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MCCALL ACTIVITIES

Choose Your McCall Adventure

McCall is made for adventure in every season. From hiking mountain trails and cruising Payette Lake to biking Brundage, picking huckleberries, horseback riding and soaking in nearby hot springs, there’s always something new to explore. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or simply looking for your next outdoor adventure, here are a few of our favorite ways to experience McCall.

Mountain lake hikes

There are several mountain lake hikes within an hour from McCall, including Boulder Lake, Deep Lake, and Josephine Lake.

McCall Lake Cruises

Water cruise around Payette Lake aboard McCall Lake Cruises’ 62′ boat, The IDAHO. Perfect for private parties and special events, the boat accommodates up to 40 guests in its main cabin and rooftop deck, complete with a full-service bar.

Cycle Boat Tour

For a smaller boating tour experience, gather your friends and hop aboard the Payette Pedal Party for a cycle boat tour of the lake. Tours are offered daily for all types of events such as birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and more. Individual seats can be purchased on the public tour, or you can book the 15-passenger vessel for a private tour.

Ice skating

Cool off from the summer heat at the Manchester Ice Rink. Hit the ice during public skating times or get competitive and rent some ice bumper cars.

Huckleberry picking

Grab a bucket and pick some huckleberries. The best time to pick huckleberries near McCall is from late July through August. Look for bushes at elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 feet in places like Ponderosa State Park and the Payette National Forest

Bike around the lake

Load your bike on the chairlift and enjoy an exhilarating ride at Brundage Bike Park. Choose from several downhill trails, including a 6-mile trail and a scenic flow route through diverse mountain terrain. If you don’t want to bike, you can also buy a lift pass and hike down the mountain.

Yoga on the Mountain

Brundage offers free yoga classes throughout the summer.

brundage concerts

Grab a chair or a blanket and enjoy Brundage’s concert series happening on Friday evenings in the summer.

Kayak/paddle board

Paddle the Meanders, a calm stretch of the North Fork of the Payette River lined with towering pines, wetlands, and rocky bluffs. Launch from the North Beach Boat Ramp for an easy, scenic kayaking or paddleboarding adventure. Bring your own equipment or rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard during the summer season from Backwood Adventures — located at the North Beach Boat Ramp.

hike ponderosa

Take a hike around one of Ponderosa State Park’s many trails.

HOT SPRINGS

Check out hot springs nearby, including Gold Fork Hot Springs located just south of McCall and Zims, located in New Meadows.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Drive from Boise: 2 hours
Round Trip: 100 miles
Best Known For: Payette Lake, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant downtown
Directions: Take ID-55 North toward McCall. Stay on ID-55 for approximately 100 miles until you reach downtown McCall. The drive takes about 2 hours but could take longer depending on traffic and road conditions.
Where to Stay: Shore Lodge, Hotel McCall, Airbnbs, McCall RV Resort
Visiting Tips: McCall gets busy in the summer, so book early, expect crowds, and be mindful of the local community. “With more and more people coming to enjoy our beautiful community, we want to make sure that spark, that uniqueness that makes this place special isn’t lost for future generations,” Visit McCall’s website notes.
Visit McCall also encourages visitors to take The McCall Promise — a pledge to respect the community, protect the area’s natural beauty, practice Leave No Trace, and embrace the slower pace of mountain life.