St. Anthony Sand Dunes
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
There's something truly mesmerizing about Idaho's St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Laid out over roughly 10,600 acres, this seemingly endless expanse of white quartz sand is the largest dune field in the state, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recreation area appeals to hikers, photographers, and OHV hobbyists alike. Some RV folks appreciate the well-appointed Egin Lakes Campground for its amenities, while others enjoy the option to spread out with dispersed camping. Paved roads reach the campground, though the dunes themselves are soft sand. Some sites can be reserved online, so glance at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes BLM recreation page before embarking on your journey.
Quick Facts About RVing in St. Anthony Sand Dunes
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: Varies by site • Camping Type: Developed campground and dispersed camping • Reservations: Partial (26 of 48 sites) • Hookups: Electric only • Dump Station: On-site • Potable Water: Available • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed (keep under control) • Roads: Paved access; soft sand off-road • Best Season: Late spring through early fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Developed campground with electric hookups • Room for big rigs at Egin Lakes • Dispersed camping for a quieter, more secluded stay • OHV access straight from camp • Dark skies for standout stargazing • Easy basecamp near Yellowstone and Grand Teton • Hiking and horseback riding right outside camp
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Henry's Fork Greenway (North)
Find the entrance to this partially paved trail close to River View Cemetary. Leashed dogs are welcome, and strollers and wheelchairs can use this path. Warmer months run from April until November, when the trail is great for birding, hiking, biking, walking, and running. Cross-country skiing is possible in winter, but you can do wildlife viewing or fishing all year long. Length: 2.0 miles Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Henry's Lake is an angler's paradise. Many consider this place to be one of the best trout fisheries anywhere in the West. Be ready to catch cut-bow hybrid, brook, and cutthroat trout. Boating is possible via either a ramp or launching docks.
Climbing
Paramount Wall / Blanche Rock is a place where climbers can find relief from the hot summer sun. Those new to climbing can enjoy a number of lines rated 5.9 to 5.10 in difficulty. A 50-meter rope is enough for all but three routes. Spraypaint, Positively Negative, and Fly By Night are better left to more experienced climbers.
Wildlife Viewing
The St. Anthony sand dunes might look lifeless, but they're actually a crucial environment for several distinct species of beetle. The surrounding grasslands, sagebrush, and juniper are also habitats for sage grouse. In the winter, moose, mule deer, and elk spend time here. If you spend any time fishing at Henry's Lake, then you might see sandhill cranes, pelicans, swans, and antelope.
ATV Riding
ATV riding is easily the most popular activity at the St. Anthony dunes. You can bring your own, but a number of campgrounds and stores in the vicinity offer rentals and equipment you can rent or buy.
Horseback Riding
ATVs aren't the only way to ride the dunes if you bring your horse. Just make sure you stay on the designated equestrian paths when outside the open sand. The Egin Lakes campground has a horse tye-up spot, and be sure you bring everything your horse might need on a long, hot ride.
Stargazing
The dunes don't get a lot of light pollution. That makes them very popular for anyone who loves watching the skies above. Clear nights in the later portions of July can be a great chance to witness the Perseid meteor showers.
Shooting
Given how many parts of the dunes are free of both animals and people, it's a relatively safe place for shooting clay pigeons. State policy does require you to take out anything you bring in, so pick up your shells and shards when you're done.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping is available at Egin Lakes Campground. You can reserve 26 of the total 48 campsites in advance, and the rest are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. This campground has electrical service, potable water, and an RV dump station. Concessions, restrooms, and picnic sites are also available to campers and daytime users.
Developed Campgrounds
Egin Lakes Campground is the main developed option serving the dunes. With 48 campsites — each outfitted with an electrical hookup, plus potable water from shared hydrants nearby — you'll have access to real amenities without giving up the option to camp close to the sand. Some of the other amenities include ATV unloading areas, trash service, vault restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and an RV dump station. You'll be able to reserve 26 of the 48 campsites through Recreation.gov; the others are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping fees vary by site.
Dispersed Camping
RVers are also welcome to take advantage of dispersed camping whenever possible. Of course, you won't have access to any of the amenities available at the developed campground, but if your RV is more self-contained, it may be a great option. Be sure to adhere to the BLM's 14-day camping limit within a 28-day period. You should also check the rules ahead of time, brush up on what dispersed camping involves, and follow the Outdoor Ethics set out by the BLM.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans are probably the best choice. Their compact size handles the campground roads easily and makes dispersed sites more accessible, but avoid driving onto soft sand. • Travel Trailers: Travel trailers are a good option for families. Egin Lakes Campground can easily accommodate most travel trailers. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels are suitable for the developed campground, where the larger sites and electric hookups fit longer rigs. Keep them on the established roads. • Class A Motorhomes: Most can use Egin Lakes Campground due to the amenities. Remote areas are not recommended since soft sand can trap a heavy coach. • Class B Motorhomes: They're just as maneuverable as a camper van, with the advantage of built-in holding tanks. That makes them comfortable whether you plug into Egin Lakes' hookups or head out to a dispersed site. • Class C Motorhomes: They're a comfortable fit for the developed campground, where hookups and level sites suit their cab-over design. Stick to established roads since the moderate clearance isn't built for rough terrain.
Free Camping 
Free and dispersed camping is legal in Idaho forests unless otherwise posted. You need to stay away from paid campsites and sources of water. Warm Slough 2 is a good campsite in the area of the dunes outside of Rexburg for Bureau of Land Management free camping. Open year-round, this is down a dirt road and has a handful of campsites. The maximum RV length it can accommodate is 25 feet. There is a fire ring and fishing available.
RV Rentals Near St. Anthony Sand Dunes Plan your next adventure
Planning your St. Anthony Sand Dunes BLM trip
You should know that only some of the dunes are open all year, such as the smaller dunes just east of the campground to Red Road. However, even those are usually covered with snow after the start of the calendar year. The big dunes on the west side are closed from the start of the year until April 1. Anything south of Egin - Hamer Rd is also closed for that same time period. Some areas of open sand stay closed until May 1. If you go during the summer, be prepared for temperatures to go over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Always be ready to ride designated routes with safety flags and your annual OHV sticker. Honor all posted signs, and don't take any glass containers along. Riders under the age of 18 have to wear helmets per state law. If you are there for shooting, make sure you wear bright colors so drivers see you and can avoid you. Given the noise levels involved in driving in OHV, they might not hear you shooting. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
St. Anthony Sand Dunes is one of the more RV-friendly BLM destinations you'll find, but it still pays to plan ahead. The campground fills up on popular weekends and holidays, so reserve early if your dates are set. St. Anthony and Rexburg are both close by for fuel, groceries, and last-minute supplies. If you're bringing OHVs, make sure they're properly registered before you arrive; Idaho requires an annual OHV sticker and safety flag, and riders under 18 must wear helmets. There's no sewer hookup at individual sites, so plan to use Egin Lakes' on-site dump station before you leave, or check RVshare's dump station directory if you need one elsewhere along your route. Cell service can be spotty out on the dunes, so download any maps you'll need and check the weather before you leave.
Leave No Trace 
Whether you visit the dunes for a day of adventure or camp somewhere for multiple nights, make sure that one of the last things you do is retrace your steps and pack out all your waste. Enjoying current BLM lands in the here and now has to be balanced with preserving these natural spaces for future visitors, whether they come next week or a decade from now. You're asked to practice the "Leave No Trace" guidelines durning your visit.
St. Anthony Sand Dunes Location
Starting in the nearby city of Saint Anthony, follow Main St to the west until you get to N Salem Road. Turn north on E 500 Rd N, and stay right. When you get to Elgin Lks Acc, turn right. You'll make a right turn into the entrance. Address: Upper Snake Field Office, 1405 Hollipark Dr., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Ready to visit St. Anthony Sand Dunes? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at St. Anthony Sand Dunes
• Morning: Mornings on the dunes are cool and quiet, making them a great time to be outside before the heat sets in. Grab breakfast at your RV, then head out for a hike or a few photos while the light is soft. • Afternoon: Afternoons are best spent four-wheeling on the dunes or heading out on horseback. Explore whichever trails or open sand areas interest you most. • Evening: After supper, settle in to watch the sunset and swap stories around the campfire. Once night falls, the dark skies here make for excellent stargazing right from camp.
Nearby Attractions
• Yellowstone Bear World: A 45-minute drive puts you at this family favorite, where you can get up close with the animals from the safety of your vehicle. • Mesa Falls Scenic Byway: Plan on about an hour to reach this scenic drive, where pullouts and short trails lead to views of the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls. • Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: Roughly two hours away, this otherworldly volcanic landscape makes a great add-on to your trip. RVshare's Craters of the Moon guide covers what to see and where to camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you RV camp at St. Anthony Sand Dunes? Yes. Egin Lakes Campground offers 48 developed sites with electric hookups, and dispersed camping is available nearby for self-contained rigs. That mix makes the dunes workable for everything from camper vans to larger motorhomes. Do I need reservations? Not always. Of the 48 sites at Egin Lakes, 26 can be reserved online, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends and holidays, when the campground fills quickly. Dispersed camping never requires a reservation. Are hookups available? Yes, each site at Egin Lakes has an electric hookup. Potable water comes from shared hydrants around the campground rather than individual water hookups, and there's no sewer connection at the sites, so plan to use the on-site dump station before you leave. Can I ride my ATV from the campsite? Yes. There's a designated OHV unloading ramp, and you can ride into the open sand from the area. Just follow all the local rules. Idaho requires an annual OHV sticker and safety flag. Riders under 18 must wear helmets. Everyone should stay on designated routes and ride only in open sand. When's the best time to visit? Although summer is the most popular time, you may find that late spring and early autumn are great times to visit as well. During May and late September, for instance, many travelers enjoy the cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
St. Anthony Sand Dunes is one of the more comfortable and welcoming BLM stops for RV travelers, so you have real options for what to bring. For couples, a camper van is a natural fit. For larger groups, a travel trailer may be the better choice. If you're leaning toward dispersed camping, a self-contained camper van or Class B motorhome will get you there without needing hookups. Not sure which class fits your trip? RVshare's RV classes guide breaks down the differences. Because you'll have a mix of hookups and dispersed sites to choose from, this is also a good spot to try an RV type you've been wanting to test out. Whether your plan is to explore everything Idaho has to offer or get in as much dune buggy time as possible, browse St. Anthony RV rentals to find the right fit for your trip.