Across the globe, only 125 parks in 22 countries have been designated International Dark Sky Parks since the program launched in 2001. These places commit to implement and maintain good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs, as an act of conservation.
Southern Idaho's natural wonders typically receive little fanfare. Bruneau Dunes State Park is a perfect example, as it quietly earned the International Dark Sky Park designation in June. Park staff members worked diligently for nine years to achieve the honor.
What was the process like, and what can visitors expect at Bruneau Dunes State Park?
A Labor of Love
Earning DarkSky International’s coveted Dark Sky Park designation involves much more than monitoring data; the title requires a sustained effort from park staff and the community.
Chelsea Chambers, Public Information Specialist at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, gives us a peek behind the curtain, sharing some of the tasks that went into the monumental effort.
"The process started in 2015,” Chambers comments. "The park had to change all their outdoor fixtures to be dark sky compliant." Workers replaced all traditional light bulbs with red bulbs and covered those they could not change with red lenses. Park staff regularly records dark sky meter readings to ensure the area has minimal light pollution.
Chambers says, "Park Manager Bryce Bealba participated in some Owyhee County zoning and planning meetings, discussing the need for building code compliance so new development did not have as much impact on the park."
Various park staff and management conducted public outreach with local groups, including nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base, the City of Mountain Home, and the Boise Airport.
Even the language used online and at park facilities influences Dark Sky Park certification. Park staff incorporated dark sky messaging into all educational programs, including at the observatory and on social media.
Bealba says, "Having this designation has been a good educational opportunity for the park. It's turned a lot of attention towards us and helps us get our message out."
Nine years of planning, recording data, upgrading fixtures and systems, and coordinating with the local community paid off when Bruneau Dunes State Park earned its Dark Sky Park designation in June 2024. Now, the park proudly welcomes visitors to experience all its offerings.
During the Day
Bruneau Dunes State Park offers many daytime activities. The park comprises mixed habitats of dunes, lakes, marshes, and desert prairies. At 470 feet, it houses North America's tallest single-structured dune. Visitors will also find a series of smaller dunes to explore, starkly contrasting surrounding plateaus that dominate the horizon.
Beyond admiring the natural beauty, park guests can experience the dunes by hiking or riding a sandboard down the steep slopes. Chambers states, "The dunes are a fantastic and challenging hike, our sandboards are super fun, and the rangers host guided activities frequently." Other popular activities include fishing in the lakes, birding, and camping.
Observing the Night Skies
While Bruneau Dunes State Park is open year-round for day use and camping, the park's observatory is open on Friday and Saturday nights from early April through mid-October, weather permitting. Observatory tours and solar viewing through a specially adapted telescope begin one hour before sunset. The park hopes to develop a winter observatory program in the future.
Chambers says, "Our old observatory has a 25-inch Newtonian, which was at the time the largest public telescope in the state. We still roll that telescope out during program night, but the new observatory has a 27.5-inch PlaneWave telescope, now taking the helm as the largest public telescope in Idaho. There are larger scopes; they're just not frequently available for public use."
The new observatory is ADA-accessible and has a built-in planetarium feature, allowing the park to host school groups during the day and lead indoor programs on cloudy nights.
Chambers cautions visitors, "An important thing to note is that, unless you are camping, the park closes at ten pm and the dunes themselves are day-use only. So the best way to experience the dark skies is either by attending a program at the observatory or reserving a spot in our campgrounds."
Other Area Attractions
Southern Idaho offers travelers many unique parks and attractions, though some don’t garner the attention they deserve.
One such locale is the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, which quietly celebrated its 100th birthday in May. The park boasts surreal landscapes and rich Indigenous American history. Adventurous visitors can hike through caves and along craters while they observe its unusual lava terrain.
Since Bruneau Dunes State Park is halfway between Boise and Twin Falls, travelers can easily access both cities. Each combines urban amenities and outdoor adventures, leading visitors to discover history, culture, and a vibrant food and beverage scene.
Southern Idaho has many waterfalls, including Shoshone Falls, often dubbed "the Niagara of the West." The Snake River winds through the region, providing more natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With beautiful landscapes, unique parks, and dark skies, it is challenging to understand why the area gets so little attention. That may soon change with Bruneau Dunes State Park earning a Dark Sky Park designation.
