Lake Powell ~ Kayaking ~ Hiking ~ Sand Dune
Trip Overview
Sand King is a combined paddle and hike on Lake Powell near Page, Arizona that leads to a large sand dune hidden in a canyon on the eastern side of Castle Rock across from Wahweap and Stateline launch ramps. The trip typically involves an easy 2 Mile paddle followed by a short hike to an epic sand dune. Climbing and descending the King is a classic local tradition!
Length: Paddle = Approximately 4 Miles round trip depending on water level ~ Hike = 0.75 mile round trip
Difficulty: Paddle = Easy/Moderate depending on weather ~ Hike = Easy/Moderate
!WARNING! Sudden winds and boat traffic can make this paddle get very choppy and difficult.
Hiking Terrain: Soft sand, Massive dune
Park Pass/Permit Required: Yes – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area or National Park Pass
Directions to the Launch
This paddle and hike can be approached from two directions. Both are the same paddle distance but it is advisable to use Stateline because you can park right near the launch and avoid a long walk up the ramp.
~ Stateline Launch Ramp: Turn east off Highway 89 at the clearly marked “Wahweap North Entrance” sign at mile marker 554. Follow Wahweap Blvd for 1.8 miles, passing through the fee booth at 1 mile. Take a left onto Stateline Drive, and the launch ramp is 0.6 miles ahead. The paddle craft launch area is located directly below the Quagga Mussel Check Station, accessible through a gap in some concrete barriers.
~ Wahweap Launch Ramp: Turn northeast off Highway 89 onto Lakeshore Drive at the “Wahweap South Entrance” sign. Drive through the fee booth and continue for 4 miles, then go right at the 4-way stop for another 0.25 miles to the launch ramp.
Sand King Paddle and Hike Description
This paddle takes you to a short canyon directly across from both Wahweap and Stateline Launch Ramps within the Castle Rock formation, leading to an easy hike to an absolutely awesome sand dune. Water levels greatly affect the length of the paddle through the canyon, but while the paddle itself may not be the most exciting, the dune is a must-see Lake Powell attraction. Pull your kayak or stand-up paddleboard up on the beach at the back of the canyon, and follow a well-worn trail through willows and tamarisk bushes for a quarter mile, wrapping around a cliff bulge and into an alcove that houses the Sand King Dune. The hike up the dune is a challenge, with the steep climb requiring you to crawl on all fours as you huff and puff your way to the top, but the exhilarating run down is well worth it. Flipping, rolling, and jumping down the perfectly smooth, supple sand is a long-cherished local tradition. This paddle and hike are typically combined with the Ice Cream Canyon paddle for a fantastic loop through Wahweap Bay.
This paddle is considered “easy” or “beginner” by most but it is important to understand that Wahweap Bay is a large, open body of water that can become rough very quickly due to wind and the crazy amount of boat traffic in the summer. It is advisable to get an early start when most of the hazards are at their minimum or come in the cooler months when sudden storms and wake boats are not a thing.
