Sand Hollow adventure guide
Red Sand Dunes and Blue Water: The Sand Hollow State Park Adventure Guide
Dunes, a reservoir and a boat ramp, about 4 minutes from camp.
Utah State Parks calls Sand Hollow "Utah's most popular state park." It's easy to see why.
A 1,322-acre reservoir sits against red sandstone. Right beside it, the dunes of Sand Mountain run for thousands of acres. And from Jellystone Park™ Zion it's about 4 minutes down Sand Hollow Road. For the full park rundown, see our Sand Hollow State Park guide.
Getting there from base camp
Jellystone Park™ Zion sits at 505 S Sand Hollow Rd, Hurricane, about 3.5 miles and 4 minutes from the state park entrance. That's the park's own figure, and it's approximate.
Base camp play: ride or paddle in the morning, then be back for lunch and the pool. You never trailer the boat across two cities.
Sand Mountain and OHV riding
Two agencies run two ways in. Pick the one that fits your day.
Inside the state park
OHV riding is allowed on the south and east sides of the reservoir. Sand Mountain is reached through a tunnel south of the park's OHV staging area. Park entry fees apply. Utah State Parks describes the Sandpit Campground's OHV loop as giving direct ride-in, ride-out tunnel access to Sand Mountain.
BLM Sand Mountain Open OHV Area
The Bureau of Land Management runs the adjacent area, designated an OHV open area in 1999. Its main trailhead is Waddy's Corral, off Sand Hollow Road near the Southern Parkway. BLM lists no fees. Dispersed camping is generally allowed for up to 14 days in any 28-day period.
Rules to know before you unload
- OHV education. Utah Code 41-22-31 requires riders under 18 to complete the youth course, and riders 18 and older to complete a one-time adult course.
- Registration. OHVs need current Utah registration. Out-of-state machines need a Utah non-resident permit. Check the Utah OHV Program for current costs.
- Helmets. Required for riders under 18 and strongly recommended for everyone.
- Whip flags on all motorized vehicles in the dunes.
- Stay on the riding areas. No riding on vegetation or on dirt in the campgrounds.
Key takeaway: confirm your registration, course proof and whip flag before you leave the driveway, not at the staging area.
Rentals: if you don't own a machine, the state park's Rentals and Food page lists what its concessionaire offers. Use that page for current options.
Boating, jet skis and paddling
Sand Hollow has a boat ramp with floating docks and open water for skiing and tubing. When we checked on November 12, 2026, the park reported the main ramp open with good launching conditions.
- Mussel awareness course. Utah requires boaters, including kayak, canoe and paddleboard users, to take it, and you must show proof before launching.
- Inspections. Out-of-state boats are inspected before launching. Ski and wake boats with ballast need a 30-day dry period or a decontamination wash.
- Jet skis run between sunrise and sunset, and every rider wears a life jacket.
- No refueling on the water. The reservoir is the county's source of drinking water.
- Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. That includes paddleboards and kayaks.
Check the park's conditions page and algae notices before you swim or launch; the park currently posts algae watch levels.
Cliff jumping, realistically
The park invites visitors to hike to the cliff-jumping rocks, and its rules say glass is prohibited on the sandy beaches and the cliff-jumping rocks.
- The park calls climbing, jumping and diving from rocks hazardous. It's at your own risk.
- Check water depth and entry points yourself. Never jump alone.
- On some event days the park closes the cliff-jumping rocks early, and at times it closes the cliff-jumping area for training. Watch the park's events notices.
- Skip swimming right after heavy wind or algae warnings.
Key takeaway: the safest cliff-jumping plan is a conservative one. Go with an adult who has been there, and leave the glass at camp.
Planning notes for 2026 and 2027
- Construction notice: from December 1 to February 2027, the Washington Water Conservancy District will do construction inside the park, affecting the southern beach day-use areas, Beachside Campground and Cottages, and Sandpit Campground. Potable water may be off for a few hours at a time.
- Spartan Race: full park closure March 4–7, 2027, including all campgrounds, day-use areas and the boat ramp. The park reopens Monday, March 8.
- Winter 4x4 Jamboree is listed for January 20–23, 2027.
Dates come from the park's events list on November 12, 2026. Check the park page for updates.
Your Southern Utah base camp
Why Jellystone Park™ Zion is the Sand Hollow base camp
Jellystone Park™ Zion is the ultimate luxury base camp for all things Southern Utah adventure, and Sand Hollow is the closest big adventure to camp.
- Dust off, then splash. In season, the Yogi Bear™ Water Zone has slides, a lazy river and a floating obstacle course on the lake; it reopens March 13, 2027. Off-season, campers have a heated lap pool and hot tub.
- Room for the rig and the toys. Full-hookup RV sites for rigs up to 75 feet, and glamping cabins when the trailer stays home. Comparing options? Read the best campgrounds near Sand Hollow.
- Campfire nights. Swap ride stories at your site's fire pit.
- Next up: if you want a quieter shoreline, look at Quail Creek and Gunlock. Riders can read about slickrock at Gooseberry Mesa. Browse more things to do near our Southern Utah base camp.
Plan your Sand Hollow base camp at Jellystone Park™ Zion.
People also ask
Is Sand Hollow State Park worth visiting?
Yes. Utah State Parks calls it the state's most popular park for a reason: warm blue water, red sandstone, a boat ramp, beaches and the Sand Mountain dunes in one place.
Do you need a permit to ride at Sand Hollow?
You need current Utah OHV registration (or a non-resident permit), and riders must have completed the required OHV education course. BLM lists no fee at Waddy's Corral; state park entry fees apply inside the park.
Can you camp at Sand Hollow?
Yes. The state park has five camping areas and two cottages, open year-round, with reservations highly recommended. BLM land next door allows dispersed camping up to 14 days in a 28-day period.
Can you jump off the cliffs at Sand Hollow?
The park lists cliff-jumping rocks but calls jumping and diving from rocks hazardous, so it is at your own risk. Glass is prohibited on the beaches and the cliff-jumping rocks.
How much does Sand Hollow State Park cost?
When we checked on November 12, 2026: $35 per vehicle for non-residents, $25 for Utah residents and $5 for walk-ins. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during daylight saving time and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. the rest of the year.
Sources & official links
- Sand Hollow State Park (Utah State Parks) · Current conditions · Park fees
- Boating and decontamination · Camping and lodging · BLM Sand Mountain Open OHV Area
Facts were checked on November 12, 2026. Drive times are approximate and assume no traffic. This guide is published by Jellystone Park™ Zion and is not affiliated with Utah State Parks or the Bureau of Land Management. Book now.