Egin Lakes campground to keep gates open one more week

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will keep the Egin Lakes campground open until October 10. The agency said it would be staffed during regular business hours.

“We are happy to provide this service to our public,” said Jeremy Casterson, BLM Upper Snake Field Office Manager.

The Egin Lakes recreation site will seasonally close to overnight camping effective Oct. 10 through approximately May 1, depending on weather. The site will remain open for day use throughout the winter.

The BLM closes the campground for the season because visitation decreases as weather gets colder. The water system is shut down and winterized.

In addition, a closure to protect wintering elk, moose, and deer is in place from January 1 through April 1 in the larger area surrounding the campground and dunes.

According to the BLM, the white quartz sand dunes are the largest in Idaho and blanket an area approximately 35 miles long and five miles wide. This area sees over 250,000 visitors a year from around the world. In addition to providing a human playground, it is an important environment for a variety of plants and animals, providing critical winter range for elk, mule deer and moose.