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Why not come play in Idaho's Sand?
Located just 15 miles north-west of Rexburg. The Sand Dunes is a vacation wonderland with limitless recreational possibilities.
We like to think of the Sand Dunes as year-round fun. In the Summer, sandrails and off-road vehicle enthusiasts from all over come to ride the dunes. Though the sand gets hot, the temperature rarely tops 90 degrees. With small rolling hills in the east suitable for youngsters and beginning ATVers, and challenging hills in the west, mountains of sand up to 600 feet high, there's sure to be a dune for everyone!!
If off-road vehicles aren't your thing, there's fun to be had hiking, horseback riding, sandboarding, hunting, primitive camping, and cooling off in the warm shallow waters of Hidden Lake. (Anyone for water volleyball?)
In the Winter, the Sand Dunes transform with the cold and snow to a popular winter playground that lures cross country skiiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers. It's also a great place to take the kids tubing and sledding.
But bundle up!!!
It's cold out there!!!
Geology and History
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes is an unusual area 35 miles long and 5 miles wide.
Beautiful Dunes, white rolling hills of sand (most 200-300 feet above the valley floor), were formed when quartz sand, carried from the nearby Snake River and ancient shorelines, was deposited by prevailing winds among the Juniper Hills. These hills are extinct volcano vents that once poured molten lava onto the Snake River Plain.
A local Indian legend about the information on the dunes says that this area was the site of fierce, bloody battles between the Bannock and Shoshone Indians and the Blackfoot Tribes, at war over hunting grounds.
One day as the sun was sinking, flooding the west with a brilliant after-glow, the great dunes arose and engulfed the warring armies. Not a single warrior escaped.
Their families fled to escape extinction.
Each evening as the sun sets, the spirits of the warriors are said to chant and moan the tortured cry of the vanquished. Maybe it’s just the wind, but with the discovery of arrowheads and other Indian Artifacts, you might find yourself wondering just how much of the story is legend……
Facilities
Facilities include a gravel access road, a 60 car parking area, an unloading ramp and restrooms. A small informal camping area is also available near the parking area. If you enjoy tent camping, you are in luck!
It is allowed just about anywhere on the dunes when access is gained by foot or off-road vehicles. And, if after a day of playing in the sand you’d just love a hot shower and comfy bed, we have lots of great lodging alternatives available in Rexburg.
Sand Dunes Rules and Regulations
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes are part of the Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area managed by the BLM.
This area provided critical winter range for deer, elk, antelope and moose.
Recreation use off the open sand or designated trails can result in the destruction of vegetation and other features of the landscape.
To protect this area, the following rules apply:
Stay on the open sand. Protect the vegetation.
Follow designated trails. Unless a route is specifically signed OPEN, it is closed.
Use only plastic beverage containers; glass containers are prohibited.
Make sure off-road vehicles are equipped with a 6 foot-long whip antenna with a red or orange flag.
Motorized vehicles yield the right of way to those on foot or horseback.
Pack out trash.
Drive only ATV’s motorcycles and dune rails beyond parking area.
Idaho residents must display a valid state ORV sticker on their motorcycle or ATV. Out-of-state ATV’s must have a valid registrationo sticker if one is required in their home state.
No Open Campfires are allowed inside the WSA (Wilderness Study Area) except in the designated RED ROAD OPEN SAND CAMPFIRE AREA.
The burning of pallets, treated wood, or non wood materials is prohibited in any campfire area.
Quiet hours within the Egin Lake Access Site and the RED ROAD RECREATION AREA are from 11pm to 7am.
For Further Information Contact:
US Department of the Interior Bureau Of Land Management
Idaho Falls Field Office
1405 Hollipark drive
Idaho falls, Idaho 83401
208-524-7500
208-523-1012
info@YellowstoneMall.com
1-800-634-3246 YellowstoneMall.com
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