Bruneau Dunes State Park and Bruneau Canyon

About 20 miles south of Mountain Home, Idaho is  Bruneau Dunes State Park.  This is a wonderful park with the tallest sand dunes in the state, some being over 400 feet high.  There are hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, lakes for fishing and paddling, equestrian trails, a dedicated equestrian campground, and an observatory which is open during the summer months.

Begin the trip in Mountain Home, Idaho.  To reach the park, start driving on state highway 67 headed towards Mountain Home Air Force Base.  On the west end of town, turn left onto state highway 51.  Stay on this road until just after crossing the Snake River.  Turn left onto state highway 78.  Bruneau Dunes State Park is about 2 miles down the road.

The park has three campgrounds.  The one shown below is "Broken Wheel", the oldest.  It has these two-sided shelters which are there to block the wind; and it is always windy at the park.  There are flush toilets and showers which are available spring through fall.  The campground is open year-round, but the bathrooms are closed in the winter, and you must use portable out-houses.  Some of the camping spots have power and water available during the spring thru fall.

South of the park about 20 miles is the overlook for Bruneau Canyon.  It is very much worth the drive to experience the narrow, deep, rugged canyon.

Return to state highway 51 and turn south.  Just as you arrive in the little town of Bruneau, take Hot Springs Road to the southeast.  The road will have a sign for the canyon.  

After about 8.2 miles, take the paved Clover Three Creek Road to the left.   The pavement ends about half-way between here and the canyon turnoff.  After about 7.5 miles, there will be a road to the right that will take you to the canyon overlook.  It is about an additional 3 miles to the parking area.  There are restrooms available.

About 45 miles upstream of the Bruneau Canyon overlook, the canyon is still very impressive, such as can be seen below.  Details for visiting are here can be found at the webpage:  Upper Bruneau Canyon.