From Deseret News archives:

Spring is great time to visit desert

Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:05 p.m. MDT
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Camping: There's only one place you can camp in Leslie Gulch and that's the U.S Bureau of Land Management campground near Owyhee Reservoir. It has sunshades, picnic tables, fire rings and gravel pads. No water is available but the campground has a rest room.

Cost: Free.

Note: This is a fragile area, so read the pamphlet that is available at the entrance.

Getting there: You can get to Leslie Gulch by heading out of Nampa on Idaho 55 west and south to Marsing. Continue out of Marsing to the junction of U.S. 95. Take U.S. 95 and drive about 20 miles south to McBride Creek Road (marked by a Leslie Gulch sign). Turn right on the dirt road and follow the Leslie Gulch signs for about 25 miles.

SUCCOR CREEK (Primitive camping): This is an excellent spring hiking area in a deep canyon. You'll find lots of interesting rock formations. There's a lot of cross-country hiking and scrambling for those looking for a strenuous hike.

For families, wandering along the dirt road through the canyon's creek gorge is enough to keep everyone happy.

It is a good place for a weekend camp or a day trip.

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Camping: The campground is bare bones with a rest room. No water is available. Pedestrians are allowed to cross the creek into the east side of the park and may walk in to camp at 12 campsites. Six campsites east of the creek are available to park and set up camp. Succor Creek is an unstaffed, no-fee primitive camping area.

Cost: Free.

Notes: You'll need to bring your own water. Watch the roads in wet weather.

Getting there: Head out of Nampa on Idaho 55 toward Marsing. At Marsing, head north on U.S 95 toward Homedale. At Homedale turn west on Idaho 19 toward Adrian, Ore. Once across the border, the highway turns to Oregon 201. It's 6 miles from Homedale to the turnoff to Succor Creek State Park. The 15-mile ride on the dirt road to the park is suitable for some passenger cars during dry weather.

BRUNEAU DUNES PARK (Full-service camping): Bruneau Dunes State Park near Mountain Home is an easy way to get a glimpse of Idaho's high-desert terrain and also a couple of really wild sand dunes. It's one of the most fun places for kids.

Camping: This is plush. You can plug in and hook up to water. The rest rooms and showers make camping pretty slick.

Cost: Full hooks, $21.20 a night; tent camping, $12.72. Motor vehicle entrance fee, $4.

Getting there: I-84 east to the first Mountain Home exit; go south on Idaho 51 to the Snake River; east on Idaho 78 for 2 miles.

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