Spring 2025 Update:
- Broken Wheel Campground is available for reservations. Reserve and pay for sites online or call 1-888-922-6743.
- The Equestrian Campground is still first-come first-serve through the self-pay tube at the Visitor Center.
- Eagle Cove Campground is closed for construction until April 17 but will be available for reservations during spring break between March 14 and March 31.
- Sandboard rentals are available at the Visitor Center. Due to limited staffing in the off-season, please call ahead to verify the center’s hours of operation.
- 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).
Please note: UAV/Drone use is only permitted in the designated UAV area (contact the park for location). Flight outside of the designated is strictly prohibited.
The park has day-use areas, including the dunes, which are only open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Please refer to IDAPA code 26.01.20.
2025 Public Observatory Schedule and Hours
The Observatory is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays evenings March 21 through October 12. Please refer to the following schedule which changes based on month and sunset times.
Observatory tours and solar viewing (through a specially adapted telescope) begin one hour before sunset. Following that, visitors can enjoy a short orientation program before experiencing the observatory’s collection of telescopes.
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.
Tours and Solar Viewing
March and October: 6 p.m.
April, May, August and September : 6:30 p.m.
June and July: 7:30 p.m.
Astronomy Presentations
Enjoy a 25-minute astronomy presentation at the Steele-Reese Education Center, followed by telescope viewing through the Observatory’s telescope collection. Presentations have a limited seating of 80 people per presentation.
March and October: 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
April and September: 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
May and August: 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
June and July: 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Telescope Viewing
March and October: 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
April and September: 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
May and August: 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
June and July: 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Program Fees
The fee includes the planetarium, tours of both observatories, a presentation, and viewing through the telescopes. The price is the same to attend one or all of the events.
Individual $5
Family $20 (Parents with their minor children)
Children (5 and under) Free
Student (on school field trip) $3
Current weather conditions at the observatory.
Observatory Info
In 1998 our first observatory was dedicated in cooperation with the Boise Astronomical Society. They chose this site because of its limited light pollution. The 25” Obsession reflecting telescope was donated by BAS, and has provided amazing views to thousands of visitors each year. In 2023 a second observatory was built, housing a Planewave CDK700 telescope that provides imaging and remote use capabilities. The dome of the new observatory is also used as a planetarium, providing programs during the day and on cloudy nights.
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has identified the resource of our beautiful dark skies as a treasure to be protected. Many of our Parks and Natural spaces in Idaho are striving to increase awareness of the dangers of light pollution, to reduce their impact on the night sky environment and obtain Dark Sky certifications where appropriate through the International Dark-Sky Association. Please visit www.darksky.org for more information on this initiative and how you can make an impact!
What is light pollution?
Inappropriate or access use of artificial light.
Why is light pollution having a negative effect on Idaho?
- Plants and animals depend on daily light cycles to sustain life preserving behaviors, such as migratory patterns and feeding cycles, artificial light at night has negative and even deadly effects on many wildlife species.
- Nighttime viewing of astronomy is severely inhibited by “Sky glow” a phenomenon produced by large emissions of artificial light at night, additionally your natural night vision is briefly inhibited by white artificial light.
- Many Americans sleep in an environment that’s punctuated with some form of artificial light — whether it’s coming from an intrusive streetlight, outdoor camper lighting or flashlights. New research suggests that one night of sleep with just a moderate amount of light may have adverse effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Steps you can take to preserve night sky’s while enjoying your stay at any Idaho State Campground:
- Swap outdoor lighting on your camper to an amber lensed fixture.
- Change out high admitting bulbs to bulbs emitting under 500 lumens.
- Make efforts to direct fixtures toward the ground and apply shields preventing vertical light emission.
- Keep all lighting targeted in the direction it is needed and avoid unnecessary artificial light at night whenever possible.
Current Conditions
Address: 27608 Sand Dunes Rd
Mountain Home, ID 83647
Phone: (208) 366-7919
Hours of Operation: 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.
