Between Zion National Park and the Vermillion Cliffs to the east is an area of hills, terraces, and buttes.   The Sand Hills are found in that area, with Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park as the centerpiece.    Driving east through Zion, we arrive at Mt. Carmel Junction.   From there, drive 6 km south to the signed turn to the park.   A fee is charged at the entrance station to park and walk the sand dunes.

The dunes were created about 15 000 years ago from strong prevailing winds which blew sand particles from surrounding sandstone hills, funneling through a notch between the Moquith and Moccasin Mountains.   As the winds funnel, the speed increases (the Venturi Effect), carrying sand particles and depositing them into the valley in the Sand Hills.

Some of the dunes are transient, but others are held in place by vegetation.

The tallest dunes had no vegetation and change shape every time we go there.   The lower dunes varied in the amount of grasses and shrubs growing on them.   Some of the areas on the edge of the wind pocket had well-established junipers.

We hiked among the dunes and noted animal tracks away from areas where OHV’s had not erased tracks and mangled vegetation.

We also hiked through the Sand Hills to a canyon, working our way down the sand and gravel slopes to the bottom of Elkheart Canyon.   Recent rains had carried sand and silts down the wash below the slot canyon.

The slot canyon is narrow at the bottom and there are several obstacles to climb.

This was a solo effort (with people waiting back at the car) and the obstacles were difficult ones that might have been managed by a group effort or with some equipment so I went as far as I could up the canyon and back.

Not far away is Red Cave Canyon too, but I will need to return to finish these with friends who enjoy canyoneering.   The Sand Hills area is not a destination on its own, but with its proximity to Zion National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, and more wonders of the Southwest.

More Information:

• A better piece on Elkheart Canyon
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes