UTV Dune Cruise and Surf at Coral Pink Sand Dunes

The best part of this outing is that it packs three very different experiences into about two hours: a fast UTV ride, a short slot canyon walk, and sandboarding at Star Dune. I especially like the easy ride back up the hill after each run and the way the tour works for first-timers, children, and mixed-age families.

I also like the chance to see Coral Pink Sand Dunes from several angles rather than simply walking around the park. Sunset departures can soften the heat and add beautiful light. The main consideration is the price, $139 per person, plus a $15 state park entrance fee per booking, and the UTV ride can feel rough and fast if you prefer a quiet outing.

Key reasons to consider this Coral Pink Sand Dunes tour

• Three activities in one: Ride a UTV, walk through a slot canyon, then sandboard or sled down Star Dune.
• A real break from uphill walking: The UTV returns to the bottom of the sledding hill, so you do not have to climb the sand after every run.
• Family-friendly pace: Beginners and most ages can take part, with guides helping participants feel comfortable.
• Useful photo stops: The bluff, slot canyon, dunes, and Sandsquatch display all give you different photo settings.
• Flexible feel: Reviews describe both lively, fast rides and guides who adjust their help to children and first-time riders.
• Best near sunset: Evening departures can mean cooler sand and softer light, though morning trips leave more time for other Kanab activities.

What the two-hour outing is really like

This is not a quiet scenic drive. It is a short, active outing built around speed, sand, and several quick changes of pace. You begin at 12500 S Sand Dunes Road, at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and finish at the same meeting point.

The group can include up to 35 people, although the feel may vary with the particular departure. Some descriptions from the outing suggest a small group atmosphere, while the official capacity is larger. You should expect a guide-led route rather than a free-form UTV rental. Your guide sets the pace, explains the stops, and helps with the sandboarding equipment.

The package includes the UTV, bottled water, and sandboards. Bring your own clothing and sun protection, and expect sand to get everywhere. One useful tip from the experience is to consider goggles on a windy day. The sand can sting when the UTVs move quickly, and it will certainly find its way into shoes, pockets, and bags.

The UTV ride across the orange dunes

The opening UTV ride supplies the biggest rush of the day. The route crosses the broad dunes and includes quick movement over uneven sand. If you like a lively ride, this is likely to be your favorite section. Guides including Drew, Mikey, Tim, Jack, Kyle, Harley, and Tony Collins have been praised for making the ride fun and helping participants feel at ease.

The UTV also gives you access to parts of the park that would take more effort to reach on foot. Coral Pink Sand Dunes are striking because the sand spreads in smooth, rust-colored ridges beneath the surrounding hills. From the vehicle, you get changing views as the dunes rise and fall around you.

I would not describe the ride as gentle. One guide may keep things fairly relaxed, while another may take a more spirited line through the sand. The tour suits you if you want a bit of bounce and speed. If you dislike quick turns or rough riding, you may find this part tiring.

There is also a playful Sandsquatch, or Bigfoot, theme during the ride. The stop is more about fun and photographs than serious wildlife spotting, but it gives children a memorable detail to look for. The route eventually reaches a bluff with broad views over the dunes and nearby park scenery.

A short walk into Bigfoot’s Hideout

From the bluff, you take a roughly five-minute walk to the entrance of Coral Pink Slot Canyon, also called Bigfoot’s Hideout. The canyon portion lasts about 20 minutes and is described as a moderate, two-part exploration.

This is a useful middle section because it slows the outing down after the UTV ride. You can look more closely at the colored sandstone, narrow passages, and shapes made by wind and water. Guides may also point out local plants, animals, and facts about the area. Tony Collins, in particular, has been praised for explaining the canyon and local flora and fauna during the outing.

Do not book this tour expecting a long canyon trek. The walk is short, and the slot canyon is an added feature rather than the main event. That is part of the appeal for families: you get a taste of a slot canyon without giving up most of the day or committing to a demanding hike.

The short walk does mean you should wear footwear that can handle sand and uneven ground. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a completely flat or effortless route. If a member of your group has trouble with moderate walking, ask the operator before booking.

Sandboarding and sledding at Star Dune

The final major stop is Star Dune, where you can try sandboarding or sledding. This is where the outing becomes more playful and often more competitive. The supplied boards include both lie-flat sled-style boards and standing sandboards, so you can try a sitting or belly-down run before attempting the snowboard-style option.

The boards are prepared for the sand, and guides help participants get started. Several outings have included repeated runs, helped by a UTV ride back to the bottom or top of the hill. That return service matters more than it may sound. Walking up soft sand is hard work, and the lift back means you can spend your energy on another run rather than on the climb.

Sandboarding takes a little practice. The first run may be slow or wobbly, especially if you try standing. Sledding is the simpler choice for many beginners, while the standing board gives you a more demanding challenge. You do not need previous experience, and the tour is designed to let you try both styles.

This is also the part most likely to leave you dusty. Sand will cover your clothes, hair, and gear, so avoid bringing anything delicate. I would keep phones and cameras secured, especially during the ride and while climbing onto the boards.

Why the guide can shape the whole experience

The route is fixed, but the guide can change the tone of the day. Drew has been singled out for working well with children aged eight and eleven, helping the family feel safe, and adding extra sledding runs. Mikey, Jack, Tim, Kyle, Harley, Wyatt, and Tony Collins have also been named for friendly service, safe driving, good humor, or explanations along the route.

That range matters because this is a group experience. You may be paired with people who want a fast ride, while your own group prefers a slower pace. A good guide can keep the outing moving without making beginners feel left behind.

The strongest part of the guide service appears to be practical help: explaining the boards, checking comfort levels, driving back up the sand, and helping with photos. The educational detail may vary. Some descriptions praise the information about the park, wildlife, and plants, while one account found the younger guides stronger at driving than at park interpretation.

I would book this for the activity first and the natural-history talk second. If your main goal is a detailed lesson about the park, a dedicated ranger program may suit you better. If you want a guide who keeps the family moving and makes the activities easy to try, this tour has the right setup.

Choosing the best time of day

The tour lasts about two hours, so timing can shape your comfort. A morning departure gives you more flexibility afterward. One 10 a.m. outing left enough time for a separate afternoon slot canyon activity in Kanab.

Late afternoon can be more atmospheric. A 5:30 or 6 p.m. departure may bring cooler sand and better light, with some outings finishing close to sunset. That timing is appealing if you want photographs of the dunes with longer shadows and warmer color.

The tradeoff is simple: earlier departures give you more daylight for other plans, while evening departures may be kinder on hot sand and more attractive for photos. The park can be exposed, so the cooler timing is worth considering if you are traveling in warm weather.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The operator can also cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the same choice of a new date, another experience, or a refund.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not a cheap walk through the dunes. You also pay a $15 state park entrance fee per booking, subject to change. The value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise try to arrange yourself.

You are paying for a guided UTV route, water, boards, instruction, access to a slot canyon stop, and transport back up the sand after sledding. That last point gives the package a practical edge over simply renting or borrowing a board and trying to manage the dunes on foot.

The value is strongest for families and first-time visitors. You do not need to work out where to ride, where to board, or how to retrieve tired children from the bottom of the hill. You also get a guide who can help with photos and keep the outing on schedule.

The value is weaker if you only want a short scenic visit or if you already have your own dune vehicle and equipment. In that case, the added cost may feel high. Still, the combination of UTV riding, canyon walking, and sandboarding makes it more than a standard dune drive.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it for families with children, couples seeking a lively side trip from Kanab, and friends who want an active break from the region’s longer hikes. Most skill levels can participate, and the activities can be enjoyed without prior sandboarding experience.

It is also a good choice for a mixed group. One person can enjoy the ride, another can focus on photographs, and children can spend their energy on the boards. The slot canyon adds variety for anyone who likes scenery more than speed.

Think twice if you dislike fast vehicle rides, hot sand, or getting dirty. The tour is not built for a slow, silent appreciation of the park. It is a compact adventure with bumps, wind, and a fair amount of sand in your clothes.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The provider offers the tour in English and sends confirmation at booking. Since the official maximum is 35 participants, contact the operator ahead of time if your group has special needs or concerns about the walking section.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is 12500 S Sand Dunes Road, Kanab, Utah 84741. The outing ends back there, which makes it easy to plan your next stop without arranging separate transport.

A mobile ticket is accepted. The tour includes bottled water, but you should still dress for sun, heat, wind, and sand. Goggles are worth considering on windy days, and a secure phone case can save you trouble during the ride.

The cancellation rule is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The cutoff uses local time.

The tour is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 31 days in advance. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a good reason to reserve early if you want a sunset departure or need to fit the outing between Zion, Kanab, and other southern Utah plans.

Should you book the Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV tour?

Book it if you want an active, family-friendly way to see the dunes and you like the idea of combining a fast ride with sandboarding. The strongest reasons are the variety, the guide support, and the UTV ride back up the sledding hill. You get more than a scenic loop, but you also avoid turning the day into a long hike.

Skip it if $139 per person feels too high for a two-hour activity, or if you prefer a quiet park visit without speed and sand. For most families, first-time visitors, and anyone looking for a memorable southern Utah side trip, the mix of UTV riding, Bigfoot’s Hideout, and Star Dune gives the price a fair case.

FAQ

How long does the Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 12500 S Sand Dunes Road, Kanab, Utah 84741, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the UTV, bottled water, and sandboards.

Is the state park entrance fee included?

No. The state park entrance fee is listed separately at $15 per booking per vehicle, subject to change.

Do I need previous sandboarding experience?

No previous experience is stated as required. Beginners and families are welcome, and the outing offers both sandboarding and sledding.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 35 participants.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded. If weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.