Our Visit

Our recent visit was late March and our campground is almost full. Of the 100+ camp sites spread between two campgrounds, only half a dozen are empty by late Friday. From what we have been told, those empty campsites will fill tonight or tomorrow at the latest. Because we are in the desert and water is a premium, the campgrounds are well manicured gravel rather than grassy lawns. I am sure gravel leads to less danger of range fires later in the summer when the grass would dry out.

Water has been turned on for the summer at the time of our visit, and we are able to plug in our RV to power. Heated bathrooms with a shower are only a few steps away which will make stopping at the dump station on the way out less smelly. We saw several people taking advantage of the showers. I assume it was after their time on the dunes.

A pack of coyotes were singing to us late last night and again on our early morning walk. Wrens, red wing black birds, coots, and a blue heron greeted us as we were walking early Saturday morning. Coyote, ground squirrel, and deer tracks are everywhere outside of camp. Trees are a rarity, most of them were planted in the park in hopes of providing shade in the future. Out here, sage brush and tumble weeds vie for the honor of being designated Idaho’s state bush. (No there isn’t an official state bush.)

Things to do

One of the activities available is to visit the observatory and take in some of the educational programs offered in the park. Because the park is an informal “dark sky” area, the stars can be very clearly seen on cloudless nights. To help reduce light pollution that can interfere with star gazing, campers are requested to keep lighting at a minimum around their campsites. An educational center offers natural history displays.

Another activity in the park is “sand surfing.” You can either bring your own board or rent one in at the visitor’s center. Sand surfing is similar to surfing in the ocean but it hurts more if you fall – water is softer than sand. Probably some of the people we saw showering needed to clean up after surfing. For people like me who are balance-challenged, we would end up eating more sand than is good for us, but it looks fun for those who can remain upright.

There are trails for both people and horses around the lakes and dunes. The trail you choose will determine how far you will travel. Some of the trails were a little hard for us to follow as the tumble weeds hid the route we were to follow.

Some people come for the time with nature. Others come to disconnect from technology, others come for family time. We had at least two groups around us that took up several campsites and were either family or close friends. All staying in a wide variety of accommodations. There were tents of all sizes; a lot of camp trailers of various vintages, and a few of us in motor homes. Several people also brought their quads along to get around.

Don’t expect conditions to be the same as they are at home. Neighbors will be closer and come and go at all hours. Things you would expect to be common courtesy won’t even enter the minds of some people. And yet some of the nicest people you will ever meet will be in campgrounds in the remotest places you can imagine. Total strangers will invite you to dinner or a party. People will stop and give you a hand when you need it and expect nothing in return. All in all, you can expect some of the best experiences of your life out on the road.

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