Discover the thrill of the dunes
Bruneau Dunes State Park is located in lovely Mountain Home, Idaho, which is about 44 miles from Boise. The fun that awaits here can be reached by following Highway 51 from Mountain Home South toward the Snake River. Beyond opportunities to admire the dunes, this destination appeals to travelers looking to explore a state park that hosts everything from desert and prairie landscapes to lakes and marshes alike.
While observing your surroundings at Bruneau Dunes State Park is already a thrill, it’s hard to top options to climb up the dunes at your own pace. When you’re ready for a unique experience and gorgeous views, lace up your hiking boots and begin your sandy trek upward. There aren’t any rules about how you reach the summit; you’ll just have to do it on foot as all off-road vehicles are restricted to the main road. If you tackle the largest dune, the journey takes about an hour.
To elevate your outdoor fun even further, consider bringing a sled or renting a sandboard at the Visitor Center before you head up the dunes. Yes, you’ll have more to carry on your journey, but the effort is worth your while. That’s because your reward lies in your slide down the dunes at thrilling speeds. After a few rounds of adrenaline-pumping fun, you can settle in lakeside at the foot of the dunes and spend some time casting a line and waiting for bluegills to bite.
Add hiking, horseback riding, and stargazing to the itinerary
Another wonderful way to spend time enjoying the great outdoors during your Bruneau Dunes State Park visit is to take to the trails. A popular and pet-friendly route here is a 6-mile loop that has an easy-to-access trailhead right at the Visitor Center. The loop winds its way around the dunes and provides around two hours of trekking fun as well as spectacular views.
If you prefer your trails to be explored on horseback, Bruneau Dunes State Park hosts a dedicated equestrian area to enjoy. This is designed for guests who are traveling to the park with their own horse in tow. Many visitors come to ride the trails here and take advantage of the on-site corrals, convenient water spigots, and nearby shelters for breaks or picnics as needed.
When you spend a day at Bruneau Dunes State Park, the outdoor adventure doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. That’s because there are incredible opportunities for stargazing between early June and mid-October on Fridays and Saturdays at the Bruneau Dunes Observatory. If you arrive an hour before sunset, you can use a special telescope designed for safe solar viewing, or take an observatory tour. When the stars come out, participants can spend time looking up at the cosmos through a collection of high-powered telescopes and ask questions of knowledgeable guides.
