Visitor guide · Southern Utah
Sand Hollow & Coral Pink Sand Dunes Visitor Guide
Quick answer
- Day-use fee
- Sand Hollow: $25 per Utah-resident vehicle, $35 non-resident. Coral Pink Sand Dunes: $15 per vehicle (up to 8 people). Utah Division of State Parks fee pages.
- Flag
- Utah law requires a red or orange flag at least 6 by 12 inches, 8 feet above the ground, on designated dunes, which include Coral Pink and the Sand Mountain area at Sand Hollow.
- Registration
- OHVs must be registered. Sand Hollow's brochure asks for current Utah OHV registration.
- Helmets and training
- Riders 17 and under wear helmets. Sand Hollow's brochure says every OHV operator needs a safety course; Coral Pink's says operators need a license or state certification.
Two state parks hold most of southern Utah's dune riding. Sand Hollow State Park, near Hurricane east of St. George, has a reservoir and the red dunes of Sand Mountain. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, near Kanab, is a smaller dune field with pink sand and its own campground. Both are run by Utah State Parks, and both have rules you need to meet before you ride.
Fees
| Sand Hollow | Coral Pink Sand Dunes | |
|---|---|---|
| Day use | $25 per vehicle (Utah resident), $35 (non-resident) | $15 per vehicle, up to 8 people |
| Utah seniors | $10 | $10 |
| Walk-in | $5 | Not listed |
| Source | Park fees | Park fees |
Camping is extra at both. Fees change; check the park's page before you go.
Rules on the sand
Flag. Utah law (41-22-10.7) requires a red or orange flag at least 6 by 12 inches, at least 8 feet above the ground, on dunes the state designates. Coral Pink and Big Sand Mountain at Sand Hollow are designated under R650-410-1. Sand Hollow's brochure requires whip flags on all motorized vehicles in the dunes, and Coral Pink's 2026 brochure requires an orange whip flag on OHVs.
Registration. Sand Hollow's brochure says OHVs must have and display current Utah registration. Coral Pink's says OHVs must be registered. Per the state's OHV brochure, non-residents need a Utah non-resident OHV permit and proof of the state's OHV education course.
Training and licenses. Sand Hollow's brochure says an OHV safety course is required for all operators. Coral Pink's says operators need a driver license or state OHV certification. The state's course is free.
Helmets. DOT-approved helmets are required for riders under 18 at Sand Hollow and riders 17 and under at Coral Pink, and both parks urge every rider to wear one.
Speed. Coral Pink's brochure sets 15 mph on park roads and 5 mph in the campground.
Sand Hollow
Riding is on Sand Mountain, reached through a tunnel south of the OHV staging area, per the park brochure. The park also has boating, swimming and several campgrounds. The park posts closures for big events on its home page; in October 2026 it listed campground and OHV lot restrictions for UTV Takeover. Call the park at 435-680-0715 with questions.
Events at Sand Hollow and nearby Hurricane on our calendar: Matt's Off Road Games (Mar 18–20, 2027); Trail Hero 2027 (Sep 27–Oct 2, 2027). Expect crowds and some closures on those dates.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The park's 2026 brochure says 1,200 acres of dunes are open to riding, about 90 percent of the dune field, with part set aside as habitat for the Coral Pink tiger beetle. Stay out of the closed areas. Rangers ask OHV riders to contact park staff about additional rules, and the park's OHV safety tips page is worth reading before a first visit.
Before you go
- Air down before the sand and air back up before you leave. Our airing-down guide covers pressure and safety.
- Carry water. The Tread Lightly / American Sand Association guide says at least 5 gallons per person per day in desert locations.
- Ride with someone, and know where the slip faces are.
- Bring recovery gear: boards and a shovel at minimum.
- Check the park page for closures and fire restrictions on the day.
FAQ
How much does Sand Hollow State Park cost?
Day use is $25 per vehicle for Utah residents and $35 for non-residents, $10 for Utah seniors, and $5 for walk-ins, per the park's fee page.
How much is Coral Pink Sand Dunes?
$15 per vehicle (up to 8 people), or $10 for Utah seniors, per the park's fee page.
Do I need a flag?
Yes, on the dunes at both parks: red or orange, at least 6 by 12 inches, at least 8 feet above the ground, under Utah law.
Do I need to register my OHV or take a course?
Utah requires OHVs to be registered; non-residents need a Utah non-resident OHV permit and proof of the state's OHV education course, which is free, per the state's OHV brochure. Sand Hollow's brochure says all OHV operators need the safety course.
Are helmets required?
DOT-approved helmets are required for riders under 18 at Sand Hollow, per its brochure, and Coral Pink's brochure says riders 17 and under must wear one. Both parks urge every rider to wear one.
Can I drive my street-legal 4x4 on the dunes?
Sand Hollow's flag rule covers all motorized vehicles in the dunes. Registration rules differ between street-legal vehicles and OHVs, so ask the park what applies to yours before you go.
Sources
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/sand-hollow/park-fees/
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Sand-Hollow-new-brochure.pdf
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/sand-hollow/
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/park-fees/
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/coralpink-digital-brochure-2026.pdf
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/ohv-safety-tips/
- https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/
- https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title41/Chapter22/41-22-S10.7.html
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/utah/Utah-Admin-Code-R650-410-1
- https://recreation.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025-OHV-Safety-and-Law-Brochure.pdf
- https://americansandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/images/documents/brochures/treadlightlysandduning.pdf
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