Day Trip Guide to Bruneau Dunes State Park (Idaho): Sand Dunes in Southern Idaho
(Updated: 2023)
Bruneau Dunes State Park is an area located in southwestern Idaho of sand dunes and desert. When I say that the state of Idaho has nearly every kind of landscape you can think of, believe me. I knew Idaho was a high desert, but I didn’t consider that that would mean there would be an entire stretch of sand dunes too! These are located in Bruneau, Idaho, a little over an hour's drive from Boise.
And these dunes are special. Bruneau Dunes is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America at 470 feet tall! This is not to be confused with the tallest star dune in North America that we are likely more familiar with; Star Dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Here is everything you need to know about visiting an incredible Idaho scenic landscape, Bruneau Dunes State Park.
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What is the Best Time to Visit Bruneau Dunes?
The best time to visit Bruneau Dunes State Park is in Spring (March through May) and Fall (September through November). However, Bruneau Dunes has one the longest camping seasons of all the parks in Idaho so visiting (and camping) are still available in the winter months but it will be chilly!
Summers here are hot and some activities will not be available due to how scorching hot the sands get by midday. If you visit during the summer months, I recommend getting there early in the morning when the park opens to get the most from your day comfortably and safely.
Regardless, come prepared with plenty of water to keep you hydrated and sunscreen!
How Long Do I Need in the Park?
How long you need to get the most of Bruneau Dunes State Park depends on the level of activity you are seeking, though just a few hours to a day is plenty in my opinion. There are camp spots in the park, however, so making your visit into a weekend trip is totally possible and would give you the opportunity to fulfill most, if not all, of the activities to do around the park listed below.
How to Get to Bruneau Dunes State Park
You will need a car to drive to Bruneau Dunes State Park as there is no public transportation to the park. Whether that be road-tripping into the state or flying in and picking up a rental when you get here. Bruneau Dunes is located in Bruneau, ID about an hour’s drive from the capital city of Boise so its location is convenient to surrounding airports. Get directions on Google Maps.
If you are flying into the state of Idaho the closest airports are:
Boise International Airport (BOI): 58-minute drive (60 miles)
Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF): 1-hour 34-minute drive (89 miles)
Where to Stay Near Bruneau Dunes State Park
We only stopped by the park for a few hours on our drive from Boise to Twin Falls for a night, but Bruneau Dunes State Park has campgrounds and cabins and is within a close drive to nearby towns where you can find hotels or Airbnbs. Here’s the breakdown:
Campgrounds on Site
Campgrounds are only available for part of the year. Fees for the RV and tent campgrounds are broken down by the type of campsite and whether you are a resident or non-resident. Please note that these prices are subject to change and in addition to the nightly campsite fee, you will still be required to pay the vehicle entrance fee!
Non-Resident Campground Fees
Basic campsites: $17 per night
Electric campsites: $29 per night
Equestrian campsites: $17 per night
Resident Campground Fees
Basic campsites: $14 per night
Electric campsites: $26 per night
Equestrian campsites: $14 per night
Cabins on Site
There are two cabins available to reserve in the park. Fees range from $67-72/night. The cabins have heat, AC, and electricity, and sleep up to 5 people. These are BYOB (bring your own bedding).
Nearby Towns with Other Accommodations
Mountain Home, ID (25mins)
Hagerman, ID (58mins)
Boise, ID (1hr, 8mins)
Jerome, ID (1hr, 9mins)
Buhl, ID (1hr, 19mins)
Twin Falls, ID (1hr, 28mins)
Things to Do in Bruneau Dunes State Park
Visitor’s Center
Stop by the Visitor’s Center to talk to the park rangers about the best activities and sites for you and your abilities, as well as the accessibility of different areas of the park depending on weather and dry conditions. While you are there, grab a souvenir and check out the small museum on site.
This is also where you can pay the entry fee to the park which is $7 per vehicle.
Observatory
Experience these desert skies as you’ve never experienced them before with stargazing at Bruneau Dunes! The Bruneau Dunes Observatory provides tours and solar viewing from the park’s collection of telescopes - weather and COVID permitting. Check their website before your arrival to confirm the observatory is open.
Hiking
There is one main hiking trail around the park. This hike is called The Dunes 6-mile hiking trail because guess what - it’s a 6-mile loop through sand dunes! This “trail” follows white markers along the way to help guide you but you should also use landmarks and a map to keep you on course.
This trail climbs and descends sand dunes including the tallest one in the park at 490 ft tall so for some, this hike may be strenuous. The total time it would take to complete the loop is about 3-6 hours.
TIP: It is important that you bring with you plenty of water for this journey. The park recommends 1-2 quarts per person and advises if you do the hike during the summer go in the early morning or evening.
Sandboarding
Sandboarding in Bruneau Dunes is a bucket list activity! Sandboards are available to rent from the Visitor’s Center for $15/day to board down the sand dunes! This activity is unavailable once the temperature gets too hot due to the risk of burning yourself in the hot sand. Another reason to visit in the mornings during the summer.
Horseback Riding
Trails specifically made for horseback riding are available at Bruneau Dunes State Park. You can learn more about these trail routes here & the care of the equestrian facilities here.
Fishing on Dunes Lake
Dunes Lake, one of two larger bodies of water in the park, is a popular fishing spot in the state. There are regulations such as bag limits and necessary licenses, but if fishing is one of your favorite pass times, this little lake could be a good stop for you. You can learn more about fishing at Dunes Lake here.
Tips for Your Visit
Come prepared with plenty of drinking water to remain hydrated.
You are going to have shoes and socks filled with sand…
Drones are not allowed outside of the parks’ designated areas. You will need to speak with a park ranger to know this location.
By midday, especially during the warmest months, the sand is very hot to touch. You may not be allowed to rent sandboards from the Visitor Center at that point but you can still hike through the dunes. Wear proper footwear to protect your feet from burning and remember, if the sand/ground is too hot for you to stand on barefoot, it’s too hot for your pets. Protect their paws!
Print, download, or grab a map from the Visitor Center prior to beginning any trails to familiarize yourself with landmarks and your surroundings along your hike.
Visit the Bruneau Dunes State Park website or talk to a ranger in the office to get updates on the current fire ban status at your campsite.
Nearby Attractions
Boise, Idaho (1hr, 5mins)
Blue Heart Springs (1hr, 16mins)
Twin Falls, Idaho (1hr, 23mins)
Shoshone Falls State Park (1hr, 30mins)
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (1hr, 33mins)
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve (2hrs, 17mins)
Photo by Dan Meyers of Unsplash
Resources
Address: 27608 Sand Dunes Rd, Bruneau, ID 83647
Phone Number: (208) 366-7919
Hours: 7AM - 10PM (For day use location within the park. Operation times are subject to change based on the discretion of the park manager)
Website: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/bruneau-dunes/
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