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Coral Pink Sand Dunes Lodging
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1.888.848.6358
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Sand
Dunes Forum
The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park!
Stay in Mt. Carmel Jct., the heart of the parks, and visit
the treasures of the Southwest.
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Zion Park 12 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
South Canyon 75 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Coral Pink Sand Dunes Vacation with our Utah Maps
and Information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Coral
Pink Sand Dunes State Park. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps,
pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds
and things for kids to do.
Making summer memories in the Utah national parks, state parks
and Utah national monuments.
Utah!
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Coral
Pink Sand Dunes Map
Southern Utah Map
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
From Zion National Park. Exit Zion Park through the east entrance and drive 12
miles to the junction U-9 & US-89. This is Mount
Carmel Junction. Turn
south on US-89. Turn-off to the sand dunes 3 miles from Mt. Carmel Junction.
Follow Yellow Jacket road for 8 miles to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State
Park.
Common King Snake and author of the site,
Tanya.
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes - Fauna
Standing on the boardwalk at the dunes, piles and piles of sand are in view.
Panoramic views reveal few plants dotting the harsh landscape, but not an animal
in site. Nothing. But look closer. Look for tracks in the sand. Soon you will
notice traces of life. Paw prints, lizard toes, bird tracks and snakes all live
at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Many animals have adapted to the dry desert life
of the dunes.
Amphibians
such as salamanders and toads can be found near small water sources.
Endangered Endemic Coral Pink Tiger Beetle
It is always interesting when a small area is host to one of a kind species;
sub-species in this case. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes is home to the Coral Pink
Tiger Beetle. The harsh sandy desert environment of the dunes is the only place
on the planet that this sub-species of tiger beetle exists. The adult beetle
tends to eat other insects. The bright green headed beetle lives in one
of the smallest home ranges of any species of animal on earth. The adult Coral
Pink Tiger Beetle habitat is the upper dunes and the larva inhabit grassy interdune
swales. Swales of Coral Pink Tiger Beetles are evident in the spring.
Animals at the Sand Dunes
In the hot arid climate of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, many species of animals
survive due to their ability to adapt to a changing environment. Animals living
at the dunes include the ring-tailed cat, mule deer, black-tailed jack rabbit,
coyote, fox, mountain lion, bobcat and the cottontail. More than mammals tread
the hot sands. Reptiles have found their niche at the dunes including the plateau
striped whiptail, California king snake, Utah milk snake, Utah Mountain king
snake and the sonoran lyre snake. Some of the birds that are in the park visit,
but do not nest there. The bird list includes the bald eagle, peregrine falcon,
golden eagle and mourning dove. Even bats find a home in the arid, sandy desert.
Not as common, but salamanders and toads exist at the dunes . They find
water where it is scarce, (usually from melted snow) to help stave off dehydration.
Common King Snake
Most snakes are more active during warm weather and the Common King Snake is
no exception. The snake is usually a medium sized animal, 35 - 80 inches in length.
King Snakes are constrictors and eat a wide variety of food including amphibians,
birds, reptiles and rodents. The Common King Snake is immune to rattlesnake
venom and will feast on their young.
Bald Eagle
A beautiful and elegant bird, the bald eagle, soars the skies above the Coral
Pink Sand Dunes. The desert nesting Southwestern Bald Eagle
is smaller than the more common variety. The Bald Eagle likes fish, but the southwestern
bald eagle also eats small mammals and birds.
Jack Rabbit
Big feet, donkey ears and long legs characterize this odd looking animal. Those
same characteristics are what helps this desert dwelling animal beat the heat
by releasing heat through the large surfaces. The black-tailed jack rabbit is
a hare, rather than a rabbit. Therefore the name "jack rabbit" is a
misnomer. A better name would have been "jack hare." The hare uses
the coolness of the night to forage for food and its keen sense of hearing and
sight help to elude predators.
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