Since the program’s launch in 2001, only 125 parks in 22 countries worldwide have been designated as International Dark Sky Parks. These sites commit to implementing and maintaining good outdoor lighting as an act of conservation and offering dark sky programs.
The natural wonders of southern Idaho don’t usually get much attention, and Bruneau Dunes State Park is a perfect example, as it quietly received the International Dark Sky Park designation in June. Park staff have worked hard for nine years to earn this honor.
How did it all go and what can visitors expect at Bruneau Dunes State Park?
A labor of love
Earning DarkSky International’s coveted Dark Sky Park designation requires much more than just monitoring data; the title requires sustained efforts from park staff and the community.
Chelsea Chambers, information specialist with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the tasks involved in this monumental undertaking.
“The process began in 2015,” Chambers explains. “The park had to replace all of its exterior lights to accommodate light pollution.” Workers replaced all of the traditional bulbs with red ones and covered the ones they couldn’t replace with red lenses. Park staff regularly record light pollution readings to ensure that light pollution in the area is as low as possible.
Chambers says, “Park Manager Bryce Bealba attended several Owyhee County zoning and planning meetings and discussed the need to comply with building codes so that new developments do not have such a significant impact on the park.”
Various park staff and managers conducted outreach efforts with local groups, including the nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base, the City of Mountain Home, and the Boise Airport.
Even the language used online and in the park facilities influences Dark Sky Park certification. Park staff have integrated Dark Sky messages into all educational programs, including at the observatory and on social media.
Bealba says: “This award has been a good educational opportunity for the park. It has brought us a lot of attention and helps us spread our message.”
Nine years of planning, data recording, upgrading facilities and systems, and coordinating with the local community paid off when Bruneau Dunes State Park received the designation as a Dark Sky Park in June 2024. Now the park proudly welcomes visitors to experience all it has to offer.
During the day
Bruneau Dunes State Park offers many daytime activities. The park consists of mixed habitats of dunes, lakes, marshes, and desert prairies. At 470 feet, it is home to the tallest structured dune in North America. Visitors can also explore a series of smaller dunes that provide a stark contrast to the surrounding high plateaus that dominate the horizon.
In addition to admiring the natural beauty, park guests can also explore the dunes by hiking or sandboarding down the steep slopes. Chambers says, “The dunes are a fantastic and challenging hike, our sandboards are great fun and the rangers offer regular guided activities.” Other popular activities include fishing in the lakes, bird watching and camping.
Observing the night sky
While Bruneau Dunes State Park is open year-round for day trips and camping, the park’s observatory is open Friday and Saturday evenings from early April through mid-October, weather permitting. Tours of the observatory and solar observations 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 telescope, which was the largest public telescope in the state at the time. We still roll that telescope out during program night, but the new observatory has a 27.5-inch PlaneWave telescope, which is now the largest public telescope in Idaho. There are larger telescopes, they’re just not often available for public use.”
The new observatory is ADA accessible and features a built-in planetarium, allowing the park to host school groups during the day and offer indoor programs on cloudy nights.
Chambers warns visitors, “It’s important to note that the park closes at 10 p.m. and the dunes themselves can only be used during the day unless you camp there. The best way to experience the dark skies is to either attend a program at the observatory or reserve a spot at our campgrounds.”
Other attractions in the area
Southern Idaho offers travelers many unique parks and attractions, although some do not receive the attention they deserve.
One such place is Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, which quietly celebrated its 100th anniversary in May. The park offers surreal landscapes and a rich Native American history. Adventurous visitors can hike through caves and along craters, admiring the unusual lava terrain.
Because Bruneau Dunes State Park is located halfway between Boise and Twin Falls, travelers can easily reach both cities. Both combine urban amenities and outdoor adventures, offering visitors the chance to discover history, culture and a vibrant food scene.
Southern Idaho is home to many waterfalls, including Shoshone Falls, often referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” The Snake River winds through the region, offering even more natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With its beautiful landscapes, unique parks, and dark skies, it’s hard to understand why the area gets so little attention. That may soon change, as Bruneau Dunes State Park is receiving Dark Sky Park designation.
This article was created by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
