Bruneau Dunes State Park, Sand dune park in Owyhee County, Idaho.
The park extends across 4,800 acres of desert landscape, featuring lakes, wetlands, and sand formations reaching heights of 470 feet above ground level.
The park's sand deposits originated from the Bonneville Flood 15,000 years ago and have remained in a natural basin for more than 12,000 years.
Native American communities inhabited the region for thousands of years before the area became a designated state park in 1967.
Visitors can participate in sandboarding, fishing, hiking, camping at 82 RV sites with utilities, and observe stars at the public observatory from March to October.
The sand dunes maintain their position due to opposing wind patterns, with southeast winds occurring 28 percent and northwest winds 32 percent of the time.
Location: Idaho
Inception: 1967
Website: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/bruneau-dunes
GPS coordinates: 42.89580,-115.67800
Latest update: May 30, 2025 07:40
Idaho's remote locations offer access to diverse landscapes ranging from alpine lakes nestled in mountain ranges to volcanic formations and high desert terrain. The state contains geological features formed over thousands of years, including lava tubes that preserve ice year-round, sand dunes rising hundreds of feet, and one of North America's deepest river canyons. Historic mining towns preserve architecture from the silver boom era, while natural hot springs dot the landscape alongside waterfalls that cascade through forested valleys. These destinations span from the granite spires of City of Rocks National Reserve, where climbers tackle routes on 600-foot rock formations, to Priest Lake in the northern forests, stretching 19 miles through conifer-covered wilderness. Visitors can explore the black lava fields of Craters of the Moon, spanning over 1,100 square miles, or descend into caves where ice formations persist despite surface temperatures. The Snake River carves through Hell's Canyon at depths reaching 7,900 feet, creating opportunities for rafting and fishing. Whether hiking to Sawtooth Lake at 8,800 feet elevation, observing stars from an observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park, or walking through the Victorian streets of Wallace, these locations provide experiences across Idaho's varied terrain.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
60.8 km
Thousand Springs State Park
65.6 km
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
60.5 km
Three Island Crossing State Park
29.8 km
Lucky Peak State Park
77.3 km
Lucky Peak Lake
76.1 km
Crater Rings
36 km
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church
60.5 km
Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness
55.8 km
Pole Creek Wilderness
79.1 km
Big Jacks Creek Wilderness
58.4 km
Bengoechea Hotel
26.2 km
Little Jacks Creek Wilderness
50.4 km
Diversion Dam and Deer Flat Embankments
79 km
Elmore County Courthouse
26.3 km
Owsley Bridge
66 km
Schubert Theatre
78.9 km
Owyhee County Courthouse
79.4 km
Our Lady of Limerick Catholic Church
31.6 km
Thompson Mortuary Chapel
78.9 km
Gorby Opera Theater
31.7 km
Mountain Home Carnegie Library
26.2 km
Bruneau Episcopal Church
9.9 km
Black Cliffs Rock Climbing
79.1 km
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center
64.2 km
Bruneau Canyon
12.9 km
Sandy Point Beach
77.1 km
Balanced Rock Park
70.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes