UTV Dune Cruise and Surf at Coral Pink Sand Dunes

The sand has more tricks than you expect. This Coral Pink Sand Dunes tour combines a fast UTV ride with a short slot canyon walk and sandboarding, giving you three very different ways to experience the park in about two hours. I especially like the chance to try both lie-flat sleds and standing sandboards, plus the handy ride back up the hill after each run. The main drawback is the price: at $139 per person, plus a $15 state park entrance fee per booking, it is not a casual budget stop.

The pace is lively, and that is part of the appeal. Guides such as Drew, Mikey, Jack, Tim, Harley, and Tony Collins have been praised for making families feel safe and included, though one review found some younger guides stronger behind the wheel than at explaining the park. Late afternoon tours can be a smart pick for cooler sand and sunset light, but windy conditions may leave you coated in sand.

Key points to know before booking

• Three activities in two hours: Ride UTVs across the dunes, walk through a short slot canyon, then sled or sandboard Star Dune.
• Good for first-timers: The tour welcomes beginners, families, and most skill levels.
• The ride back matters: After sliding down the dune, the UTV can pick you up at the bottom, saving a tiring climb.
• Sunset is a strong choice: The 5:30 or 6 p.m. outings can bring cooler sand and warm evening light, according to the timing described by past participants.
• Expect a maximum of 35 people: The exact feel depends on the group, but the activity is designed as a guided outing.
• Budget for the park fee: The $139 price does not include the state park entrance charge of $15 per vehicle.

Why this Coral Pink Sand Dunes tour works so well

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is easy to appreciate from a viewpoint. The dunes glow in shades of orange and pink, and the broad open setting makes for excellent photos. But simply walking onto the sand tells you only part of the story.

This tour adds motion and variety. You get the rumble and speed of a UTV, the tighter walls of a slot canyon, and the goofy, slippery fun of sliding down a dune. I like that the outing does not spend the full two hours on one activity. If sandboarding is not your thing, the ride and canyon still give you worthwhile time.

The experience is also built for people who are not seasoned outdoor athletes. You do not need prior sandboarding experience, and the short canyon walk is moderate rather than a long hike. Families with children as young as five have enjoyed the outing, while teenagers and adults often make the dune runs their favorite part.

There is a trade-off. This is not a quiet nature walk. The UTV portion is fast and bumpy, and the advertised experience includes an adrenaline rush. If you prefer a slow, interpretive tour with long pauses for scenery, this may feel rushed. If you like a little speed and do not mind sand in your shoes, the mix is much more appealing.

Meeting the group at Sand Dunes Road

The tour begins at 12500 S Sand Dunes Rd, Kanab, Utah 84741, at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes area. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not arranging a separate pickup at the end.

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English and can include up to 35 people. That is a fairly large possible group for a two-hour outing, though the quality of the day depends heavily on the particular departure and guide.

The state park entrance charge is separate. The stated fee is $15 per vehicle and can change, so include it in your planning. Since the charge is per vehicle rather than per person, it has less impact if you are sharing one car with several people.

ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co provides the UTV, bottled water, and sandboards. You will want to bring practical sun and sand protection, though the supplied details do not specify a required packing list. Wind can send sand toward your face, and one person specifically advised buying goggles in windy conditions. That is sensible advice for anyone who dislikes grit in the eyes.

The UTV ride across the pink dunes

The first major part of the outing is the UTV run. This is not just a short transfer to a viewpoint. The ride moves through the dunes and is intended to feel exciting, with quick turns, bumps, and open views.

Some past participants describe driving the UTVs themselves, while the main tour description presents the activity as a guided UTV ride. Ask the operator what driving arrangement applies to your departure if that matters to you. Either way, the guide leads the group and sets the pace.

The ride may include a quick chance to spot or photograph Sandsquatch, the tour’s Bigfoot character. It is a lighthearted photo moment rather than a wildlife sighting, but it gives families and children something fun to look for.

This part is where guide quality matters most. Tim, Jack, Mikey, Harley, Kyle, Drew, and Tony Collins have all been praised for friendly service, safety, or good humor. Drew received special praise for working well with children ages eight and eleven, while Harley was noted for checking on comfort and safety. Tony Collins was singled out for explaining canyons, plants, and animals during the outing.

Not every guide may give the same amount of park information. One account found the younger guides excellent at driving but less strong when explaining the area or helping with photographs. I would book this for the activity first, with the educational side as a valuable bonus.

The bluff and Bigfoot’s Hideout slot canyon

After the open-air ride, the group reaches a bluff with views across the dunes. From there, a roughly five-minute walk leads to the entrance of Coral Pink Slot Canyon, also called Bigfoot’s Hideout.

The canyon portion lasts about 20 minutes and has two parts. It is described as a moderate exploration, so you should be ready for uneven ground and a little physical effort, but it is not presented as a long trek. The short walk is a good change of pace after the UTV noise and motion.

I like this stop because it gives the tour some texture. The dunes can feel huge and exposed, while the slot canyon narrows the view and brings attention to the rock. It is also a useful part of the outing for family members who enjoy scenery and photos more than speed.

The canyon is not the main event for most people booking this activity. The UTV ride and sandboarding receive the strongest praise, and the canyon visit is relatively brief. Still, calling it a bonus undersells its value. It breaks up the ride, adds a distinct setting, and gives the guide a chance to discuss local plants, animals, and the area’s past.

Star Dune sandboarding and sledding

The final section heads to Star Dune, where you can slide down the sand. This is the part many families remember most, and it offers two different styles.

The supplied boards include standing sandboards and lie-flat sled-style boards. The standing board feels closer to snowboarding, while the flat board is simpler for a first try. You can try both, which makes the activity accessible to a wide range of ages and confidence levels.

The boards may need waxing before use. One participant described the guide waxing the boards before the runs, helping them move more easily over the sand. You should expect some trial and error. Sandboarding is not identical to snowboarding, and staying upright on the standing board may take a few attempts.

The big practical advantage is the return trip. Walking back up a dune after every run can drain the fun quickly. Guides can drive down and pick you up at the bottom, allowing you to make several attempts without turning the outing into a leg workout. A family account described getting about five runs because of this shuttle help.

The ride back also adds to the playful mood. You slide down, laugh at your wipeout or successful run, then get a quick lift back up. That arrangement is one of the clearest reasons the tour offers more value than simply renting a board and trying the dunes alone.

Choosing the best time of day

The tour lasts about two hours, but the time of day can change how it feels. Morning departures offer more daylight and can fit neatly with another activity in Kanab later. A 10 a.m. outing has been used by people planning an afternoon slot canyon tour.

Late afternoon is appealing for different reasons. A 5:30 or 6 p.m. start can mean cooler sand, softer light, and a chance to finish near sunset. The pink and orange tones of the dunes should look especially good at that hour, and several accounts describe the sunset setting as a high point.

The drawback is that weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and the operator can cancel for poor conditions. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Wind is also worth considering. It can make the ride more dramatic, but it can blow sand into your face and equipment.

Is $139 per person a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity. Add the $15 state park entrance fee per vehicle, and a family of four will need to plan carefully. You are paying for more than a ride, though.

The fee includes the UTV experience, a guide, bottled water, the slot canyon visit, sandboards, and transport back up the dune after your runs. If you tried to arrange separate dune transport and equipment, the convenience would be harder to reproduce on your own.

The value is strongest if you plan to use all three parts of the tour. A person interested only in a quick UTV ride may find the price high. A family that wants an easy introduction to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, with equipment and guidance included, may find the cost reasonable because there is little planning or route-finding involved.

The tour also saves effort. You do not need to figure out the best dune for beginners, haul a board up after each run, or decide how to fit the slot canyon into your visit. That convenience is important in a hot, sandy park.

I would still compare the price with your full southern Utah budget. The tour is most worthwhile if it becomes one of the main activities of your day, not a rushed add-on between other costly excursions.

Who will enjoy this best?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and friends who want active fun without committing to a full-day expedition. Beginners are welcome, and the mix of sitting, walking, riding, and sliding gives different ages something to enjoy.

It suits children and adults who like speed, though the UTV ride is not described as gentle. If someone in your group dislikes fast or bumpy driving, that person may not enjoy the main part of the outing. The guides can help with comfort and safety, but you should choose this because you want an adventure, not because you expect a calm sightseeing drive.

It is also a good choice for mixed-interest groups. One person can enjoy the canyon, another can focus on photography, and the whole group can share the sandboarding session. The tour does not require everyone to be highly skilled.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance for the canyon, UTV boarding, or dune runs, so ask ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co directly if you need specific assistance.

Practical details that can make the day better

Wear clothes and shoes you do not mind filling with sand. The activity is built around dunes, so sand is not a minor possibility. It gets everywhere.

Bring sun protection and consider eye protection if the forecast is windy. Bottled water is included, but you should still think about the heat, especially during earlier departures.

Plan to arrive at the stated meeting point with enough time to get organized. The location is in the state park area, and the park entrance fee is separate from the tour price.

The free cancellation policy is useful for a weather-sensitive activity. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The company may also cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached, offering another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV tour?

Book it if you want the most active introduction to Coral Pink Sand Dunes and like the idea of combining speed, scenery, and sliding. The UTV ride and sandboarding are the clear stars, while the slot canyon gives the outing a welcome change of setting. The ride back up the dune is a small detail that makes a big difference.

I would choose a late afternoon departure for cooler sand and sunset color, if the schedule suits you. Families should feel comfortable booking it, especially with a guide such as Drew, Harley, Jack, Mikey, Tim, or Tony Collins leading the group, though the exact guide cannot be promised.

Skip it if $139 per person feels too high for a two-hour activity, or if fast UTV riding sounds stressful rather than fun. For everyone else, this is a lively, well-rounded way to experience one of southern Utah’s most unusual parks without spending the day hiking uphill through sand.

FAQ

Where does the Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV tour start?

It starts at 12500 S Sand Dunes Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

What activities are included?

You ride UTVs, take a short walk to Coral Pink Slot Canyon, explore the canyon for about 20 minutes, and finish with sandboarding or sledding at Star Dune.

Are sandboards provided?

Yes. Sandboards are included, including boards for sandboarding and sled-style sliding.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included in the tour price.

Is the state park entrance fee included?

No. The state park entrance fee is separate and is listed as $15 per vehicle, subject to change.

Is the tour suitable for beginners and families?

Yes. Beginners and families are welcome, and most people can participate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.