Visiting the Tallest Dunes in Idaho: Bruneau Dunes State park
Plan the perfect weekend to Bruneau Dunes State Park with this complete travel guide. Things to do, where to stay, when to go, all packed into one guide made just for you.
After spending some time in Central Idaho exploring the Sawtooth Mountains and Craters of the Moon National Monument we made it to our next destination, Idaho’s very own sand dunes. Since visiting White Sands & Great Sand Dunes National Park we became hooked on exploring every sand dune we could.
We spent a couple sunny summer days camping at Bruneau Dunes State Park exploring all that we could and it’s by far one of our favorite trips we’ve taken. Incredible night sky viewing, breathtaking dune views, and colorful sunrises make Bruneau Dunes a great place to visit.
If you have just one day or a few days to spare, Bruneau Dunes State Park is totally worth a visit! In this post we are sharing everything you need to know before visiting Bruneau Dunes plus a One Day Guide.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Bruneau Dunes
Getting to Bruneau Dunes
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Things to do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT BRUNEAU DUNES
Bruneau Dunes State Park is a 4,800 acre park located in Southwest Idaho. It became a state park in 1967 and is known for having the tallest single structure dune in North America at 470 feet tall. The sand dunes are thought to be the remains of the Bonneville Flood that occurred 15,000 years ago. The park features an observatory for excellent night sky viewing, campground with views of the dunes, and of course sand boarding down the dunes.
ENTRANCE FEE
$7 per vehicle or free with an Idaho State Park Pass.
PET POLICY
Bruneau Dunes State Park is pet friendly, allowing furry friends to explore the trails, climb the dunes and stay overnight in the campground. They must be leashed at all times and always pick up their waste.
GETTING TO BRUNEAU DUNES
Bruneau Dunes State Park is located in Southwest Idaho between the cities of Boise and Twin Falls in the Snake River Plain. Its central location makes it a short day’s drive from other popular attractions in the area such as the Sawtooth Mountains and Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Mountain Home - 19 miles or 25 Minutes
Boise - 60 miles or 1 Hour
Twin Falls - 83 miles or 1.5 Hours
Pocatello - 188 miles or 2 Hours and 45 Minutes
Idaho Falls - 235 miles or 3 Hours and 15 Minutes
WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bruneau Dunes State Park is during the months of April through November when the parks popular programs and amenities are available. There is no water, restrooms or shower facilities open during mid October to mid March. As well as the parks popular evening night sky observatory program.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Bruneau Dunes is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when Bruneau Dunes State Park. There is no food in the park. So, make sure you pack a good lunch and plenty of snacks.
Sandboard / Sled
What a better way to explore Bruneau Dunes than by sled. Sand boards can be rented at the visitor center for $15 per day.
Sun Protectant
There is no shade on the dunes so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring the park.
Camera
Whether you’re at the top of the dunes, fishing on the lake or gazing up at the night sky, Bruneau Dunes is a place to be remembered.
LED Flashlight
For exploring desert life at night. Fun fact: scorpions contain a protein that makes them light up under a LED flashlight. It’s pretty cool to see.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
Visitor Center
A great place to start your day in the park. Load up on information, pick up a park map and get exploring. Also available are sandboard rentals, restrooms, gift shop, park exhibit, and water. Hours vary by season so check for current conditions before planning a trip.
Campground
Open year round. Broken Wheel and Eagle Cove Campgrounds offer 82 sites with water and electric and 32 dry camping sites. Restrooms and shower facilities are available as well as charcoal grills and picnic tables at each site. Cell signal is minimal. Reservations can be made online or in the park.
Cabins
There are 2 small cabins available to stay in inside the park. Each sleeps 5 and comes with a bunk bed, futon, small table and front porch with views of the dunes.
THINGS TO DO
Climb the Dunes
For unbeatable views climb to the top of the tallest single structure dune in North America! Rising 470 feet from the desert floor the steep hike to the top of Bruneau Dunes is challenging but well worth the effort. For a complete hike take the 2.3 mile Dunes Loop Trail for incredible views of the Dunes Lake and the surrounding desert area. You can also grab a sled or sandboard and slide down the dunes for a more exhilarating experience. This is one of the best ways to see the park and definitely our favorite.
Catch a Sunrise
Start the day off right at Bruneau Dunes with a colorful sunrise. This is one of the best ways to experience the calm and peaceful moments of the park before the crowds start to come in. We took in the morning sunrise from our campsite in the Broken Wheel Campground, and I got to say, it was breathtaking.
Star Gaze
Experience a truly starry night at the Bruneau Dunes Observatory. On Friday and Saturday nights during the months of April through October the Bruneau Dunes Observatory offers evening tours of the night sky with their state of the art telescopes. Tickets are first come first served and can be purchased at 8 p.m at the Steele Reese Education Center on the night you wish to attend.
We were able to see planets such as Saturn, constellations, as well as, learn about light pollution and how it affects the area. Also offered is an evening walk through the desert to see scorpions and other night life.
Stay Overnight
One of our favorite things about visiting an amazing state park is being able to stay overnight at a campsite after a long day of exploring. There’s nothing like winding down the day and enjoying the parks quiet moments at sunset. Bruneau Dunes offers RV & Tent sites, cabins and equestrian sites. Reservations can be made online or at the ranger station.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop at the visitor center, check out the park exhibit and secure a campsite if staying overnight.
Climb to the top of the dunes and take in the views.
Enjoy lunch at a picnic table at the head of the dunes or under the trees by the lake.
Evening Night Sky Observatory Program - $5 per adult, pick up tickets at Steel Reese Education Center at 8 p.m.
Wake up early for sunrise the next morning.
Let us know if you’ve ever been to Bruneau Dunes State Park in the comments below!
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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