Bruneau is about an hour southeast of Boise and it has two natural sites: sand dunes in the middle of a mountain range and the Bruneau Canyon. Three conditions made the sand dunes possible: sand, wind, and a geographical trap for the sand. Hills surround the dunes on three sides trapping the sand that the wind blows across the desert floor.
Sagebrush and rabbitbush help stabilize the desert floor while flowers bloom from spring to autumn. Several species of birds live among the bushes and on the water, such as the ruddy duck, American avocet, and yellow-headed blackbird.
The site’s remote location and dry weather makes it perfect for an observatory to stare into the night sky. The high elevation helps the telescope look through less atmosphere to minimize light distortion. There is an education centre inside the observatory building. Visitors can rent a sandbar from the visitor’s centre to surf down the sand dunes.
