Explore The Tallest Single-Structured Sand Dune In North America At Bruneau Dunes In Idaho
By Emerson
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Published December 09, 2020
The following landscape may look like stills from a sci-fi movie, but don’t be fooled. They were taken right here in Idaho, at one of the most mesmerizing destinations in the state. Idaho’s Bruneau Dunes are a truly unique wonder. Towering over the desert landscape, these massive dunes never fail to surprise those who happen to drive past them. In fact, the park is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, and seeing it up close is just as incredible as you’d expect.
Located approximately 15 miles south of Mountain Home is a landscape filled with otherworldly sand dunes, small lakes, and a vast desert floor. Bruneau Dunes State Park is a downright awesome place to explore, as it shows a side of Idaho that few even know exists.
Rising 470-feet above the landscape, Bruneau Dunes is officially home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. Climbing this giant dune is a lot harder than it looks, but it's so worth it for the view from above!
Getting to the top of any of the park's dunes is an impressive feat, and you can celebrate by sliding back down. The park's visitor center rents out sand-boards for a small fee, which you can use to slide down the dune - like sledding on a snowy hill.
The park's dunes are definitely a peculiar sight here in southern Idaho. In fact, they are some of the most unique in the Western Hemisphere, as they were formed near the center of a natural basin as opposed to at the edge.
For over 12,000 years, the basin has acted as a trap for sand blowing in from the southwest and northwest. Researchers theorize that the dunes may have started forming with sands from the Bonneville Flood, which occurred 15,000 years ago.
Encompassing about 4,800 acres in all, there's plenty of room to roam at Bruneau Dunes State Park. With opportunities for camping, hiking, and fishing, there's always something to do at the park and it makes for an excellent adventure destination.
Take a walk on the wild side and pay a visit to one of the strangest parks in Idaho. The Bruneau Dunes are a truly unique wonder - just be prepared to get some sand in your shoes!
Have you visited the Bruneau Dunes in Idaho? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
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Featured Addresses
Bruneau Dunes State Park, 27608 Bruneau Sand Dunes Rd, Bruneau, ID 83604, USA