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Payette Lake – McCall District Administrative Site 91001892 Valley County, ID📷 Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0

Payette Lake

McCall, ID

Nature

A deep alpine lake beside the town of McCall, ringed by pine forest and public beaches. Rent a kayak or walk the lakeshore paths in summer; in winter the town hosts a snow festival.

Payette Lake, on the edge of McCall, was shaped by glaciers. It sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,520 m), covers roughly 5,330 acres (22 km²) and is up to 392 feet (120 m) deep. Fishing, swimming and boating are popular, and several sandy beaches invite you to linger. Ponderosa State Park occupies a peninsula of more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) with forest, a campground and trails.

In summer the shoreline and beaches are ideal for a relaxed day, by kayak or on foot. In winter McCall hosts the Winter Carnival, which traces its origins to a sports festival in 1924; book lodging and campsites early then. McCall lies in southwestern Idaho, about 105 miles (170 km) by road north of Boise.

Nearest town
McCall, ID
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
44.9100, -116.0990

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and October. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Sources

Nearby

Editor's pick
Views

Hells Canyon Overlook

Joseph, OR
South end Wallowa Lake, Oregon (25920361117)© Bonnie Moreland from Oregon, United States · Public domain
Nature

Wallowa Lake

Joseph, OR
Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains – IDAHO-J-0085 Sheep - Stanley Basin© WaterArchives.org from Sacramento, California, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Views

Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains

Stanley, ID
Boats in Redfish Lake© Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Redfish Lake

Stanley, ID

Campsites nearby

  • McCall RV ResortMotorhome stopover
    1 mi from Payette Lake
    CaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Black Bear RV ParkCampsite
    1 mi from Payette Lake
    TentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Grouse CampgroundCampsite
    11 mi from Payette Lake · 21 pitches
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Chalet Family CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    13 mi from Payette Lake · 76 pitches
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Rainbow Point CampgroundCampsite
    14 mi from Payette Lake
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Poison Creek CampgroundCampsite
    17 mi from Payette Lake · 22 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Idaho · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Payette Lake?

Payette Lake is in McCall, ID, at GPS 44.9100, -116.0990. It is about 10 mi from New Meadows.

Can you camp near Payette Lake?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is McCall RV Resort, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Payette Lake?

Places worth a stop nearby: Hells Canyon Overlook (40 mi), Wallowa Lake (60 mi), Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains (74 mi) and Redfish Lake (79 mi).

When is the best time to visit Payette Lake?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)