219 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near McCall, Idaho spans developed campgrounds with electric hookups and showers to free dispersed sites, covering options from lakefront tent camping to full-service RV parks. The Peninsula Campground within the park provides developed sites with amenities including showers, electric hookups, and drinking water, while Little Payette Lake offers free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Several private facilities like McCall RV Resort and Black Bear RV Park accommodate RVs and offer cabin options for visitors preferring additional comfort, with most locations providing convenient access to both lakefront activities and downtown services.
Road conditions and site accessibility vary significantly throughout the McCall area, particularly during seasonal transitions. Many campgrounds operate primarily between Memorial Day and Labor Day when weather conditions are most favorable. "This park is great to explore outdoors, not just hang around the camp," noted one visitor about Ponderosa State Park. Higher elevation dispersed sites may remain inaccessible until late spring due to snowmelt, while developed campgrounds typically maintain better access throughout their operational seasons. Visitors planning trips during peak summer months should secure reservations well in advance, as lakeside locations fill quickly, especially on holiday weekends.
McCall's lakeside campgrounds offer excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating during summer months. Campers report particularly high satisfaction with Peninsula Campground's proximity to hiking trails and beaches within Ponderosa State Park. A visitor commented that "the smell of the Ponderosa trees fills the entire campground" – highlighting the distinctive sensory experience that attracts many to the area. While developed campgrounds offer convenient amenities and programmed activities, dispersed sites around Little Payette Lake provide more solitude but fewer facilities. The region's campgrounds near McCall accommodate diverse camping styles, from tent campers seeking natural settings to RV travelers requiring hookups. Winter visitors can find year-round operations at select sites like McCall RV Resort, allowing access to seasonal activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing within the park system.
"Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."
"A prime spot to camp in McCall. Plan ahead and book early. Great campsites with full hook ups and amenities."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We adore this spot for so many reasons—proximity to adorable McCall but removed enough to feel remote, trees, hiking along the water, close encounters with the fauna kind :) do yourself a favor and visit"
"Close to McCall!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Close to McCall,several pull-thrus; even indoor hot tubs! No restaurant but you’ll be close to many great ones"
"We reserved a spot here to prepare for a rafting trip we had won from the McCall WinterFest. We are so glad we did!!! This place ROCKS!"
from $95 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location and quiet even though right off 55. Sites are fairly close together. Well run park."
from $39 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Nice being able to camp by the lake. Can be pretty crowded, but easier to find a spot out here than in McCall."
"After driving around Lake Cascade searching for a campsite with no luck, most campgrounds were either full or just weren't our vibe, we stumbled upon Sugarloaf Campground around 5:00 p.m."
"We drove through there in April so there was still snow but the location for summer is great. Near the lake, near town, near the mountains. "
"Campsite is just outside of town next to the lake. Good little spot to pull up. We stayed one night and paid $15."
"The campsites were large and there was access to the lake. The only space left for us was the one right in the front near the entrance but it was great!"
"This small lakeside campground captured our hearts. Who could resist it, with wide open lakefront views like these? A easy launch for kayaks by day, and a sunset view from the campfire by night."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We just did a 2400 mile trip from Utah to Glacier NP and down through Idaho stopping at 10 campgrounds along the way. What a fun place to stay here, the camp host (Jill) was the sweetest lady ever!"
"There’s a ton of access to hikes and different places around the lake. Hiking up to granite mountain lookout was a highlight."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability
Guide7 sites packed in pretty tight. Spectacular views out over Hells Canyon. Only one other group there. Pit toilet was clean and well stocked. 4 miles from Hat Creek Point (day use only). No water available.
GuideNice spot along river with lots of shade. Nice sites, clean and well maintained restrooms w showers. 6kW EV charger by river in day use area - one of the few along the Hells Canyon scenic byway.
ScoutShe was talking about they discriminated against anybody with pets. What camp or what person in Idaho doesn’t have a pet. This is the most pathetic campground I’ve ever seen.
GuideGreat spot! It was easy in, set up kinda like a camp site where there are actual open spaces for campers and firepits. Extremely quiet, other campers, but far enough I didn't see our hear them.
TravelerI’d give 4.5 stars if possible. Great location to break up the trip between Boise and Lewiston.
Lots of fun stuff to do: good swimming beach with the ability to check out canoes and kayaks (life jackets available for loan was a big deal since our 7&9 year olds forgot to pack theirs), sand volleyball, big bonfire ring near the beach, benches and picnic tables along the water access, lots of access to fishing within walking distance. Big rocks along the water that our daughter really enjoyed scrambling along, and we laid across them to watch the meteor shower.
Sites are big and easy to park our 36’ camper, easy check in, cute little store with firewood for sale. Staff were courteous and helpful.
Bathroom was clean, we didn’t use the shower.
The only thing I could complain about is that our picnic table was not in the best shape, but we swapped out for our neighbor’s since the site showed as available for the only night we were going to stay.
ScoutSmall campground on the river. Flat parking and good facility. Road noise is significant.
ScoutLots of first-come-first-served campsites. We showed up on a Tuesday early and there were tons of spots available. Vault toilets were clean. Drinking water was some of the best we've had. No cell service for Verizon. Road up to the campground is gravel washboard for about 3.5 miles - slow going, but ultimately worth it.
Reservoir was decent. Very weedy, and unless you take the concrete boat ramp, it is all thick mud. Water seemed clean though, and was nice and cool.
Lots of cows around - can definitely hear them early in the morning.
Nice place to camp - would stay again.
GuideWe came up to escape the 105 temps in Boise. Shoreline was not at capacity. Quiet couple of days. Paved roads and sites. Plenty of space between sites. Friendly site hosts. Beautiful lake with a significant boat launch area
GuideThere are several back in and pull thru spots for campers. There’s also a tent only spot. Clean vault toilet. Disagree with the review stating limited river access- there are trails everywhere leading to it. Clean, fire pits. Gravel road is washboard most of the way in, but not bad and don’t need 4wd. I’m sure the camp host was sick of people speeding in as I saw plenty of idiots speeding thru, cussing loudly, ripping dirt bikes thru. That’s why the 4 stars- there were a lot of people everywhere and many were annoying. Wish it were less popular.
Camping near McCall, Idaho offers outdoor recreation options across varied terrain from 5,000 feet elevation to forested alpine settings. The primary camping season runs Memorial Day through September, though weather can fluctuate significantly with occasional freezing temperatures even in late spring. Access to most sites requires advance planning as the most popular locations fill quickly.
Hiking to waterfalls: Last Chance Campground provides access to Goose Creek Falls trail. "The hike up the river to the falls is one of the better short hikes in the area but there is evidence of bears," notes Tom K. The well-designed 2.8-mile trail features boardwalks over muddy sections.
Mountain biking: Brundage Reservoir Camping Area offers proximity to Brundage Mountain Resort's lift-accessed trails. "We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort," reports Franklin R.
Winter recreation: Peninsula Campground at Ponderosa State Park maintains seasonal activities when other areas close. "In the winter, the park offers great snowshoe trails, and groomed trails for cross-country skiing and skate skiing," explains Hannah C.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points around Lake Cascade provide angling options. "For any fisherman, as you leave the park go right about 2 miles to a parking area for Brown Pond. I caught my limit in 20 minutes, and earthworms hanging two feet down from a bobber is the ticket," advises a visitor to McCall RV Resort.
Privacy levels: Campgrounds near McCall vary significantly in spacing and seclusion. "The spots are a little close but we never were bothered by it. If we had dogs it may have been a little more of a nuisance," notes a Peninsula Campground visitor. Meanwhile, sites at Last Chance Campground offer "large sites, beautiful and huge Ponderosa pines, and very clean and odorless vault toilets," according to Gretchen B.
Lake views: Sugarloaf Campground offers prime waterfront positioning. "We tent camped here in July 2018. Sugarloaf is off by itself at the end of the lake, so it's a little more laid back there. Our group simply set our in the morning and camped out on the beach with our gear," shares Tara L.
Wildlife sightings: Campers report diverse animal encounters at Lake Cascade State Park. "We even had 3 baby foxes visit our camp one evening. I could see it getting crowded on weekends, but I had this all to myself on a Monday and Tuesday," reports Simran D. Bird watchers can spot "multiple ospreys, pelicans, and mountain bluebirds," according to another visitor.
Mosquito preparation: Many areas around McCall require insect protection, particularly near water. At Little Payette Lake, "LOTS of bugs" makes insect repellent essential according to Sierra J. Another camper noted, "Horrible mesquitoes. We may be packing up to leave early. Beautiful space though."
Reservation requirements: Black Bear RV Park fills quickly in summer months. "Nice park and facilities. Very friendly check-in. Small store in park. Clean and well kept grounds," notes Richard H. Most developed campgrounds require reservations weeks in advance for summer stays.
Weather fluctuations: Temperature variations can be extreme, even during peak season. "Frozen temperature at night (05/24/19) but fabulous view and I love to go for camping to Lake Cascade State Park," reports Sujith A. Pack layers even for summer visits.
Campfire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans affect many dispersed sites. "No fires were allowed due to wildfire restrictions. All said, it was a painless & free site only a few minutes from downtown McCall, ID," explains Austin C. about Little Payette Lake.
Kid-friendly beaches: Amanita Campground provides direct water access for children. "The only positive was the direct beach access for our kids to play while we were up at the campsite. The beach is extensive and fairly clean," shares Jennifer D.
Quiet time enforcement: Camp host presence varies between locations. "The rangers do not enforce the quiet hour rule and you get woken up in the middle of the night by screaming kids," notes a Peninsula Campground visitor. Consider midweek stays for quieter conditions.
Winter family options: Ponderosa State Park maintains year-round activities. "PSP is a great place to stay or spend a day at. I like to go to PSP during the 'off-season' to avoid the crowds. Heading out in the winter, there are great snowshoeing and Nordic skiing options," suggests Celine K.
Proximity to town services: Several campgrounds allow quick access to McCall amenities. "Perfect weekend away from Boise... great that if your camp food gets tired, McCall is only 15 minutes away for a burger and beer!" shares Bethany W. about Last Chance Campground.
Amenity considerations: McCall RV Resort offers unique features not found at other area campgrounds. "The indoor pool and spa and steam room made this my favorite park so far on our journey," reports a visitor. The resort remains open year-round with full hookups.
Leveling challenges: Dispersed camping requires preparation for uneven terrain. At Little Payette Lake, campers should "make sure you can level all your things," recommends Imerie T. Many free sites around McCall have sloped ground requiring leveling blocks.
Guided assistance: Some private parks provide personalized arrival help. "Escorted to our spot and helped us back in. Cable as well. We had bad weather, but the site, 115, felt pretty isolated," shares JoAnn L. about McCall RV Resort.
Mixed-use considerations: Chalet RV Park accommodates both RVs and tent campers. "This is a family friendly campground that is convenient to Donnelly and Cascade areas. AT&T 3bars LTE service as well as free wifi make communication and planning easy," notes Jennifer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tent camping available in McCall, Idaho and what sites are recommended?
Tent camping is readily available throughout the McCall area with several excellent options. Secesh Horse Camp offers a unique historical tent camping experience with hitching rails for equestrians. The scenic drive to reach it via Lick Creek Road adds to the adventure. For a more primitive experience, Little Payette Lake (Dispersed) provides tent sites in a beautiful setting just 6 minutes from McCall, though be prepared for mosquitoes and some road noise. The ground can be sloped, so bringing leveling equipment is recommended. Both locations offer distinctive camping experiences while keeping you close to McCall's amenities and outdoor activities.
What are the most popular camping spots around McCall for weekend trips?
Weekend warriors flock to several key camping spots around McCall. McCall RV Resort - Northfolk Lodge offers conveniences like indoor hot tubs and proximity to McCall's restaurants, making it ideal for those wanting amenities. For water enthusiasts, Shorts Bar Recreation Site provides riverside camping with basic facilities and easy water access—perfect for spontaneous weekend trips. Both locations fill quickly on summer weekends, so arriving early Friday or making reservations where available is recommended. The most popular spots combine accessibility (under 30 minutes from McCall), natural beauty, and recreational opportunities like hiking, fishing, or paddling to make the most of a weekend escape.
Where are the best campgrounds in McCall, Idaho?
McCall offers exceptional camping options for all preferences. Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park stands out as a premier destination with full hookups, beach access, and beautiful hiking trails. Its proximity to downtown McCall makes it perfect for families wanting convenience without sacrificing natural beauty. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Upper Payette Lake Campground provides excellent shoreline trails and opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and canoeing about 20 miles from McCall at 6,000 feet elevation. Both campgrounds require advance reservations during peak season. McCall's best campgrounds typically feature pine-shaded sites, access to water recreation, and proximity to town amenities.
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