Discover the Best of McCall, Idaho: Gateway to the Main Salmon

Make the Most of Your Time in Idaho’s Premier Lake-and-River Town

Spend five minutes on the shore of Payette Lake, and you’ll understand why people who visit keep coming back to McCall, Idaho. Perched on the southern shore, surrounded by national forests, this small mountain town is a launching pad for every type of outdoor adventure you might be looking for. Whether you’re visiting to decompress on the lake or venture further into the backcountry on a hike or multi-day river trip, McCall puts some of Idaho’s best outdoor adventures within easy reach. 

Top Things to Do in & Around McCall

The best part about McCall is that you don’t have to choose between lake days, scenic hikes, and whitewater adventures—you can experience them all in a single visit. 

Get Out on the Lake

Eight miles long, and 2.5 miles wide, Payette Lake is hard to miss. For an afternoon of high-energy fun, you can visit Mile High Marina. Right downtown, Mile High Marina has a plethora of watercraft available for rental: wake surf boats, power boats, jet skis, and 8 and 10-person pontoon boats. All rentals are due back by 6 pm, so if you’re looking for an evening adventure, or a more relaxing boat adventure, check out McCall Lake Cruises for a scenic sunset cruise. Kick back with a drink and lounge on the roof deck of The Idaho. 

If you’d like to paddle, the Upper North Fork of the Payette River is a non-motorized stretch the locals call “The Meanders.” The crystal clear waters move slowly over the shallows, clear enough to watch for fish while stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking. Look up, and you just may spot a moose or a family of bald eagles. You can rent your watercraft right at the boat ramp from Backwoods Adventures.

Pro tip: Looking for a longer water-based adventure? McCall is a popular meeting spot for Main Salmon River rafting trips, which floats through the nearby Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Start and end your multi-day wilderness adventure with extra time in McCall for the perfect summer vacation.

Hit the Trails 

There’s plenty of exploring to be done on land, too. Less than two miles from downtown, Ponderosa State Park feels much further away. The park’s 1,000-acre peninsula is laced with shaded trails moving through ponderosa forests past secluded beaches and picnic areas. The climb to the Narrows Overlook pays off with an iconic panoramic view of the Lake. You can also access this viewpoint by car if that works better for some in your party. Make sure to stick around to catch a park naturalist for an evening show at the amphitheater.

Want a little more altitude? Eight miles from town, Brundage Mountain Resort is an alpine playground. Access 30 miles of lift-assisted trails for both mountain biking and hiking. Or just take a lap on the chairlift to enjoy the views. However you choose to recreate, you’ll enjoy aerial forest and wildflower views on the way up, not to mention spectacular lake and mountainous views off the backside from 7,800 feet. 

Get in Hot Water

After all that exploring, it might be time to rest your tired muscles. Idaho has more soakable hot springs than any other state, and McCall’s hot springs do not disappoint. Burgdorf Hot Springs, an historic resort first settled in the 1860s, hasn’t changed much since then — many original cabins remain today. There are three log-sided, gravel-bottomed hot pools of different temperatures. You’ll be feeling relaxed and ready for what’s next in no time. Reservations are required, so make sure to schedule your soak ahead of time! Gold Fork Hot Springs is another beautiful spot to relax, just south of town. The mineral-rich waters cascade through six different pools. This is a cash-only operation, so be prepared before you go!

Eat Like a Local

It’s not all about the adventure. McCall is also a charming alpine village with a robust food scene. In true community spirit, many joints in town prioritize locally-sourced ingredients.

For the Best Benedict Breakfast and More

In the heart of downtown, the FoggLifter Cafe is a popular spot for the best eggs Benedict. They’ve got the classics, but they’ve also got some secret favorites—try their huevos rancheros or the East Indian inspired poached eggs on lentil dashi with pineapple chutney. Enjoy the cozy atmosphere inside or soak up the mountain air on their outdoor patio. 

Pro tip: After breakfast, take your coffee to go, and walk one block to Legacy Park. Enjoy the lakefront walking path, or nab a bench with mountain views.

For the Best Views

Want to eat breakfast with a view? Check out Alpine Pantry and Provisions, a community anchor offering a great brunch along with a small curated market. They’ve got a little of everything, so this place works for big groups. They’ve got soups, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast classics, plus some creative curveballs. Try their Banana Caramel Dream French Toast or savory Southwest Crepes. Whatever you eat, you’ll feel welcome in this rustic and warm, family-run establishment.

Come evening, you can’t beat the views from the Salmon River Brewery’s rooftop deck. Watch the sunset over Payette Lake, or hang out in their Courtyard to play cornhole and bocce ball while listening to live music. Whether you’re sitting up high or down low, you’ll be sipping on award-winning craft beer, brewed with local ingredients.

For a Special Night/Best Fine Dining

James Beard-nominated Chef Gary Kucy cooks up a wonderful dining experience at Rupert’s. He creatively plays with Southwest, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors while prioritizing fresh, local ingredients. Rupert’s is inside Hotel McCall in the heart of downtown, and the outdoor dining overlooks the lake. 

Best Bakery

There will probably be a line at Stacey Cakes, but there’s a reason for that. Don’t let it scare you away. They’re famous for their soft and chewy gingersnaps, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu from their sweet to savory pastries, cookies to homemade soups. Need a trail snack? Grab a bag of their Hot and Sassy Mix to fuel you on your next adventure.  

Best Desert

You won’t want to leave McCall without making at least one stop at one of the community summer staples. Ice Cream Alley is the perfect place to cap off a day of adventuring. It’s a shady respite featuring “mountain-sized scoops.” Try the local favorite, Huckleberry. 

Where to Stay

At the center of it all, Hotel McCall is located right by Legacy Park on the banks of the lake. This historic hotel has been in operation since 1904, a piece of McCall’s history, surrounded by incredible mountain views. If you’re looking for an extra unique experience, book their Glass House, a three-bedroom house with 170 windows overlooking the lake. 

The Evergreen Hotel, which perfectly blends a rustic, log-cabin-inspired aesthetic with modern comfort, makes another excellent choice just blocks from downtown. Guests love the indoor pool and hot tub for post-adventure relaxation, while the on-site Cedars Lounge handles morning coffee and evening happy hour.

Want to sleep out under the stars? Surrounded by public land, there are a lot of camping options in and around McCall. Ponderosa State Park offers a little bit of everything: serviced and non-serviced campgrounds, as well as cabins for small and large groups. With access to trails, but only two miles from town, this is a great option for the best of both worlds.

How to Get to McCall

Despite its remote mountain vibes, McCall is just a 2.5-hour drive from Boise, Idaho. Boise International Airport is a great entry point for visitors. Whether you hop on a shuttle bus, or rent a car, the scenic drive is half the adventure. Highway 55 ascends from Boise’s arid sagebrush-covered hills up to Ponderosa pine-filled forests. The drive parallels the Payette River, winding through the canyon next to world-class whitewater; the perfect teaser for future whitewater adventures. 

Whether you’re escaping city life for a few days or springboarding into a rafting trip on the Main Salmon, McCall is more than just a pitstop; it’s a premier summer destination. Stay a while to enjoy the town’s charming downtown and incredible access to the outdoors.