Spring is a great time to go camping at Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho since the weather can be a bit extreme in Summer months. With the weather somewhat warming up from the frigid winter temps, the park offers an excellent opportunity to explore the great outdoors and create memories! Just beware- Spring in Idaho changes from moment to moment, so be prepared for the whole gambit of temps (see tip number 1!). Here are some tips we learned to make the most of our recent camping experience at Bruneau Dunes State Park:
Tips for Spring Camping at Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho
- Plan ahead
Before heading out to the park, make sure you have all the necessary camping gear, including your usual tent, sleeping bags, camping chairs, stove, etc. It’s also important to check the weather forecast and plan your activities accordingly. Bruneau Dunes can get quite windy, so be sure to bring appropriate gear for windy conditions. Make sure to pack rain gear even if it’s not in the forecast- you never know in Idaho Springtime! Also, bring activities that can be done indoors (RV or tent). We ventured outdoors periodically but spent a lot of time relaxing in the camper due to the wind and hail that was tag teaming it throughout the day. I’m glad we had packed our trusty game of Go Fish! - Book your campsite early
Spring is a popular time for camping, so it’s important to book your campsite early to secure a spot. Bruneau Dunes State Park offers both tent and RV camping, and you can reserve your spot online. You can also call the park office to inquire about availability and make a reservation. It’s imperative to plan out your camping trips in advance- the camping scene in Idaho is strong and that means people are out and about! Even during our terrible weather weekend that we chose to go, well over half the spots were taken. - Explore the dunes
The highlight of Bruneau Dunes State Park is, of course, the massive sand dunes that the park is named after. Kids love climbing up and running down the dunes, and you can even rent sandboards or sleds from the park’s visitor center to slide down the dunes. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the sand can get hot, even in cooler months! We’ve ventured to the dunes during the Winter, Spring, and Summer and it seems like sunscreen comes in handy during all the seasons- you just never know! We definitely didn’t need it this time though… warmer mittens and lots of lip balm for all the wind were more necessary this time around. - Go stargazing
Bruneau Dunes State Park is also known for its dark skies, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. Springtime offers clear skies and mild temperatures, perfect for sitting around a campfire and watching the stars. The park even has an observatory with a variety of telescopes and educational programs (opens in May, so we missed that unfortunately, but just standing outside was beautiful!) - Check out the visitor center
The visitor center at Bruneau Dunes State Park offers a wealth of information about the park’s natural history and wildlife. Our kids loved exploring the interactive exhibits, and you can also pick up maps and trail guides for hiking around the park. They have a gift shop with some great items and a cooler filled with ice cream to purchase as well! Due to the weather being so unbearable, we were glad for a place to go and get out of the elements. They even have the Junior Ranger program so our girls got to fill out an activity booklet and get a badge. - Take a hike
Bruneau Dunes State Park has several hiking trails that offer scenic views of the dunes and the surrounding landscape. The park’s Interpretive Trail is a short, easy hike that’s perfect for families with young children, while the Big Dune Trail is a bit more challenging and offers a longer hike. We didn’t do much hiking this time around, but are anxious to get back to check them out. - Bring binoculars
Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to a variety of bird species, including raptors like hawks and eagles. Bring a pair of binoculars and head out on one of the park’s bird-watching trails to see how many different species you can spot.
Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho offers a fantastic opportunity for families to enjoy camping and outdoor activities in the springtime. Even if most of our memories were frozen fingers from sledding down the dunes, we are glad we went!
