Did I ever think about trying out surfing? Yes. Have I done it *yet?* No…but I can say that I’ve surfed the sands of the of the Utah State Park, “Coral Pink Sand Dunes.” As this was just one of our last minute adventures during a week long trip centered around Zion National Park, I can excitedly say that it was one of my favorite and most memorable few hours yet, especially since we unexpectedly got to check out the Moqui Cave Museum nearby. Let’s get into it, shall we?

First Impressions of Coral Pink Sand Dunes: Way Bigger Than Expected

Let me begin by stating that they blew my mind much more than I’d anticipated. Both, for that matter. But particularly the sand dunes, which I thought would be pretty epic, but they were simply on a next level. It was such an intense shift of scenery and so incredibly different from back home, that it took the entire time walking up to them to actually realize how vast they were.

You see, from pictures, they look cool, okay. And from the roadside, well they of course look big. (It was also cool how we got glimpses of the pink sand on the road leading up to them!) But if you’ve never saw a sand dune up close, DUDE, they are MASSIVE.

 

From Michigan to Utah: Comparing Dunes and Dreaming Bigger

The only sand dunes I ever remember being beside were in Michigan with my dad when I was a teenager. I remember them being beautiful by the great lake and so majestic blowing with the wind. I never even thought about how much more massive ones must be that were actually in a desert or on a different continent, (which I hope to plan on visiting one day!)

Of course, these can’t compare to the ones in the Sahara or other massive deserts. So I’ll give some examples, mmkay?

Coral Pink Sand Dunes of Kanab, Utah:

• The tallest dune is estimated to reach around 75-100ft
• The entire park covers around 15.1 square kilometers
• Fun fact – This state park is home to the tiger beetle, which is found *no where else* in the entire world!

Sahara Desert Sand Dunes (North Africa):

• The tallest dune is estimated to reach around 600-1,000ft
• The entire desert covers around 9.2 MILLION kilometers. (Gulp).
• Fun fact – These dunes are STILL not even the tallest on earth. You’ll have to head Northwest Argentina where the tallest dune stands at a jaw-dropping 4,035ft tall. 😳

As you can tell, they have some giant differences. But I think about them sort of like our hikes…as we grow into hiking further and more incredible trails, we have the luxury of researching and finding more and more awe-inspiring ones to travel to next. When I was younger, I got to experience a small sand dune that still managed to wow me. And now, these ones in Utah blew my mind all over again. Maybe someday, we’ll have the opportunity to travel to others as well and be inspired and amazed even more.

Trying Sandboarding for the First Time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes

If you’ve never surfed before on either a sand dune or in the water, you may be wondering what all it entails. I really had no idea what to expect (notice a pattern on this trip 😅), but it was a really cool experience through and through.

We made our way out onto State Highway 59, for our little over an hour drive out to the park. On the way, your girl *really* had too much water and electrolytes, (of course trying my best to stay hydrated in the desert), and so we needed to find a pit stop with a bathroom nearby. I’ll get more into this shortly and how freaking cool of a stop it actually ended up being…

Until then, let me talk about the process of renting boards and if they’re needed.

 

I’ve talked a few times about surfing, but sandboarding is actually a lot more like snowboarding. Sandboards however, are usually wider and shorter but still need waxed just like snowboards do. If you fall in the sand though, prepare for a bit more impact as the snow typically cushions you much more than the grainy sand does. (I learned this after every single run!)

Entrance to the park itself is only $10, and renting a board is $25. They give you a wax bar as well to keep with you for reapplying after each go. We rented a board each, but you could always rent just one to share and save some moolah.💸

After we paid and grabbed our boards, we headed out of the station and into the dunes. There was a walkway on part of the trail, but most of it was just sand. PLEASE DO remember to bring sandals or flip flops because holy guacamole that sand is hot on the feet. 🥑🦶

It’s actually suggested to wear closed toe shoes or legit hiking sandals to ensure your feet don’t get burned by the extreme heat. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, (again, bad planning), it’s not advised to go barefoot because of the critters such as the previously mentioned tiger beetle and SCORPIONS that may be hiding beneath the sand. Oh my gawwwdd guys, this is why we now do extreme research ahead of time! To make sure we are safe and secure in all of our activities. Please make sure to do the same! <3

Climbing the Dunes: Exhausting, Exhilarating, and 100% Worth It

We hiked up the first smaller ones to get an understanding of what it would be like, and of course, it was MUCH harder than we’d thought. Once we got the hang of it though, we ventured out to the biggest one, (because why not), where we made our way to the top.

It was a HARD climb straight up the dune, but totally worth it nonetheless. We soaked up the view for a while before making our way down, which was awkward, unbalanced and super fun. We got back up and did the trek about 4 times total, before our legs had been too tired to go at it again. This was a way more intense workout than I’d imagined, and I wished we had more stamina to keep going back up the dunes to surf down it again.

It’s a place I’d love to go back to someday, and hope to take a trip to others as well in future trips. The vibes there were chill, quiet, and peaceful as you looked around the top of the dunes while the wind blew around you. How grateful I am to have been able to make it here for a few hours that have given me memories to last a lifetime. Please go if you get the chance!!🏂

Unexpected Detour: Moqui Cave Museum and a Whole Lot of Cool

Now, on our way to the dunes, I needed a pit stop. We’ve talked about going #1 in the desert before in this post, where I mentioned how much the Kula Cloth came in clutch for when I needed it most during a hike.

(Psst, and you can snag yourself one for FREE when you subscribe to Habitual Balance! Drop a comment if you have any questions!)

Little did I know that I’d be walking into yet another memorable adventure just chilling on the side of the road. It’s called the Moqui Cave Museum and if you’re passing by, definitely add it to your to-do list. Not only does it have some cute little food trucks out front, but also offers a clean bathroom (which is what we initially made the stop for) and a WHOLE ENTIRE CAVE inside!!

 

 

While it wasn’t super obvious of what it was from the road, it is definitely an interesting stop to add to your trip. Located in Kane County, Utah, this ancient cave was first a home to its previous owners in the 1950s that made it into a fully functioning bar with live entertainment! (The original bar handmade by Garth is still there on display!)

Garth Chamberlain, who studied geology and much more, collected thousands of artifacts which are now on display which includes arrowheads, ceremonial items, dinosaur tracks and even a fluorescent mineral display! It now has a gift and rock shop, which includes Native American items to collect as well.

It was truly an amazing place to cool off from the heat (usually staying around 65 degrees year round!), and grab a souvenir (and a history lesson!) at the same time.

 

 

 

Why Being Present (and Sometimes Unplanned) Creates the Best Moments

Often times we plan, plan, plan these epic adventures that result in cliffside trails, wild boars and swimming in 100ft deep water. But then, we stop and *don’t* plan a trip for once and get the opportunity to end up in some of the coolest places in the world just like this one.

Planning my life is something I try to work on doing a little more each day, noting that I can do better with this or less of that, focusing on more of gardening and less of scrolling, etc. I’ve learned to look less at the phone on vacations while we drive miles and miles into nothingness, even if there’s nothing to look at but the land around me.

 

 

Years ago, such as the trip like this one, I’d scroll and scroll while Ben was driving, searching for our next adventure. But we didn’t find this stop that way, and I would have never even saw it if I was doing that. It was simply because we didn’t have cell service that I had to stay alert and search for a pit stop, that we just happened to come across this place on our way to the dunes.

While we may miss out on some activities nearby nowadays when we’re traveling, I’m grateful to have recognized that staying present and being in the now allows me to witness way more and interact better with my partner in conversations. It triggers new focus points on things we talk about and gives us a chance to take in the new views together instead of separately.

So friend, if you’re ever considering trying something new, of course do the research that you can ahead of time as this will always let you stay the safest, but I guarantee if you leave it to chance, you may just surprise yourself on what life really has to offer on your way to your next adventure.

Stay present and hike on friends. ✌️🦂