Home › Idaho › Upper Payette Lake Campground
Upper Payette Lake Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — MCCALL · Idaho · Payette National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Payette National Forest |
| Location | MCCALL · Idaho · Payette National Forest · 45.12250, -116.02889 · Map |
| Sites | 21 public sites counted from the federal listing — 19 standard nonelectric; 2 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 21 sites Water hookups at 0 of 21 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 21 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 21 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 23 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 208-634-0400 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails.
Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Recreation Upper Payette Lake is a no-wake lake that offers great fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The paved, mile-long Shoreline Trail begins in the campground and several additional hiking and biking trails begin just across the road from the entrance.
Facilities The campground offers two group sites that can accommodate up to 20 and 30 guests. Several additional single and double-family sites are available as well. All sites are accessible; some have lake views and some have lake access.
Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A boat ramp, day-use site and several paved pathways are located in the campground. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Natural Features The lake is situated at the foot of the Salmon River Mountains at an approximate elevation of 5,900 feet. Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine forest the site, providing partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant. Summer days are typically warm and nights are cool.
Directions, from the listing
From McCall, Idaho, take Highway 55 north to Warren Wagon Road/Forest Highway 21. Turn right and continue for 16 miles to gravel Forest Road 495 and follow for a mile into the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
8 mi straight-line · MCCALL IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceHazard Lake
8 mi straight-line · IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBurgdorf Guard Station
12 mi straight-line · IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBurgdorf
12 mi straight-line · IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceJeanette
12 mi straight-line · Idaho
Trip Card — Upper Payette Lake Campground
MCCALL · Idaho · Payette National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | MCCALL · Idaho · Payette National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 21 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234030 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.