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Best Dispersed Camping near McCall, ID

29 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Dispersed camping near McCall, Idaho occurs primarily on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands surrounding the region's lakes and waterways. Free camping opportunities exist at Little Payette Lake, Upper Payette Lake, Lost Valley Reservoir, and several other dispersed areas like Warren Wagon Road, Brundage Reservoir, and Hazard Creek. Most sites consist of primitive pullouts along forest roads with minimal or no designated boundaries between camping spots.

Many access roads require careful navigation, especially those leading to remote sites like Brundage Reservoir and Upper Payette Lake. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching most dispersed camping areas. Site amenities vary significantly - Lost Valley Reservoir includes vault toilets and trash collection, while most other areas like Little Payette Lake offer no facilities whatsoever. Fire restrictions are common during summer months. Mosquitoes present a significant challenge from June through August, particularly at dusk and dawn. Visitors should bring all necessary supplies including water, as most sites lack potable sources.

These dispersed camping areas provide excellent access to outdoor recreation including fishing, paddling, and hiking. Upper Payette Lake remains particularly noteworthy for its seclusion and scenic value. One camper noted, "If you want beauty and seclusion, skip McCall and head to Upper Payette," highlighting its multiple bathroom facilities and stunning water views. Little Payette Lake offers proximity to McCall with sites typically just minutes from town. Another visitor mentioned, "It was a painless and free site only a few minutes from downtown McCall," making it popular as an alternative when state park campgrounds fill up. Brundage Reservoir provides exceptional solitude, with one camper reporting, "So quiet, love paddle boarding and being the only one on the lake."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near McCall, Idaho (30)

    1. Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

    5 Reviews
    McCall, ID
    5 miles
    Website

    "Found a nice large flat area for 2 nights. Lots of mosquitoes."

    2. Lake Louie Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Spink, ID
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 634-0700

    "Once you reach the lake it is stunning. We did this hike in July in the evening time. There was plenty of shade and a cool breeze that made it enjoyable."

    3. Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    7 Reviews
    New Meadows, ID
    17 miles
    Website

    "After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake."

    "Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied. The road is tight but you can get a fifth wheeler in."

    4. Warren Wagon Rd

    1 Review
    McCall, ID
    10 miles

    "Lake is just down the road, but you have quick, short walking access to river & creek. It does get busy on the weekends"

    5. Brundage Resivour Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    New Meadows, ID
    11 miles

    "So quiet, love paddle boarding and being the only one on the lake. Only one other camper on the weekend in a 7 site dispersed camping area Each spot in its own area. One big area for group."

    6. Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    1 Review
    Spink, ID
    12 miles
    Website

    "It’s really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in. That being said, this place is beautiful."

    7. Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Payette National Forest, ID
    17 miles
    Website

    "But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road. We ended up at the last spot on the road right before the interpretive trail at the end. This spot was tucked into the trees."

    "One of the few dispersed areas I’ve visited with multiple bathrooms. Stunning views on the calm water. Bring your SUP or kayak, you’ll want to be on the water!"

    8. Goose Lake Camping Area

    1 Review
    New Meadows, ID
    13 miles

    "awesome undeveloped camp sites spaced out along the lake great place to camp and enjoy some mountain lake trout over a fire along with the cool crisp air at night"

    9. Black Lee Dispersed Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Payette National Forest, ID
    10 miles
    Website

    10. Hazard Creek Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Pollock, ID
    21 miles

    "Nice flat spot with a stone fire ring. Hazard creek nearby isn't too loud and sounds great. Not much firewood is around as its all been picked already."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near McCall, ID

33 Photos of 30 McCall Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near McCall, ID

29 Reviews of 30 McCall Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Herrick Reservoir Access

    Just ok

    Camping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.

  • Austin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2021

    Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

    Dispersed Near McCall at Little Payette Lake

    Dirt road turn-off from Lick Creek Road.  4-5 pullouts for cars/RVs.  A few hundred years from the lake, but there is not really lake access.  Mosquitoes were pretty prevalent in early august.  No fires were allowed due to wildfire restrictions.

    All said, it was a painless & free site only a few minutes from downtown McCall, ID.  Good alternative to when the state park fills up

  • Marley F.
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Fiddle Creek Recreation Site

    Nice Spot

    My husband and I were looking for a quick spot to camp and found this right off the highway, it was perfect for a last minute camping. There’s a few more spots off the highway. We loved that it was right on the river, too. Pretty easy access, but if you have a longer trailer than I would suggest going in the first turn out, because the second one is tight.

  • Hannah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Loon Lake

    Amazing views and history!

    This campground is a hike-in area unless you visit via dirt bikes, mountain bikes or horses. It is 4.4 miles to Loon Lake from the Chinook Campground.Chinook is the last place you can get water and use a pit toilet before going on the hike. Follow the Loon Lake Loop trail to get to the lake. It is likely you may be the only person camping there, but you will see people hiking in to visit the plane wreckage of a B-23 Dragon Bomber which crashed on the other side of the lake in 1943. The plane can be difficult to find as you have to bushwack to get to it. I did find a little trail that brought me out, but it is often hard to find. We hiked along the right side of the lake, then bushwacked to the left, forded a creek, and was able to find the plane. I have heard and red that you can find the plane by going around an unmaintained forest service trail on the left side of the lake as well. If you make it this far I encourage you to find the plane and read the informational signs no matter what. The story is incredible! While it is longer to hike back out on the rest of the loop, the trail is completely different than coming in and provides amazing views of the Secesh river. Don't expect any amenities when camping at Loon Lake. This spot is truly for those interested in packing in and packing out what they want to use in a remote setting.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful Sunsets on a mountain lake.

    Once you turn off Hywy 95 on to Lost Valley Reservoir Road (about 16 miles North of Council), you will reach a Y in the well kept gravel road. If you turn left, you will come to Cold Spring Campground. There are RV/trailer and tent sites available for a small daily fee. There are campfire sites, hiking trails, toilets and water from a hand pump. You will need to pack out your own garbage as there are no dumpsters. Not a bad place but you are still about 1/2 mile away from the Lost Valley Reservoir.

    If you return to the Lost Valley Reservoir road, you can continue on to the Reservoir. After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake. A few sites have a common outhouse with no running water. Along this side of the lake there is also a boat launch area, but I believe this is a 'No Wake Lake'. Check local burn bans, and pack your garbage out.

    The road continues along the lake edge and over a small dam. There are several small, dirt access roads that lead to the lakes edge with camping sites at the end of each. Several roads are VERY rough and have deep ruts in them, and I personally wouldn't risk driving them without a vehicle that has plenty of clearance.

    The lake is small and as the summer progresses and water is drained from the reservoir, it shrinks. I prefer camping here until about the 1st or 2nd week of August. After this, the water levels drop drastically and green algae begins to accumulate around the lakes edge. There are small perch for fishing, but I did not catch any big enough to keep. We camped here in mid-July this year and had a campfire each night.

    Beautiful views, great hiking, refreshing water, and several families had ATV's. Huckleberries are usually ripe 1st/2nd weeks of August. Very relaxing. Enjoy.

  • Amanda P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Hells Canyon Overlook Near Saddle Creek - Dispersed Site

    A wonderful escape

    Tons of changes in terrain but the drive is not for the faint of heart. Be ready to share space with free roaming mountain cattle. Other than a forest service vehicle and maybe 2 others it was just us up there! We came by way of Imanha.

  • Shay S.
    May. 1, 2024

    Short's Bar Recreation Area

    Busy

    This camp site was popping with people who are definitely staying a while. These people let us camp near them but idk if they’d let us stay that long. Good for one night! Neighbors kind of loud but sooo pretty by the river!!! Easy to get in and out. Porta potty’s available

  • Will M.
    Sep. 9, 2021

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Great campgrounds tucked away

    Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied. The road is tight but you can get a fifth wheeler in. Every spot looks very easy backing in. No sharp corners, no sacrifices were made in order to back in.

  • Imerie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

    To many mesquitoes

    Horrible mesquitoes. We may be packing up to leave early. Beautiful space though. Next to road so you do have that noise. It is a traveled road so about every 10 mins a car drives by. Sloped ground so make sure you can level all your things. Pros——- super close to McCall, like 6mins drive time. Beautiful. Dead end. Huge trees. Cons——- Mosquitoes……. Thousands. Road noise. Can’t access lake from here to many logs. Did I mention the 🦟 Mosquitoes!??

Guide to McCall

Dispersed camping areas near McCall, Idaho offer accessible alternatives to formal campgrounds in the Payette National Forest. Located at elevations between 5,000-7,500 feet, these primitive sites experience temperature drops into the 30s even during summer nights. Several roads leading to dispersed camping areas become challenging after rain, requiring careful navigation during spring melt or following summer thunderstorms.

What to do

Paddleboarding on quiet waters: Brundage Reservoir provides exceptional conditions for paddle sports with minimal boat traffic. "So quiet, love paddle boarding and being the only one on the lake. Only one other camper on the weekend in a 7 site dispersed camping area," reports one visitor to Brundage Resivour Dispersed Camping.

Fishing for mountain trout: Several lakes contain stocked and native trout populations accessible without specialized equipment. At Goose Lake Camping Area, campers can "enjoy some mountain lake trout over a fire along with the cool crisp air at night."

Hiking nearby mountain trails: The area offers numerous day hiking options ranging from easy lakeside walks to challenging mountain ascents. Around Lake Louie, one camper noted, "Challenging hike in with packs but very doable. Once you reach the lake it is stunning. We did this hike in July in the evening time."

What campers like

Riverside camping access: Multiple sites provide direct creek or river access for cooling off during hot summer days. At Hazard Creek Dispersed Camping, campers enjoy "Nice flat spot with a stone fire ring. Hazard creek nearby isn't too loud and sounds great."

Seclusion close to town: Warren Wagon Road camping areas balance wilderness feel with convenient access to McCall's amenities. One visitor reported, "We love this spot. We ended up taking 3spot because we had a group with us. Only Mosquitoes at dusk and dawn. Lake is just down the road, but you have quick, short walking access to river & creek."

Fall camping benefits: October brings decreased crowds and comfortable conditions. A visitor at Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area experienced this: "We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in October. There were many spots available along the road leading up to this site. But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road."

What you should know

Mosquito prevalence varies by site: Insect intensity fluctuates across locations and seasons. At Little Payette Lake, a visitor warned, "Horrible mesquitoes. We may be packing up to leave early. Beautiful space though."

Site availability patterns: Weekends see significantly higher usage rates than weekdays, especially during July and August. At Warren Wagon Road camping areas, a camper observed, "It does get busy on the weekends."

Variable road conditions: Access difficulties increase with distance from main roads. For free camping near McCall, Idaho, approach routes like those to Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area may require higher clearance vehicles after wet weather.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with natural features: Creeks provide both recreation and white noise for sleeping. Around Lost Valley Reservoir, families found that "Cool trails and nearby water keep the kids occupied."

Hammock-friendly areas: Many wooded dispersed camping sites accommodate hammock setups. At Lake Louie, a visitor recommended, "Hammocking is ideal due to the close clumping of trees all around the lake."

Spacing between campsites: Some areas offer more privacy than others. Lost Valley Reservoir provides a mix: "There is a lot of space in each camp. Not much land in between each camp so be courteous."

Tips from RVers

Backing considerations: Most dispersed areas require basic backing skills but lack extreme challenges. At Lost Valley Reservoir, an RVer noted, "Every spot looks very easy backing in. No sharp corners, no sacrifices were made in order to back in."

Internet connectivity options: Some remote locations support satellite internet for work-from-camp setups. Upper Payette Lake campers successfully used this technology: "We set up Starlink so we could work on Friday and had no issues with the connection."

Site levelness varies: Many free camping areas near McCall, Idaho require leveling equipment. Little Payette Lake campers caution about "Sloped ground so make sure you can level all your things."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near McCall, Idaho?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near McCall. Little Payette Lake (Dispersed) offers camping about 6 minutes from town with pull-outs for cars/RVs a few hundred yards from the lake. The area features dirt road access off Lick Creek Road. Another option is Fiddle Creek Recreation Site, which provides spots right off the highway with riverside locations, making it perfect for last-minute camping trips. Look also for dispersed sites along forest service roads surrounding McCall, particularly in the Payette National Forest. Most sites have a 14-day stay limit, though some may restrict stays to 10 days. Always check current fire restrictions and be prepared for variable road conditions, especially on more remote access routes.

Is there a fee for dispersed camping in McCall, Idaho?

Most dispersed camping areas around McCall are free to use. Herrick Reservoir Access offers free camping with a 10-day limit, though be aware it's surrounded by private land with clear signage. Similarly, Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area provides free sites tucked into the trees near water. While most dispersed sites have no fees, some nearby developed campgrounds like Cold Spring Campground (accessible from Lost Valley Reservoir Road) do charge small daily fees for added amenities. Always check for any recent policy changes when planning your trip, as fee structures can change seasonally or annually.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around McCall?

Dispersed camping around McCall typically offers minimal amenities. East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area provides basic pit toilets and fire rings, with sites overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. Similarly, Short's Bar Recreation Area offers porta-potties and riverside locations. Most dispersed sites feature natural surroundings rather than facilities - expect to find clearings for tents/vehicles and sometimes established fire rings, but no running water, electricity, or trash service. Cell service is typically spotty or nonexistent. Pack everything you need, including water, and be prepared to pack out all trash. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, so always check current regulations before planning to have a campfire.

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