Payette Lake, Idaho
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
In the mountains of west-central Idaho, you’ll find pristine Payette Lake, a camper’s dream destination. The massive 5,330-acre lake is roughly 100 miles straight north from the Boise metropolitan area and is a popular vacation destination for Idahoans and visitors, alike. Formed by ancient glaciers, this mountain lake is known for its cold, crystal-clear water and gorgeous forest scenery.
Many years ago, the lake was a sacred natural resource to a variety of Native American Tribes. When European settlers reached the area, it became a major trading center with a heavy emphasis on the remarkable timber resources. Today, about half of Payette Lake is protected by Ponderosa State Park and remains a remarkably natural and unspoiled landscape that you will not want to miss on your RV camping trip.
For some unforgettable hiking at Payette Lake, head to Ponderosa State Park on its prominent peninsula. More than 12 miles of trails meander throughout the peninsula to bring you through a variety of natural settings. You’ll wander past marshes, forest, and plenty of hills with significant elevation change.
Many of these trails also bring you down to the water’s edge. The Peninsula trail, in particular, hugs the coastline as you make your way out to the gorgeous overlook at The Narrows. Up here, you’ll have an incredible 360-degree view of the sprawling lake in all its glory.
It’s not easy to find good trout lakes, and when you do, they can sometimes be hard to reach. Luckily, Payette Lake is an accessible mountain snow-fed lake with perfect conditions for highly sought after cold water fish species. There are 10 different trout and salmon species that reside in Payette Lake, each with its own quirks and challenges.
Another highly sought-after species at Payette Lake is the whitefish. These sleek silver fish are prized for their meat, which is particularly delicious when smoked. If you’re looking for a familiar face (or mouth), there are also plenty of America’s favorite sportfish, the largemouth bass.
You’re probably not surprised to see boating as a recommendation for a lake, but it really is critical to get out on the water on Payette Lake. The scenery is truly something out of a movie with the forested hills climbing from shore, rising into mountains in the distance. Since most folks visit Payette lake to do just this, there are plenty of opportunities to rent anything you’re looking for including wave runners and pontoon boats.
If you prefer to do the propulsion the old-fashioned way, the kayaking and canoeing opportunities are also great at Payette Lake (as well as the surrounding area). Many kayakers enjoy paddling up to outflow of the lake on the very northern end, where it becomes the North Payette River. Things become much more secluded here as you wind deeper into the wilderness as the river flows north. If you are looking for more action, there is an actual whitewater park in the area for kayakers to go play.
The steep terrain and dense forests make the Payette Lake area a thrilling and scenic venue for some intense mountain biking. You can find some solid trails within Ponderosa State Park. These dedicated mountain bike routes feature significant elevation changes and awesome lake views along the shore as you dart and jump your way out to various overlooks on the point.
On the west side of the lake, you can also find a bunch of longer and more challenging trails maintained by local clubs in Payette National Forest. These routes are up to 12 miles in length and many are interconnected so you can extend and adjust your ride at your leisure. If you haven’t packed your mountain bike but would still like to ride, there are a number of places that offer rentals.
If you’re still looking for heart-pounding fun after mountain biking and kayaking in whitewater, look to a little ziplining in the nearby mountains. The Tamarack Resort offers guided zipline tours that eventually work your way nearly 2,000 feet down a mountain. Your two-to-three-hour tour will include eight different zip lines as well as two suspension bridges and your guides will also share some fascinating history of the area.
Ziplining is in high demand during the busy summer tourism months. The resort recommends booking your spots a minimum of one week in advance. Children are allowed to participate in the fun; however, they must weigh a minimum of 85 pounds. You’ll also be required to wear close-toed shoes.
For those who want to camp right on the lake itself, or rather the river immediately leading into it, the Northwest Passage Campground is right for you. Camping here is for folks looking for an ‘off-the-grid’ feel as the northern end of the lake is fairly remote with no towns within 20 miles. Your campsite will be primitive, with no hookups, but potable water and vault toilets are available. These sites are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis, so it’s good to have a backup plan ready.
Only about a mile to the southern lakeshore, McCall RV Resort in its namesake town is a wonderful blend of convenience and close proximity to Payette Lake. All campsites are full hookup capable with up to 50-amp electric service. Campers will have access to bathhouses, a laundry facility, fitness center, playground, and a heated indoor pool (great for the winter). You’ll also be within walking distances of many of McCall’s local restaurants.
Also within McCall’s city limits, Black Bear RV Park is another convenient camping option. Currently in an expansion phase, the campground is under new management and plans to add many additional amenities in the coming years. For now, however, the RV camping experience still checks plenty of boxes. Water and electricity will be available at your site and a dump station is provided for campers on-site. Bathhouses, a laundry facility, and a camp store round out the current amenities, however you’ll be plenty close to downtown McCall for anything else you might need or want.
If you’d prefer to stay on the west side of the lake in a less busy area, Creekside RV Park and Campground might be perfect. Perched along Meadow Creek, the campground has a scenic and calming atmosphere. The 37 campsites are a mixture of water/electric only or full hookup access. For camper comfort, the campground provides bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Get your fishing poles out for a little fun in the evening at the on-site pond. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, head into the town of New Meadows just 3 miles away.
For a solid option to the south, look to Chalet RV Park in Donnelly (14 miles away). The buildings of the park do indeed resemble ski chalets with their distinct architecture, giving it a quaint and homey feel. The large campground has 76 spaces with full hookups, although electrical is only rated for 30 amps. All the basics will be covered with bathhouses, showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi. For entertainment, check out the playground, rec center, or fishing right on Boulder Creek.
The town of McCall sits at the southern bay of Payette lake and has the best concentration of dining options nearby. In addition to the usual hearty American fare of the area, campers will also find Mexican, sushi, pizza, coffee houses, and sports bars. If you’re going to be camping on the northern end of the lake, you’ll be in proper wilderness and must bring in your own food.
Your best option for food away from the lakeshore will be out west in New Meadows (about 10 miles away), but it is smaller than McCall and doesn’t have as many restaurants. There are a few chains in town as well as BBQ, pizza, and American cafés. If neither McCall nor New Meadows work out, you’ll be looking to towns well over 25 miles away.
No matter where you stay, the rugged mountain beauty and crystal-clear waters of Payette Lake will be very fond memories from your RV road trip throughout the great Gem State.