# Payette Lake

> Payette Lake, on the edge of McCall, was shaped by glaciers. It sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,520 m), covers roughly 5,330 acres (22 km²) and…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/payette-lake-mccall/

A deep alpine lake beside the town of McCall, ringed by pine forest and public beaches. Rent a kayak or walk the lakeshore paths in summer; in winter the town hosts a snow festival.

Payette Lake, on the edge of McCall, was shaped by glaciers. It sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet (1,520 m), covers roughly 5,330 acres (22 km²) and is up to 392 feet (120 m) deep. Fishing, swimming and boating are popular, and several sandy beaches invite you to linger. Ponderosa State Park occupies a peninsula of more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) with forest, a campground and trails.

In summer the shoreline and beaches are ideal for a relaxed day, by kayak or on foot. In winter McCall hosts the Winter Carnival, which traces its origins to a sports festival in 1924; book lodging and campsites early then. McCall lies in southwestern Idaho, about 105 miles (170 km) by road north of Boise.

- **Nearest town:** McCall, ID
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 44.9100, -116.0990

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and October. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Visit Idaho: Payette Lake](https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/parks-recreation/payette-lake/)
- [Visit McCall: Winter Carnival History](https://visitmccall.org/events/winter-carnival/carnival-history/)

## Nearby

- [Hells Canyon Overlook](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b8-hells-canyon-overlook/) – 40 mi
- [Wallowa Lake](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b8-wallowa-lake/) – 60 mi
- [Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains](https://camping-spirit.com/places/stanley-idaho/) – 74 mi
- [Redfish Lake](https://camping-spirit.com/places/redfish-lake/) – 79 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Payette Lake?

Payette Lake is in McCall, ID, at GPS 44.9100, -116.0990. It is about 10 mi from New Meadows.

### Can you camp near Payette Lake?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is McCall RV Resort, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Payette Lake?

Places worth a stop nearby: Hells Canyon Overlook (40 mi), Wallowa Lake (60 mi), Stanley and the Sawtooth Mountains (74 mi) and Redfish Lake (79 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Payette Lake?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)