Bruneau Dunes State Park
Also known as Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $7Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below6-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- parksandrecreation.idaho.gov(208) 366-7919
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Park updateFall 2026: Park winterization begins October 18, 2026. Campgrounds, Day Use area and RV dump stations will have no water. Potable water will be… (more)
Fall 2026: Park winterization begins October 18, 2026. Campgrounds, Day Use area and RV dump stations will have no water. Potable water will be available in the Equestion campground’s frost free water hydrants until mid-March 2027. • The Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee is required for park entry. It is the responsibility of the driver to bring cash or check as the Visitor Center and Entrance Kiosk hours vary. Failure to pay the MVEF will result in a Citation or Surcharge (IDAPA 26.01.20). • View our campground maps before making a reservation. • Reservations are required for the Broken Wheel and Eagle Cove campgrounds. Reserve and pay for sites online or call 1-888-922-6743. • Campsite check in is 2 pm. Cabin check in is 3 pm. These times are strictly enforced. If you arrive before 2pm/3 pm you may park in observtory or day use parking and visit the rest of the park. • The Equestrian Campground is first-come first-serve through the self-pay tube in that campground or payment can be made at the Visitor Center when open. • Sandboard rentals are available at the Visitor Center. Rentals stop when the temperature reaches 80°F or 3 pm, whichever happens first. • Winter Daytime School…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 4,897 acres, Bruneau Dunes State Park lies in Owyhee County, about 15 miles south of Mountain Home.
Visitors come for horseback riding, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites, equestrian camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Day-use locations within state parks are open from 7 am to 10 pm, per Idaho state code 26.01.20 (5). Day-use hours may change based on park manager discretion.
Main Observatory season runs every weekend March 15-October 15. Winter hours may vary, please contact the park for more information. Sand board rentals run year-round. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week during season. Hours vary during winter, please contact the park for more information. Water in most park facilities will be turned off mid-October. Water is available year-round in the Equestrian Campground from 3 frost-free spigots.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Boise).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Entranc Fee | $7 |
| Motor Vehicle Entranc Fee | $10 |
| A Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee of | $7 |
| Group Use Fees | $25 |
| All non-tax-exempt motor vehicles entering the park must pay the | $7 · year |
| Each additional person is | $10 |
Official wording
Motor Vehicle Entranc Fee $7 RV Dump Station $10 Please note: The park reserves the right to close the observatory early due to weather or lack of attendance. A Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee of $7 per vehicle is required to enter Bruneau Dunes State Park. Group Use Fees- $25 is due upon submittal and are non-refundable, even if your permit is denied. Other fees may be applicable and due upon approval. All non-tax-exempt motor vehicles entering the park must pay the $7 entrance fee or display a valid Idaho State Park Passport and or annual Motor Vehicle Entry Fee pass. Base Viewing Fees covers up to 15 people. Each additional person is $10.00 each.
Idaho park passes
- Idaho State Parks Passport — $10 per vehicle per year (Idaho residents, bought with vehicle registration). Waives the motor vehicle entrance fee at Idaho state parks; camping and other fees still apply; not valid for Park N' Ski Details
- Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual sticker — $80. Waives the daily motor vehicle entrance fee (aimed at out-of-state guests) Details
From the Idaho state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- IDPR reservation system (getoutside.idaho.gov)
- Phone
- 1-888-922-6743
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording · leash up to 6 feet
Pets: Yes on a 6-foot leash
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Overnight: 82 serviced; 35 standard; 2 ADA campsites; 2 cabins (1 ADA)
General accommodations: Cabins, RV Campsites, Tent Campsites
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Bruneau Dunes State Park Cabins
Bruneau Dunes State Park Cabins
Our small (11’ 3” square) camper cabins are situated with an excellent view of the dunes and sleeps five on a bunk bed and futon. From the large front porch, you can sit on the swing and gaze out at the dunes. The cabins are furnished with a small table, two small benches, electricity, and an A/C & heating unit. Each cabin has a picnic table and fire ring. Guests must bring their own bedding.
Mid-October through mid-March; water and restroom/shower facilities are not available. Vault toilets are located nearby.
The charge for cabin rental is $87 – $97 per night. Reservations can be made by calling 888-922-6743 or booking online at getoutside.idaho.gov
For same day cabins stays please call the park ahead of arrival to ensure availability. No Walk-Ins will be accepted for Cabins after 3pm MST.
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingCampingHikingFishingHistoric sites and toursHorseback ridingRanger and interpretive programsCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingBoatingPicnicking
Trails
Trail Types: • Hike
- Bike
- Horse
Boating and paddling
Boating: Ramps, electric motor boats only
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- Equestrian camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
ADA Accessibility Features: • ADA Cabin
- ADA Campsite
- ADA Restroom
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 27608 Sand Dunes Rd
Mountain Home, ID 83647 - Nearest town
- Mountain Home — about 15 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 42.9100, -115.7097
- Phone
- (208) 366-7919
- BRU@idpr.idaho.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Location: 64 miles south of Boise, ID | 259 miles northwest of Ogden, UT | 181 miles north of Elko, NV | 115 miles southeast of Ontario, OR
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Idaho State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jul 8, 2026
- WordPress REST API, custom post type state-park (backs the Find a Park page)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology