not easy. 😄
If your trip continues north toward Moab, you’ll want a solid plan for Arches—this Arches National Park itinerary helps you hit the highlights without wasting time or backtracking.
Why We Chose a Guided UTV Tour
We briefly considered doing this on our own.
And then we realized:
- We didn’t want to figure out rentals
- We didn’t want to worry about safety
- And we definitely didn’t want to accidentally drive off the wrong dune
Also, this falls squarely into our travel style lately:
“We want adventure… but we don’t want to work that hard for it.”
The ROAM tour basically handles everything:
- equipment
- navigation
- safety
- timing
You just show up and enjoy it.
Since Coral Pink Sand Dunes is one of the more unique Utah State Parks and is open year-round, it’s a pretty easy stop to work into a larger southern Utah itinerary—especially if you’re staying near Zion or Bryce.
Canyonlands is one of the easiest parks to underestimate, but it’s worth a stop—especially if you follow a quick, efficient plan like this Canyonlands itinerary for a half-day visit.
Our Experience: What It’s Actually Like
UTV Riding Through the Dunes (My Husband’s Favorite Part)
This started the tour—and honestly, it might have been my husband’s favorite part of the entire trip.
The UTV riding is just plain fun.
- You’re climbing up steep sand hills
- Dropping down the other side
- Bouncing around just enough to feel adventurous
It’s not extreme, but it’s also not boring.
You feel like you’re doing something a little out of your comfort zone… without it being overwhelming.
And because you’re following a guide, you don’t have to think about where you’re going.
During the cooler daylight hours, you’ll see even more people out riding across the dunes, but the sunset timing made everything feel quieter and more intentional.
Sandboarding (A Humbling Experience 😂)
This is where things got… entertaining.
My daughter was SO excited about sandboarding.
Like, instantly obsessed.
The second we stopped:
- she jumped out of the UTV
- grabbed a board
- and ran up the dune like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment
Meanwhile, I took a more cautious approach.
I did it once.
And I’m very proud of that one time.
Because technically… I got “mom credit.” 😄
But then…
I lost control about halfway down and basically tumbled the rest of the way like a ping pong ball.
It wasn’t dangerous—just… not graceful.
At that point, I made a strategic decision:
I will now be the cheerleader and photographer.
And honestly? Zero regrets.
And if you’re driving between Bryce and Moab, don’t skip Capitol Reef—this Capitol Reef itinerary shows you exactly how to turn it into a surprisingly memorable stop (yes, including the pie).
Why the Tour Setup Is Actually Genius
Here’s something I didn’t expect—but ended up loving:
👉 ROAM does all the hard work for you.
Instead of hiking back up the dune every time (which would get old fast in soft sand), they:
- pick you up at the bottom
- drive you back to the top
Over and over.
Which meant my daughter could:
- ride down
- hop into the UTV
- get dropped at the top
- wax her board
- and go again
She did this on repeat like it was a personal challenge.
And I got to sit back, laugh, and take photos without climbing a sand mountain every 10 minutes.
Sunset Over the Dunes
This part is hard to describe without sounding dramatic… but it really was beautiful.
The light shifts quickly:
- soft gold
- then deeper orange
- then that glowing coral pink
The dunes look almost endless, and the shadows give them this layered, wave-like texture.
It’s one of those moments where everything slows down for a bit.
Sand. Everywhere.
Let’s just be honest about this.
Let’s just be honest about this—those soft, fine grains of sand get everywhere.
You will get sand everywhere.
- In your shoes
- In your socks
- In your ears
- In your pockets
- Somehow… in places that don’t make sense
At the end of the night, we probably dumped out what felt like a gallon of sand from our shoes alone.
And yet…
Totally worth it.
Night Ride + Campfire + Stars
After sunset, you head out again in the dark.
This part feels completely different:
- quieter
- cooler
- a little more immersive
Then you stop at a scenic overlook for:
- a simple campfire
- s’mores
- and stargazing
When they turn off the lights, the sky just… fills up.
This area is part of a dark sky region, and it shows.
It’s one of those rare travel moments where nobody is talking, nobody is on their phone, and everyone is just looking up.
Who This Tour Is Perfect For
This is a perfect place for:
- Families with teens
- People who don’t want to hike all day
- First-time visitors to southern Utah
- Anyone staying near Kanab or heading between Zion and Bryce Canyon
Is It Worth It?
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer:
This wasn’t just “another activity.”
It felt different from everything else we did:
- more interactive
- more playful
- less structured
And the fact that it ended with sunset and stars made it feel like a full experience—not just a quick stop.
If you’re trying to figure out how this fits into a bigger trip, I mapped out a full route in my Utah Mighty Five 10-day itinerary, including exactly where a stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes makes the most sense between Zion and Bryce Canyon.
FAQ: Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV Tour
Is Coral Pink Sand Dunes worth visiting?
Yes. It’s one of the most unique landscapes in Utah and a fun break from traditional national park sightseeing.
Do you need a tour?
No—but it makes things significantly easier and safer, especially if you want to try UTV riding or sandboarding.
Is sandboarding hard?
Yes… and no. Kids tend to pick it up quickly. Adults may have a more “humbling” experience (speaking from experience 😄).
What should you wear?
Closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes, and something you don’t mind getting sandy.
What is the best time to go?
Sunset tours are ideal—for both temperature and lighting.
Final Thoughts
If your Utah itinerary is starting to feel like:
- scenic drive
- viewpoint
- short hike
- repeat
This is the perfect way to break that up.
It’s fun, a little messy, and something your kids (and honestly, your husband) will probably remember most.
And even if you only sandboard once…
You still get the mom credit. 😄
