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Mountain Home, ID

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Bruneau Dunes State Park

4.6 (33 reviews)

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Amy D.

Bruneau Dunes State Park is located about an hour outside of Boise, and the drive is mostly freeway. It was really interesting to see the sand dunes pop out of nowhere, and the rest of the area nearby is mostly agricultural. I lucked out and came on a perfectly warm but not hot day in early October. There were a good amount of people sledding down the smaller dune, with a few brave kids running down and somersaulting/face planting into the sand. There is a $7 entrance fee for cars- make sure you lift the lid to grab the envelope. Bringing exact change is highly recommended unless you want to pay extra, since there wasn't anyone in the booth when I arrived. Don't think about skipping payment, since the ranger WILL give you a ticket (you'll then have to pay $27, with the $20 ticket). Thankfully, I saw the ranger and explained that I couldn't find the envelope earlier, and they very nicely let me pay the $7 (probably felt some pity for someone too dumb to lift the lid, sighs). I thought it was worth the $7 and drive to check out such a unique spot (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=fSW2ox9rq6mRDmx-A8GhOw&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pnVxwi8niknFjXlQyQxiBg&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=20GV3L3xrP3g9EUFuQ3tlA&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=g_Roo-dwnckjBpPbt0dw7A&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4irJLOXU-awKDGTLE6EnpQ&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg, https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mwey3i5CoN4W1DKWVMUXbw&userid=76vIFZcC7owykCBjMfGVXg). I climbed to the top of the dune, and started from the trail to the right of the lake (drive past the parking lot next to the first sand dune and park in the second parking lot by the lake). Keep an eye out for the trail markers since you'll walk through some shady areas with trees before you reach the base of the sand dune. It was a little easier climbing up by using the footprints left behind by previous climbers, but it wasn't an easy climb since the sand would shift constantly. It took about 30 minutes to get to the top of the dune, and I was definitely sweaty by the end of the hike. In another dumb move, I wore flip flops- wearing sneakers or hiking boots would've been the way to go. Wearing a hat and applying sunscreen beforehand is highly recommended, as well as bringing a bottle of water! You can also camp here, and this would've been an awesome place to star gaze at night. There were "bathrooms" available, but they were more of a hole in the shape of a toliet versus the flushable variety.

Bring sleds!
Vika Z.

I would say this was a fun place to go for a day trip with your family. None of the reviews that I read beforehand said anything about the wind, but boy was it windy! Be prepared for it, just in case. We went a couple weeks ago and the sand was already hot, so bring socks for your little kiddos. Bring your sleds too, bc sledding down the dunes was fun!

Mike R.

Great place for a day trip get away (although there is a great campground there). Several large sand dunes formed from a great flood 11,000 years ago. You can hike up them, sled down them great place for the kids. 2 lakes that are stocked with fish. And the best us the observatory!!! They have viewings in evenings. I am amazed at how many locals don't know about this place.

Sand dunes
Larisa P.

Really enjoyed our photo shoot here. The views were amazing. We went really early to catch the sunrise and to have good lighting! Definitely worth a trip. Would love to come back when it's cooler for a day trip.

entering at dusk
Sachi M.

We stayed at the Broken Wheel campground. Because it's in a flat dry place, it didn't have trees or anything for privacy between the sites, like we're used to on the coast. They did have a two-walled roofed structure around each picnic table, probably to provide some shade from the relentless sun. Some campsites had a cleared-off area for the tent, but we couldn't find one for our site. The tiny bushlets were no problem to put the tent on top of, though. No bear-proof lockers at this place, but we kept our shoes inside the tent in case there were scorpions and stuff. Reading Pea P.'s review, I guess there really are! We tried snowboarding on the dunes, but it didn't work. The sand was too heavy and stayed on the front edge of the board, not brushing off like powder snow. We'd only seen photos of people skiing on the dunes, so I guess that was why. Since it was so warm, the lake was a good place for a dip at the end of the day. Shallowness continued for a while, though, so we had to squat down to get our shoulders under the water. Lots of mosquitoes, too :-( There was no cell phone connection here. But Idaho State Parks provide Wi-Fi at their campgrounds! You can buy 1-day access for $3.00, up to 154 days - the whole 2012 camping season in any Idaho State Park - for $29. OR, you can use 20 minutes for free every 12 hours! There is an observatory at the park, and I saw on the notice board that they have ranger tours on Fridays and Saturdays. I saw the structure next to the lake, but it was on flat ground, not on a peak, so I was a bit confused. We didn't have time to check it out.

Allan C.

Hey! I know we just flew through Salt Lake City to get here, drove down and had to get some work done. That, and we're headed back at 11pm to get more work done but do you want to climb up almost 500 ft of SAND? It's awesome... something to do with the cross winds carrying crap that get stuck in some plateau valley. Or something. My first thought about this was "seriously? I just want to go to sleep..." but I didn't want to disappoint. The dunes did not disappoint either. It's just a totally different world out there. I think it was the soft sand that led to my coworkers doing crazy crap like BACKFLIPS OFF THE TOP... or maybe because they're total whackjobs... I haven't figured out which yet. Regardless, I'm really glad they took me there because it was a super strong kickoff to travel that got long and arduous super fast. I say anyone driving through the area or even finding themselves within an hour's drive of here should stop by just to see the place. It's definitely worth it.

Kim L.

My friend wanted to celebrate her birthday here! We got some great photos taken with the dunes behind us, got to fly some kites, AND got to see Mars, Jupiter with four moons, and Saturn at the observatory. It was the Memorial Day weekend so it was busier than usual, but was totally worth it! I've also taken a photo of Milky Way here. I would say it is a great place to take photos of a night sky with low light pollution.

George N.

Came here to do the full 6 mile hike, man was it an experience. I did the full 6 mile hike (beginning and ending at the Visitor's Center), and let me tell you, I was EXHAUSTED by the end. DON'T do a leg workout the day before coming here! This was a very difficult hike, especially once it's time to get up to the sand peak and walk the ridge. Now I understand why NFL players have beach workouts, maneuvering in sand is tough and is one heck of a workout. I noticed little kids and older people on the peak when I finally made it up, and I was in SHOCK as to how they got up there, since I was exhausted and consider myself to be in shape. I then found out you DON'T have to hike from the Visitor's Center to get there, but instead can park super close. I was drenched in sweat before going up to the peak, and after getting to the top, the wind really is refreshing. Views are amazing, you're going to get some great shots up there. I DIDN'T use my "real" camera (even though I packed it) since I was worried about getting sand in the lens, so I just used my cell phone. You have to "straddle" the peak when hiking it, I was almost doing a roller skating motion, which was kinda fun. The 6 mile hike is broken down in waypoints on the map. The land marking are decent up to waypoint 4, then it's pretty much a free for all. Hard to distinguish where the path is, since everything just blends in. Some of the marking around waypoints 11 - 15 are missing or fallen over. I HIGHLY recommend getting the 'Maplets' app for your phone so that you can have a visual map with a GPS while hiking, it REALLY helps. I did the whole 6 mile hike, as well as resting at the top of the peaks, in around 3 hours, which thinking back, I would recommend you take your time and pace yourself to do it in around 4-5 hours. I was just in a hurry to get back to my car and RELAX (since I had NO IDEA I was in for this kind of hike lol). Now for some tips. You're 100% exposed to the sun during the entire 6 mile hike. Wear WHITE colored clothes (yeah SCIENCE)! I didn't wear bug spray, and got about 10 bites overall, mostly through waypoints 8-10 (marshy areas aka bug city). Bring sandals when on the sand, trust me! Wearing running shoes, the sand gets in very quickly and your shoes turn into bricks, making it a BIGGER workout. Bring as much water as possible. I packed food but didn't have any urge to eat during the hike, I should've subbed the weight of the food for water. Water fountains work at the observatory, so top off your bottles and wash up your face with cold water in the bathroom. I hiked during mid day, high 70s, and was ROASTING. I'd say hiking this is best in late evening, or when sun rises, OR in fall / winter / spring when it's not so hot. I didn't wear full body covering clothes (just workout gear) and was satisfied with the decision, you need mobility & comfort if you're hiking the 6 mile trip. I came across 0 people on the full 6 mile hike, so be PROUD that you're one of the few OGs that do the 6 mile hike. I HATE bugs, and from waypoints 1-4, there were a TON of these wasp like bugs (sphecid wasps?) all over the path, flying in and out of these holes in the ground. I almost turned right back to the car and left, but I'm glad I didn't. Wearing pants would've helped with my fear, but I don't regret wearing shorts for mobility. Visitors center is DOPE inside, gotta check it out. If I could only bring 2 things, it'd be WATER and sandals. Pace yourself, and spend as much time up on the peaks as possible (before it gets too boring). Overall, I had a blast. I don't plan on doing this hike again, until a fall night, I'd really like to try doing some star photography. Don't be intimidated by the OG 6 mile hike. Once you reach the end of the hike and you look back at the dunes, you'll be amazed at how much ground you've covered and how tall those peaks really were. 5 stars all day, if you're up for the challenge, it's very rewarding.

From the side of the main dune.
Chelle L.

Bring water, sunglasses, hat and SHOES! The sand is ungodly hot and if possible, wear boots about 6" high. I hiked with 4.5" Danner boots and although it was in my boots, I managed not to get too much in. If you hike, we took the route to the right and tried to come up the back side of the main dune off the water. When you get to the top, be careful. It is not flat, it is a peak and you have to straddle it when you walk, since it is breezy you could be blown over and fall off and tumble down the sand. I wold wear high socks unless you want sand in your low cut socks. We went between 630-7PM and it was still hot but cooled quickly. Plan to stay and check the observatory out if you have time, you can stargaze.

$5 CASH entrance fee. Part of me does not want to advertise this place only because of how clean, quiet, & beautiful it is. A must-do for outdoor enthusiasts, bird watchers, naturalists, star gazers, & sand surfers. Hiking options: Pond loop, small dune, large dune. Bring SUNSCREEN, plenty of water, & bug spray. If you bring anything in-please take it out with you. Animals spotted: Quails, Owl, Hawks, Deer, Coyote, Black tailed jack rabbits, and much more. Equestrian trails, boat launch, & more. Camping (tent, RV, & cabins) available. See the states website & check out the parks Facebook page.

The Dunes at sunset.
Bradley N.

I am standing uneasily on a knife's edge of shifting sand as high as a 45-story building with steep sloping sides in both directions. The wind is so intense that it feels like I will fall off; and if I don't then the sand all around surely will. It is swirling and spinning about madly. Below me, the Great Sand Vortex looms, like something out of the Return of the Jedi, minus Jabba the Hut. My shoes are filled with sand. My ears are filled with sand. I am walking on a knife's edge, and that edge is slipping away slowly beneath my trembling feet. And all because of Markus N., and his friendly suggestion to stop and visit Bruneau Dunes. Which led me here, to one of the most exhilarating and exhausting 2 hour hikes in recent memory. And the only one where I kissed the (very sandy) ground when I had slipped and slid down the eastern face of the Great Dune to relative windless safety. Did I mention the wind already? It was very persistent, and part of the charm of Bruneau Dunes. The place is otherwordly, a remnant of the flooding of ancient Lake Bonneville eons ago, and of thousands of years of wind, sand, and sunlight creating the amphitheater-like Eagle Cove, which traps the blowing sands and sculpts the enormous dunes and sand vortices (deep craters carved by the wind) that tower over the calm lakes below, where people float and swim and stargaze and picnic to their hearts content. But on top of the Great Dune, with winds whipping the surrounding sky into a swirl of sand, none of that matters. All that is the universe is contained in a few square feet of soft sand, with you perched on the knife's edge like some sort of crazy mountaineer, stumbling forward, lurching onward, driven by the wind and by that desire to live to see solid ground. Is it dangerous? No, not really. It's sand, not snow and ice, although it will take your mind a little time to adjust. It's that instinctual fear of falling that you feel, but when the wind dies down, it is calm and peaceful here on the Great Dune, and you almost start to feel something like serenity; but then the wind returns, the sands fly, and the fear of falling returns, so it's not easy to stay here for long. You will need to find the bottom, walk along barely marked trails past impenetrable brush and desert dunes, back to the lake shore and back to your camp site, where the stars will come out at night in their multitudes. And you will dream of shifting sands and high-pitched laughter, and perhaps of Markus N. with a triumphant look in his gleaming, bright eyes. And then, after much tossing and turning in the wind-blown night punctuated by coyote chorus song, you will wake up, wipe the crusted sand from your reddened eyes, boil water for oatmeal by the light of your headlamp, and wait in renewed hope for the sun to rise so that the deep chill of a predawn May morning will once again disappear. You will no longer feel fear, or hope, or anything really, except an immense gratefulness still to be alive, still to have a planet of solid earth to stand upon, and still to be here, at Bruneau Dunes, Idaho, where so much more than potatoes are to be found. Including the biggest sand dune on the continent, which is something to celebrate and to cherish, after all. Who knew such little grains of sand could hold such deep reservoirs of wisdom?

Sarah R.

Totally unique state park in the middle of no-where Idaho. It's super cool to see huge sand dunes when you are least expecting it. We were doing a road trip and put it on our list of places to stop. Once we pulled in we went to the visitor center to look at maps and ask questions. The woman working at the counter honestly wasn't very helpful. We asked her questions and she didn't have answers because she had never hiked there. How can someone be the only one working at a state park visitor center and not have experienced what the park has to offer. We drove around to the dunes and got out and walked. It was warm, maybe 80 degrees but cloudy. We decided to attempt the tallest dune and we were successful. Best place to park is the furthest picnic area and then it's about a 10 minute walk on a path to get to the dune. Despite many reviews saying to take your shoes off, we kept ours on and it took us about 30-40 minutes to get to the top. It was definitely worth it because it's the tallest single dune in North America. We were the only ones around which was cool. It only took about 10 minutes to walk down it - it's super quick to go down obviously. I would recommend if you are in the area to knock off the bucketlist.

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Beautiful vistas and an interesting museum. Bring plenty of bug spray and wear a hat.

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$1 fly swatter, $3 astronomy viewing fee, $6 wood, entrance fee extra. Strong odor of sulfur in the water. Neat sand dunes.

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Ask the Community - Bruneau Dunes State Park

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Review Highlights - Bruneau Dunes State Park

“Make sure and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and $5 for the vehicle entrance fee.”

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Three Island Crossing State Park - Oregon Trail

Three Island Crossing State Park

4.0(22 reviews)
20.2 mi

This is one of our favorite camping spots. Located just an hour east of Boise, it's a very pleasant…read morespot as the weather starts to cool down. Campsites are spacious, mature trees provide shade and there's plenty of green grass. The campground includes free showers and a Frisbee golf course. The Snake River, where Oregon Trail pioneers crossed to the other side, is on the southern edge of the park and the Trail interpretive center is worth a visit. It's free.

Fleece the campers???…read more I went through the procedure to reserve one of the smaller sites for our 21' trailer. The price of $40 was prominently displayed. OK, a bit high for a one-night stay in a state park with no sewer or water connection. But, I'll pay for the convenience. Big surprise upon checking out. The total cost was shown to be $58.71, nearly 50% higher than the $40 advertised price. Here is what the additional charges were for: $7 Motor Vehicle Fee. My vehicle is registered in AZ. How is this justified? And since everyone get there with a vehicle of some sort, why is this not included in the displayed price? $10 transaction fee. I did all the work that the person who used to take the reservation over the phone would have done. The ID State Parks have replaced that service with a computer program. And apparently I have to pay for their computer system as well. Go figure. 3% Service fee. Who knows how they justify this? It is fortunate that the West has an abundance of Federal lands on which one can camp for a small fraction of the cost of this state park.

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Three Island Crossing State Park - Sites among the shade trees - welcomed during hot summer days

Sites among the shade trees - welcomed during hot summer days

Three Island Crossing State Park - Long enough to accommodate the big rigs

Long enough to accommodate the big rigs

Three Island Crossing State Park - Signage at park entrance

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Signage at park entrance

Discovery Park

Discovery Park

4.5(8 reviews)
54.6 mi

We love Discovery Park! And, if we had young kids, we would definitely take them here!…read more We do have dogs though, and they are currently expanding their dog parks. Yes, there are two - one for large dogs and one for smaller dogs. Not only that, but we also walk them around the full park until they've had enough exercise. Discovery is a HUGE park with baseball fields, dog parks, a skate and biking park, plus a well-built and fun play area for kids. I'm pretty sure we walked by a huge sand pit for kids to plain too! It's loaded with things to do, and we highly recommend it!! It's clean, beautiful, and offers a huge variety of things to do!!

This is such an awesome park! It is located pretty far south in Meridian, but if you are one of the…read morepoor people that live in this restaurant and entertainment desert, then hurray for you! Discovery park mixes all the fabulous things of a traditional park with educational pieces about Idaho. The play structure is great. It has usual bits like slides and nets to climb, but it also has funky bridges, musical components and a variety of ladders. There are two very long zip lines with the attached seat, making it perfect for all ages. (Yes even my 32 year old husband thought it was amazing) There are these super fun roller slides that are fun for older kids to try and climb, but also littles who don't like to go too fast on a slide. I love that this is the rubberized surface. When you have an early walker, this is the best type of park to go to. Behind the play structure is the best part of this park. They have a water feature to help kids learn about Idaho rivers! Kids can play in the sand, dig ditches and levies and divert water streams. There is also a traditional splash pad around the side. There are three covered picnic areas, large bathrooms and plenty of parking. This is a wonderful new park addition to our community!

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Discovery Park
Discovery Park - :)

:)

Discovery Park

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Ritter Island State Park - Moon

Ritter Island State Park

4.8(6 reviews)
45.6 mi

I am really confused. How is this possible??? I thought Idaho was known as..."the potato state"…read more But I am wrong. I admit it and I take responsibility. Idaho is really known for its WATERFALLS!!! Yes, waterfalls! I am from Florida and now I know going forward, if you're interested in exploring around some of the USA's most beautiful waterfalls...then come visit Idaho! And so with that dramatic introduction, lol...I'd like to present, well...it's not really Ritter Island State Park...it's more like...LEMMON FALLS located inside Ritter Island. Lemmon Falls is absolutely jaw dropping fantastic! It was the highlight of my visit here. I don't know the height of Lemmon Falls and I tried searching for it online and couldn't find the exact number. But, regardless...it splashes down the cliffside in front of your eyes. You don't have to work hard to be rewarded. Let me explain... You can plug Lemmon Falls into Google Maps and be guided into the park just fine. Once you find a parking spot, you'll notice Lemmon Falls as the focal point of the surrounding backdrop off to the left hand side of the main entrance. Simply walk over to the falls. It's a 5 - 10 minute stroll. From the pathway, you have access to Lemmon Falls and opportunities for magical picture moments. Some visitors climbed on the rocks for closer perspectives, but I didn't find that necessary. From the pedestrian path, photos were very impressive. Lemmon Falls, alongside Perrine Coulee Falls and Fall Creek Falls have been some of my favorite waterfalls exploring around Southern Idaho. Now...there's more to see and do here at Ritter Island SP... One thing, I know this may sound confusing...Ritter Island is really a subsection unit of Thousand Springs State Park. Regardless of this info, there's another waterfall here on Ritter Island I'd like to mention, and that's...Minnie Miller Springs. To gain access to Minnie Miller Springs waterfall, you cross a footbridge to arrive at an overlook viewpoint. This footbridge isn't always open. Specific hours are...Memorial Day through Labor Day, Thursday - Monday 10am - 3pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There's a bridge volunteer attendant who is there to answer questions. The pathway is easy to Minnie Miller Springs. It's only half a mile. Along the way you'll pass by old fashioned Guernsey Barn which you can walk inside if interested. It's like taking a stroll down memory lane of what life was like back in the day here at Ritter Island. Next, make sure to veer to the right beside the Snake River when leaving the barn area. You'll pass underneath some trees offering shade from the summer sun. Then you'll approach a picnic table and this the lookout point, and in my opinion, the best glance at viewing Minnie Miller Springs. Minnie Miller Springs is a cascading waterfall hung in the background like an art painting. The setting is quaint and charming and if you visit in the afternoon time, the sun will be at your back which creates scenic photo opps. Only problem is the waterfall is located far in the distance. It's not accessible like Lemmon Falls. So basically, you can grab a few pictures of the lush surroundings before returning back towards the footbridge. If you decide you're enjoying the walking path, you can complete the 1.8 mile roundtrip loop around the farm. If not, it's half a mile back to where you started. While here on Ritter Island, people had their canoes, kayaks and paddle boards enjoying the waters. Folks barbecued under trees while lounging around. It was extremely crowded on a Sunday during early August. Granted, it was 105 degrees outside. For me, I had to go swimming and cool off. I just found a little spot beside the banks of the river and hopped in. Surprisingly, Snake River waters were frigid. I couldn't believe how hot it was and you'd assume that'd translate into relaxing swimming conditions, yet that wasn't the case. I think I had a brain freeze from the chilly waters. Still, you adjust to the cold and eventually it's refreshing hanging out in the river on a lazy Sunday. Last extra notes... - It's a $7 fee for day use. You can fill out a slip with payment and drop it into a lockbox. They accept checks. - Ritter Island is located in Wendell, Idaho which is a small town. But, it's 35 miles northwest of Twin Falls, ID, a great city to explore. - I'd suggest arriving sooner than later as there's only so many parking spaces during prime summer visitation season. Overall, coming here to Ritter Island and getting to experience Lemmon Falls was breathtaking. Imo, it's the standout highlight. Minnie Miller Springs is decent and a quiet hike to arrive at. And lastly, taking time to lounge on the grass and have access to the Snake River to cool off on hot summer days is why families make frequent visits. Btw, for those waterfall enthusiasts out there, check out Box Canyon Springs next, 5.5 miles away.

Cool state park. I liked the hike/ path to the waterfalls. Very beautiful and full of wildlife …read more The recreation area was nice for families with picnic tables and grassy areas to have a picnic and play in or fish the river. I was disappointed that many people enjoying the nature didn't pick up their trash . There is a dumpster to dispose of waste when leaving.

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Ritter Island State Park - Minnie Miller Springs was a little too far away to really connect with, imo.

Minnie Miller Springs was a little too far away to really connect with, imo.

Ritter Island State Park - Lemmon Falls is the standout attraction of Ritter Island State Park.

Lemmon Falls is the standout attraction of Ritter Island State Park.

Ritter Island State Park - Very cold water but very beautiful!

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Very cold water but very beautiful!

Lucky Peak State Park - On your way back, you can actually see the dam that creates Lucky Peak Lake to the east.

Lucky Peak State Park

4.1(16 reviews)
46.1 mi

Pulled in here for a quick workout Paddle and was blown away by this great park. It's a perfect 5K…read more(3.12 Miles) workout from the park down to the The secondary water control area. The water was moving pretty good, if I had to guess somewhere around 1.75 to 2.5 mph, but I was still able to get a workout and my best Mile split time was returning in the current, I took a lot of pictures along the way. I paddle all over the country, and in many other countries, I like to record my Paddle, especially first time, and transfer it from my Garmin watch to the relive app. This app creates a video of the trail and any pictures taken along the way or Geos stamped on the trail while you watch the video. It's really amazing. This park was clean, self service for Park entry if the booth is closed. Nice restrooms. Apple parking and it was mowed later in the week so it really looked nice. Saturday morning 5/3/25. https://www.relive.com/view/vdvm44P3Nxq

Growing up here, some of my best memories were spent either by the water or on the water at Lucky…read morePeak. Just a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Boise, Lucky Peak is a man-made lake offering everything from sandy beach spots to camping, boating, swimming, and plenty of space for outdoor activities. Whether you're in the mood to relax by the shore or enjoy a day on the water, Lucky Peak is the perfect local getaway!

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Lucky Peak State Park - Sunny lake days at Lucky Peak!

Sunny lake days at Lucky Peak!

Lucky Peak State Park - Sandy Point Beach rentals. 2021 prices

Sandy Point Beach rentals. 2021 prices

Lucky Peak State Park

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Bruneau Dunes State Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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