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Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground, near Bruneau, Idaho, is a unique destination known for its stunning sand dunes and exceptional stargazing opportunities. The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it suitable for various camping styles.

Visitors rave about the star gazing programs run by park staff, especially during the summer months. With a new telescope facility set to open soon, campers can look forward to even better views of the night sky. As one camper noted, “When the weather is clear, the stars are just amazing!”

The campground features well-spaced sites, particularly in the Broken Wheel loop, which many recommend for its added privacy and amenities like picnic tables and electric hookups. Clean facilities, including showers and restrooms, help make your stay comfortable after a day of exploring the dunes or enjoying the nearby observatory.

For those who love outdoor activities, the area is perfect for hiking and sand sledding. The impressive dunes are a sight to behold, and the park's unique landscape offers a great backdrop for photography. Just be prepared for the heat in the summer; some campers suggest visiting in the spring or fall for a more pleasant experience. Whether you're here for the dunes or the stars, Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground has plenty to offer.

Description

State Park

With one of the longest camping seasons in the Idaho Parks system, Bruneau Dunes State Park offers camping opportunities throughout the year. Campsites and cabins are available with plenty of first-come, first-served sites too. Bruneau Dunes State Park boasts the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America with a peak rising 470 feet above the surrounding desert floor. Explore the dunes in your hiking boots or rent a sand board from the Visitor Center, but off-road vehicles are only permitted on the main road. You can also fish for bluegill in the lakes at the foot of the dune; unlock the mystery of the desert with a breathtaking hike or horseback ride; plan a group picnic or visit the Bruneau Dunes Observatory and gaze at the night sky through the Observatory's collection of telescopes. (Observatory open Friday and Saturday evenings, April through mid-October.)

Location

Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Address

27608 Sand Dunes Rd
Bruneau, ID 83604

Coordinates

42.91125729 N
115.71504367 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Poor
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

31 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 11, 2024

Nice spot

Arrived a bit late and didn't have a chance to explore but lovely landscapes. Enjoyed the protected shelters, but it was very windy. The showers and flush toilets were closed for the season, which kinda sucked but the pit toilets were clean. Would visit again!

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2023

Love their constellation / star gazing programs

While the dunes at Bruneau make for some fun sledding, my favorite part is the star gazing program offered by the park staff during the summer. A new telescope facility is being completed and will be open by June of 2023. We weren't able to use it, but we were able to look at smaller telescopes the staff had out. They also used lasers to point out constellations in the sky. When the weather is clear, the stars are just amazing! 

For camping, I recommend the Broken Wheel loop. A lot of the sites have a shelter over the picnic table, and they are also spaced out more than the Eagle Cove loops. Most of the sites have water and 30 amp or 50 amp service. The park has its own dump stattion you can use on the way out.

SiteBroken Wheel, 19
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Josh D., April 25, 2023
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Josh D., April 25, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2023

Sites good, showers lacking

Campground was good. Great view of night sky. Super windy, tents beware. The showers at the Eagle Cove campground were awful. The water barely dripped out and had that sulfur smell that sometimes comes from wells.

Site58
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Two thumbs down Campsite for tents

Well, that wasn’t fun. If anyone is planning on tent camping here, I would highly suggest going somewhere else. The dunes are awesome, but wow were the sites a let down. The fields had no grass and minimal shade. I ended up sleeping in my car but with the heat, needed the windows down. That’s when I entered mosquito hell and spent the night swatting skeeters all night. For an rv, sure good spot but tent campers beware.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Dan G., July 17, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2021

Hot in the summer

We had to stay inside with the air conditioning on and avoiding mosquitoes in July. Maybe March is a good time. The dunes are cool and the observatory is a fun extra feature.

Site31
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica M., July 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica M., July 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica M., July 6, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2021

Dark sky area and really unusual sight

Senior discount,  Dark Skies, Observatory, Tallest Dune in N.A., definitely worth a night or two.  

Our son was stationed at Mountain Home AFB and deployed in the Iraqi war, Enduring Freedom.   We did not have the chance to visit as a result.  While in Idaho, we swung by the base and then headed to Bruneau Dunes SP at his recommendation.  It was not what we expected.   I won’t lie.   It’s a desert folks … well, more accurate,  high plains.  But what a cool place.  The sites are basic & not a lot of shade to be found.  But the bathhouse is emaculate.    Great showers to wash off the sand from climbing the dunes.  Even if you aren’t staying at the campground,  you can shower for $3.  If you are interested in astronomy or astronomy photography,  this is a great place.   The observatory wasn’t open the day we were there.  I didn’t get meet the host, but heard great things. The dump station is large.  AT&T service, spotty.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Nancy C., June 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Nancy C., June 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Nancy C., June 23, 2021
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2021

HOT

Dunes are impressive and worth a hike. Virtually no shade in Eagles cove area. Wagon wheel is more shades. Super hot at time of visit- 101 F

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2021

Hot

Hot, windy, bugs...great kayaking! Bathrooms are clean. If you don't have ac...whew

Site69
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 18, 2021

Beautiful but hot

Electric and water hook-up, there is only well currently for the whole area. Observation area still closed due to upcoming work. A 2nd will be added next year. No shade except what you bring.

Site69
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 13, 2021

Dunes Above orhers

Checked in late as the sun was setting. Just in time to get thru dinner as the Sand Dunes turned purple majesty. Free hot showers heated bathrooms and great views of the Dunes. Recommend the SW corner sites 31, unobstructed views

Site31
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Apr. 26, 2021

Open, sandy basic campground with some unique interesting sights nearby

The campground is not why you go here. The sites are very basic, sandy, close together however, if you like sightseeing and exploring this place is unique and interesting. The sand dune is huge and weird to see in the middle of this farmland. Not another one for hundreds of miles. That, and the stars at night are really mind blowing. 

We visited in the winter. the campground was all but empty, maybe 4 campers all weekend. The forecast was for 28 degrees Saturday night and my thermometer read 8 degrees in the morning. The RV did fine and didn't freeze up.  Whether you come here in winter or summer, be prepared!  Bring everything you'll need including water, food, warm and/or cool clothing depending on season. It's out there a ways!  The little town of Bruneau (10 minutes away) is not too far away, but they don't have much in the way of supplies or groceries. Mountain Home has everything - about 30 minutes away.

This is an interesting and fun place for a day or two. Wouldn't stay longer than that. The $30 we paid for a full hookup trailer site was a bit on the high side in my opinion, but everything is going up, so it's somewhat a common price.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jan. 1, 2021

A hidden gem in Idaho!

Bruneau Dunes State Park is a hidden gem in Idaho just 20 min off I-84 in Idaho not far from Boise. There is a small field of sand dunes in the park and the largest dune is the largest active dune structure in NorthAmerica. A couple of lakes and ponds are also found at the base of the dunes. There are 3 campgrounds in the park, one is an equestrian one. Only the outhouses are open in the winter and water and showers are turned off in winter but electrical hook ups are still available. Great views of the sand dunes from the campgrounds as well. Marginal cell reception with Verizon. Signal too weak for AT&T.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Emma A., January 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Emma A., January 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Emma A., January 1, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 12, 2020

Sand Dunes

My first time in Idaho and talk about diversity and beauty. Bruneau Dunes is just another example of the variety of experiences to be had within this state! Windy, sunny and sandy best describes the whole park. The sand was a little toasty so I kept the dogs mostly in the shade. Sliding down the dunes is pretty cool. The pond/lake was low and mucky when we were there and I don’t know if fishing would be an option. The campground is adequate and well maintained. The picnic shelters help some with the sun and wind. Bring good anchors for anything you want to set up. The staff was nice and informative. Definitely worth a look see just cause it’s cool.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Shelly S., November 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Shelly S., November 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Shelly S., November 12, 2020
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Oct. 28, 2020

Nice place off the beaten path

Stayed here for one night. It was during the pandemic, so the showers were closed, which was a bummer.  Other than that, it seems like a good place.  The sites are big, level, and well manicured.  A few sites have shade trees while others have covered picnic tables.  We were just passing through, so it wasn't convenient for us. If you're doing something in the area (river, dunes, etc.), it's a good option.

SiteBroken Wheel Loop, site 29
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Mar. 28, 2020

Wide Open Spaces

While the sites themselves leave much to be desired, Bruneau is awesome. The camp hosts have been there for 7 years and are super friendly and helpful. The restrooms are in tip-top shape and there are several features that made this an awesome spot for our family-a dog park within walking distance, open grassy space for playing whiffle ball, etc and the ability to ride bikes to the Dunes-about 1 mile from the Broken Wheel site. It does get super windy though. And although we have only been in the fall and spring, I have heard you really cannot walk on the sand in the summer-too hot! Overall, we love it.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Andrea M., March 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Andrea M., March 28, 2020
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Andrea M., March 28, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2019

Really hot

Some very nice camp sites but it is actually like your in a desert. It gets very cold at night and hot and dry during the day. The hike up to the top of the big one was hard but very rewarding.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Easton S., July 22, 2019
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Easton S., July 22, 2019
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Easton S., July 22, 2019
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2019

Sites are meh. Sights are awesome.

Sites are pretty standard, not many with shade, and I could see it getting pretty close on a busy weekend. Loved being able to walk to a s bike up the dunes. We didn’t get in the water, but would have if we had a raft or something. The clearest night sky you could ask for makes some awesome stargazing. Also there’s an observatory on the trail, but we didn’t get a chance to visit. We were there on an off day. If you’re hiking the dunes consider footwear. It looks like it would be fine to hike barefoot or in flip flops because it’s not an ankle turner, but the sand can get burning hot, literally.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by C M., July 12, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2019

Best place for star gazing

We went there during the July 4 th weekend 2 nights 3 days. The landscape is amazing and it's an awesome place for star gazing. I happened to see shooting stars a few times. The camp host is also friendly and helpful. We didn't expect the wind to be so strong that our canopy was destroyed overnight. Make sure you always being insect repellent. It has lots of mosquitoes during the Summer. It is also way too hot during the summer time. Would recommend going there in the fall. We would recommend to hike among different sand dunes and the attend the observatory that is available Friday and Saturday nights.

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2019

Cool location but not my favorite campground

Campsites are very close to each other, not much to obscure or for privacy from other campers. Very little shade so would be very hot midsummer. Cool location to check out the dunes

Reviewed May. 1, 2019

Perfect campground for spring getaway.

Wagon Wheel campground is nice place to relax. Nighttime star show is spectacular. The sand dunes are fun to climb. Sound of freedom with Air Force fly overs.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Sonja L., May 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Sonja L., May 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Sonja L., May 1, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2019

Fun, Educational, Diverse Landscape

Lakes, dunes, the beautiful night sky, and wildlife galore! We stayed in a camper cabin and it was cozy and fun! Will definitely be back. The staff was also very knowledgeable and helpful.

SiteCabin
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Chelsea C., April 30, 2019
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2018

Big and open

There is many places to camp, fish and hike up the largest sand dune in North America! It is very clean. Only downfall is that there is no good swimming, the water is all dirty.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Brett P., September 23, 2018
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Brett P., September 23, 2018
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Brett P., September 23, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

Excellent spring and Fall spot!

Great place to go in spring or Fall..Sand dunes are amazing to slide down..Van get hot in summer but they have full hookups..

Site68
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Prepare for Sand

Cool place for photos and exploration but be ready for sand! Bandana around the face doesnt hurt. The observatory is close by to see outer space. Lovely place and the staff at the visitors center are friendly and helpful.

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

Very flat and open

This is a great campground but it’s very flat and open. Spots are very close together.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 16, 2018

Well kept & clean! Had a nice time there!

Rented a cabin in April/May as it was expected to be rainy & chilly! Surprisingly, the weather warmed up a bit so it was just windy & chilly at night.

The only bad thing was (and it's not the park's fault) that Mountain Home AFB decided to do JET maneuvers at 1, 2, and 3 AM , causing a night's sleep to be non-existent!

Will definately be back during warmer weather for TENT camping, hopefully on a weekend so the observatory will be open! Currently, it's only open on Friday & Saturday! I was there earlier in the week!

SiteAndromedia Cabin
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2017

The Sahara of Idaho

If you don't want to leave Idaho but you want to feel like you're in the dessert, this is an awesome place to camp! We stayed here during Boise Questival and found that it was close, conveneient, and reasonable pricing! Happy camping!

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2017

Sand Dunes and Fishing

Great campground in the middle of no where. No wifi contrary to their claims online. Still plenty to do even though it was really hot.

Site77
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica C., September 7, 2017
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica C., September 7, 2017
  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Jessica C., September 7, 2017
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2017

Rain and shine

Had an amazing time at the Bruneau Dunes State Park!!

it rained the evening that I arrived but each campsite had a sturdy covered area over a pick nick table. It was amazing!

The next day, the weather cleared up and we were able to explore the sand dunes. It was windy which made the heat more bareable.

  • Review photo of Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground by Kim K., June 14, 2017
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground?

    Camping at Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground can cost between $29.00 and $39.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground has water hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is poor, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is poor.