Best Equestrian Camping near Bruneau, ID

Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground features an equestrian loop designed specifically for visitors camping with horses. The campground provides electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities for both riders and their animals. The equestrian area is separated from the main camping loops, allowing for dedicated space for trailers and horse activities. Fire rings, picnic tables with shelters, and restrooms with showers are available to all campers. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and there are also cabins for those preferring more shelter. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, particularly in areas near the small lakes at the base of the dunes.

Trails around the park connect riders to the unique landscape of Bruneau Dunes, which contains North America's largest single-structured sand dune. The park spans several hundred acres, providing ample space for short rides around the facility. The best times for horse camping are spring and fall, as summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making riding uncomfortable for both horses and riders. Winter camping is possible with electrical hookups remaining available, though water is turned off and only pit toilets are accessible during colder months. Riders should bring their own feed and water buckets, as the facilities focus on space rather than horse supplies. The park requires reservation for equestrian sites, which fill quickly during peak seasons from April through October.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Bruneau, Idaho (7)

    1. Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Bruneau, ID
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 366-7919

    $29 - $39 / night

    "Bruneau Dunes State Park is a hidden gem in Idaho just 20 min off I-84 in Idaho not far from Boise."

    "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!"

    2. Swan Falls - Idaho Power

    16 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    37 miles
    Website

    "Dyrt found this gem of a free waterfront site while passing through SW Idaho."

    "Both the idaho power side and further down the gravel road gives you numerous options for camping. Dam makes for great fishing too!"

    3. Celebration Park

    12 Reviews
    Melba, ID
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 495-2745

    $2 - $5 / night

    "It is remote and wild with non-stop views from every site and many outdoor activities nearby."

    "Sites are next to the river and have amazing views of the surrounding terrain.

    Trash cans are located at each designated site as well as a level area to set up."

    4. Halverson Bar/Lake

    2 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 384-3300

    "Its pretty close to the snake river, and at the trailhead of a non vehicle trail. Its after Celebration Park on Victory Ln, you drive around the park and it turns into a dirt road."

    "Not much elevation difference, on a good path."

    5. Fall Creek

    3 Reviews
    Corral, ID
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 653-2242

    "Our campsite was clean and had a cooking stand next to the picnic table. I would very much recommend this campground."

    6. Silver City Campground

    3 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 896-5912

    "Free campsites right on the edge of town next to creek. The ride up is worth it!"

    "The drive back there takes a little while and the roads are narrow. Cows all over the town. The historical buildings date back to the 1890's and earlier."

    7. Marsing Murphy Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Melba, ID
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 384-3300
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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Bruneau, ID

70 Reviews of 7 Bruneau Campgrounds


  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Swan Falls - Idaho Power

    Not terrible

    A little bit misleading in the description. There are some established camp spots and then there is some “dispersed” camping. In reality the dispersed camping is more like established camping on BLM land.
    It can be a little bit confusing when you arrive but you take a right turn away from the welcome sign. You’ll travel by a boat launch on your left and some construction type equipment on your right as you travel down a dirt road. The mile or so is the established camping in Idaho Power property. It’ll be on your left as your drive. About 2ish miles in you’ll see a beat up sign marking the beginning of BLM land. After that there are turnouts for the “dispersed” camping. There are permanent fire pits and even some pit toilets so not exactly dispersed in the overland sense, but more like camping in the 80’s if you are old enough to remember that.
    You won’t need a 4WD rig. A front wheel drive sedan can do this drive, but the road is bumpy. It was dry when I went to maybe if it’s muddy it would be more treacherous.
    All in not a terrible camping spot. You’re right on the river and the bugs are too.
    Remember, kids, only trash leaves trash and don’t be the weirdos “out in nature” with your Bluetooth speaker blaring music.

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2021

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Nancy C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Andrea M.
    Mar. 28, 2020

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Kim K.
    Jun. 14, 2017

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Jonathan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2020

    Halverson Bar/Lake

    Lava rocks and prickly bush with a view

    Its pretty close to the snake river, and at the trailhead of a non vehicle trail. Its after Celebration Park on Victory Ln, you drive around the park and it turns into a dirt road. BLM or County land I think. Not many folks here. Smells like horse droppings. Pretty rough terrain getting to the end. There was a sign about a mile back that said “3 day camping limit”. You can get to the water, but its a slippery and steep trip. Its beautiful otherwise. There are big critters out here sniffing and jumping onto my camper, making my dog go crazy. Free camping, dispersed, no fresh water, no fires allowed. Hikers going to the trail will walk past your site if you park on the road turnouts... so dont shower outside... lessons learned.

  • Josh D.
    Apr. 25, 2023

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.

  • Mike E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2021

    Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground

    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.


Guide to Bruneau

Horse camping in Idaho offers a unique blend of scenic landscapes and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse enthusiasts.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water hookups and picnic tables

  • At Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground, campers can enjoy sites equipped with water hookups and picnic tables, ideal for a comfortable stay with horses.
  • Fall Creek features reservable sites with essential amenities, making it a convenient choice for those traveling with horses.
  • Halverson Bar/Lake allows for horse camping in a beautiful setting, although it lacks some modern amenities.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The well-reviewed Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground offers a sanitary dump station and electric hookups, enhancing the camping experience for horse owners.
  • Fall Creek provides a peaceful environment with picnic tables and firewood, perfect for relaxing after a day of riding.
  • At Silver City Campground, visitors can camp near historical sites while enjoying the freedom of horse camping in a unique old mining town.

Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails and open spaces

  • Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground is known for its stunning landscapes and offers trails that are great for horseback riding.
  • Fall Creek is surrounded by natural beauty, providing ample opportunities for exploration on horseback.
  • Celebration Park features access to hiking trails that can be enjoyed with horses, making it a versatile destination for equestrian campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bruneau, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bruneau, ID is Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bruneau, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Bruneau, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.