Just two hours north of Idaho’s state capital and nestled in the mountains, lies a charming lake town called McCall. Home to the beautiful Ponderosa State Park, Payette Lake, mountains, hot springs and a wide variety of outdoor and family activities, McCall offers something for the whole family during the summer.
Kayaking in McCall Idaho
Kayaking at Backwoods Adventures
Paddle along at your own pace on the Upper North Fork of the Payette River. Choose from kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes and enjoy this non motorized area where wildlife and nature abound. You may be able to spot moose, elk, deer, mink, otters, eagles and osprey.
Ice Cream Alley
This sweet stop is a must when you’re in McCall. Squeeze between two buildings through an actual alley and enjoy local ice cream, such as huckleberry, in a quaint little courtyard.
Pancake House
The Pancake House is a McCall classic. You’ll see the parking lot packed all morning, but it’s worth the crowds and the wait. If you want to skip the wait and you enjoy breakfast for dinner, The Pancake House is open for dinner, but serves breakfast all day long. Pancakes bigger than your head might be just what you need after an active day in McCall.
Ponderosa State Park
The real gem of McCall is Ponderosa State Park. Covering the 1,000 acre peninsula jutting into Payette Lake, Ponderosa State park offers hiking and cycling trails, campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, swimming, wildlife viewing, volleyball and horseshoes. Be sure to catch the sunset at Osprey Point. It’s a great place to spend time in nature either as a day trip or over several nights.
McCall Fish Hatchery
What may seem like an unlikely activity, is a great educational experience at the McCall Fish Hatchery. Visitors can learn about the lifecycle of salmon and follow it as they walk through each stage of the salmons’ growth at the hatchery, from egg to release.
Go Fishing
After you’ve discovered the lifecycle of fish, head out on the water and enjoy some fishing. There are several companies in McCall offering guided tours on the surrounding waters.
McCall Scenic Lake Cruise
Take a 90-minute ride on the IDAHO, and enjoy views of the shore from the lake. Pick out your favorite beach house while you enjoy learning about the lake and the town from your local guide.
Watch Professional Kayakers
On your way up to McCall, be sure to catch the professional kayakers that brave class 4 and 5 rapids on the Payette River. The best kayakers in the world come to these waters to enjoy some of the most challenging stretches of river in the country.
Rafting in McCall Idaho
Partway between McCall and Boise you will find Cascade Raft and Kayak, which offers multiple rafting options for the entire family. Choose from more relaxing scenic half floats to more challenging challenging class 4 rafting with the aid of a trained and experienced river guide.
McCall will stay with you long after you leave and its gorgeous scenery and outdoor fun and adventure will have you coming back for more!
