Bruneau Dunes state park is positioned in the eastern part of Bruneau, a community set outside the civic limits of Owyhee County, a remote corner of Idaho State. Idaho is located in the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Surrounded by the state of Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, British Columbia, Montana and Nevada, Idaho is popular as a Gem State because of the different types of gems found here. Idaho is also the house of many other state parks among which Bruneau Dunes state park is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state. The exact position of park is 18 miles south of Mountain home on highway number 51 and again East on highway number 78.
An Overview:
The 4800 acres of Bruneau Dunes state park features the tallest 470 feet high single structured sand dune in high desert area of southern Mountain home. It is the tallest and the largest single structure sand dunes in North America. The spectacular beauty of the state park is the result of a great combination of sandbank, deserts, lake, grassland and submerged habitation that is home to several night-time species. The dunes are formed as a part of natural occurrence of accumulation of sands from natural basin during Bonneville floods around 15000 years ago. The dunes are different from regular dessert dunes. They do not drift because of the southeast and northwest wind blowing from over the Snake River.
The nature trails:
The dunes are conserved by the government as the part of the Bruneau Dunes state park. As a part of state park a five mile trail surrounds the park and can escort to the tallest sand dune. The path skirts the lake at the base of the tallest sand dune. It passes through crisscross tracks. The breathtaking view of the Snake River geology from the top of the dunes is worth watching. Diversity of landscape is well felt from the top of the dunes. One can see russet dessert trails, green farms along the banks of Snake River, hills on the far side of river and the snow capped mountains far beyond the boundaries of the park. The natural habitats of the park are home to dessert wildlife, birds and different species of fish.
The state park also offers a 9 mile equestrian riding trail around the park which could be covered on the back of the horse. The trail passes through the partially wild desert land the visitors are advised to carry with them enough amount of water, eatables and other necessities like sunglasses, sunscreen lotions, binoculars, insect spray and compass.
The Observatory:
Bruneau dunes state park is a home to Idaho’s largest public observatory where visitors are allowed to use telescope for star gazing. The observatory has a collection of small to big telescopes to watch everything like deep sky object, moon, stars and the entire outer space. The observatory revolves at 360 degrees to have a glance in deep galaxies surrounding our planet. The entry to observatory is free of cost. It is on first come first serve basis. It is open for the general public on weekends up to October 13. The solar viewing at the park starts at 6.30 pm and at 8.00 pm; the observatory staff briefs the visitors with astronomy. Thereafter the visitors can have night viewing of skies using a variety of telescopes through until 11.30.
Activities at the park:
Other then natural trails and observatory, the state park offers variety of activities for visitors visiting the park at daytime and at night time. The park has been purchased under the Recreation and Public purposes Act and thereafter it is developed as one of the most popular attraction of the region. The best months to visit the park are September and October. The park is open all through the week and the visitor’s center in open in between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. Vehicles are not allowed beyond certain limit of the park especially on the dunes.Day time activities at the park include camping, hiking, bird watching, fishing and swimming. The visitor center in the park is a place to get all the information regarding wildlife, birds of prey, fossils, insects and sand dunes.Night time activities at the park include viewing the rare nocturnal species found in the natural surroundings of the park and gazing stars in the deep skies from the public observatory.
Amenities at the park:
Bruneau dunes state park is visited on a day trip and also on an overnight trip. Park is developed to provide overnight facilities to the visitors that include 2 cabins, 82 campsite and 31 standard sites equipped with water and electricity. The cabins are heated with room heaters and also have air conditioners for summer seasons. The park has 2 camp grounds and they offer central shower and restroom facilities. The camp grounds are also equipped with well clean and maintained flushing toilets. The other amenities at the park include ADA access, boat launch, cell phone reception, horse stalls, drinking water, dump station, picnic shelter, retail shop, gift shop and WIFI.
Review of the state park:
Bruneau dunes state park has all from nature to modern amenities, attractions and activities to match the likings of all age groups. The state park has best to offer in the form of natural trails and natural species seen in their natural surroundings. The park is well suited for people who want to enjoy the natural beauty along with doing justice to their work. The WIFI facility available at each and every nook and corner of the park makes it possible to be in touch with rest of the world. The overnight amenities for visitors and the camp sites for campers make the state park most popular among its close contenders. They are comfortable enough to extend the camping season. The well guided natural trails in the park attracts hikers and campers from across the world and from across the country. The mild season all round the year other popular attractions nearby the state park makes if more profound in the state of Idaho.
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| Address | Mountain Home, ID 83647 |
