Cabin camping is an amazing way to experience Payette National Forest, while still enjoying a little rustic luxury. Find the best information on cabins near Payette National Forest, including photos, reviews, and tips. Each cabin offers quick access to one or more of Payette National Forest's most popular destinations.
Ponderosa State Park offers every kind of overnight experience imaginable with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins for small or large groups, amid a beyond-scenic mountain setting next to Payette Lake. There’s always more to explore! Learn more about all that Ponderosa State Park offers.
Beautiful Payette Lake surrounds the Peninsula Unit and is the shoreline of the North Beach Unit of the park, located in the heart of one of Idaho’s most popular year-round destinations. Hike and bike on your own or with a guide, listen to a park naturalist in the evening at the amphitheater or walk with them on one of the trails. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program in the summer months. Visitors can meander the North Fork of the Payette River in a canoe or kayak (rentals available), Nordic ski on groomed trails, snowshoe on designated trails, or simply sit on the front porch of a park cabin and enjoy the spectacular view.
Whether you enjoy cooking in a Dutch oven at a primitive camp site or an indoor stove in the comfort of a deluxe, lakeview cabin, Ponderosa State Park presents plentiful overnight experiences with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins.
$15 - $40 / night
Warm Lake Campground is near the eastern shore of beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. A developed swim beach is available less than a quarter-mile away, at Warm Lake Lodge. Billy Rice Swim Beach is just over a mile from the campground, on the north side of the lake. The area offers a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located at nearby Shoreline Campground. The surrounding area offers great hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, and hunting. The WeWuKiye (Wa Wu Kia) Trail No. 252 was recently built and can be accessed at Shoreline Campground. It is popular for hiking and mountain biking. For off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offers 20 miles of trails for all riding levels, with staging areas within the campground and up the road at Shoreline Campground.
The campground is situated in a scenic forest of towering, old-growth ponderosa pine, which provides partial shade in the campground. Chipmunk Creek runs alongside the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife including bears, deer, elk, fox, grouse, eagles, osprey, grosbeaks, whooping cranes and otters, lives around the lake.
Warm Lake Lodge is located across the road from the campground and has a restaurant and small store with camping and fishing essentials.
$15 - $34 / night
$42 - $52 / night
Shoreline Campground is located just across the road from beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. Billy Rice Swim Beach is nearby, offering a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located just across the road from the campground. The surrounding area offers great hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, and hunting. The WeWuKiye (Wa Wu Kia) Trail No. 252 is popular among hikers and mountain bikers. It was recently built and can be accessed at the campground's entrance. For off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offers 20 miles of trails for all riding levels, with staging areas within the campground and at Warm Lake Campground just down the road.
The campground is situated in a mixed-growth lodgepole pine forest, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant in the area. A variety of wildlife including bears, deer, elk, fox, grouse, eagles, osprey, grosbeaks, whooping cranes and otters, lives around the lake.
$15 - $50 / night
Seasonal RV Park for 55 and up campers. Full hookups.
$10 - $50 / night
This campground features nine sites along the North Fork of Lake Fork Creek. All sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. 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.
This is a beautiful campground and a great base camp for adventure. From the campground, trails head east, branching north and south into pristine mountain areas: East Fork Lake Fork Creek Trail #104, Lake Fork First Bridge Trail #339, and Paddy Flat/Lake Fork Creek Trail #103. There are many points of interest and trailheads if you continue along Lick Creek Road. Nearby is Slick Rock-Climbing area, a stunning exposed granite wall. Popular hiking areas include, Box Lake, Snowslide Lake, and Duck Lake. Drive to Lick Creek Summit (6,879 ft.) for 360-degree views of the Salmon River Mountains.
Forested campground near a creek at approximately 5,329 feet elevation.
$15 / night
An oasis of nature awaits with our spacious RV sites complete with electric, septic, water, and WiFi. Our mature trees provide just the right amount of shade on those hot summer days. Amenities include picnic table, fire pits, showers/restrooms, and clubhouse with pool table. We even have fish cleaning stations for your catch of the day.
Or step into one of our newly renovated lodge rooms that are inspired by nature yet complete with today’s modern luxuries. Featuring LED fireplace, smart tv, mini-fridge, coffee maker, all in a spacious setting with large table for working and eating.
Or grab one of our two-bedroom suites complete with a full-kitchen.
$40 / night
The Paddy Flat Cabins East and West are undergoing renovation in Summer 2024, and we hope to make these units available for public use in 2025. The Paddy Flat Guard Station is located in the Payette National Forest of central Idaho. Guests enjoy the remote area for its hunting opportunities and abundance of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-highway vehicle roads and trails. Abundant streams and numerous alpine lakes within travel distance offer fantastic fishing opportunities. The Paddy Flat Cabin East provides sleeping quarters four up to 4 persons. This cabin is also allowed up to two single-family tents outside.
The Paddy Flat Guard Station serves as an excellent jumping-off point for adventures via horseback, motorcycle, ATV or hiking. Numerous trailheads within a few miles allow access to alpine lakes for fishing, meadows for watching birds and wildlife, as well as peaks ranging as high as 8,681 foot elevation for excellent views of the South Fork of the Salmon River drainage.
This Guard Station sits at an elevation of 5,250 feet and is situated within a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. The Payette National Forest contains some of Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. Located in west-central Idaho, north of Boise, the 2.2 million-acre forest extends 100 miles west to east, from Hells Canyon to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and 70 miles north to south, from the Salmon River to the Weiser River.
While the Paddy Flat Guard Station is located within some of the most scenic forest areas of Idaho, you may find a desire to visit "civilization" during your visit. If you hanker for a pizza, hot lunch or subway sandwich, the town of Donnelly is just a bit of back-tracking away. While you are there, take some time to explore the historic town of Roseberry or take the ten mile drive to Gold Forks Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in their pools. While McCall is a bit further of a drive north, a walk through downtown is always a fun way to while away the afternoon. Spend some time on the waterfront, take in a local museum, visit Ponderosa State Park, or take a tour through the McCall Fish Hatchery.
$100 / night
Scout
Close to McCall,several pull-thrus; even indoor hot tubs! No restaurant but you’ll be close to many great ones
Legend
Beautiful log cabin in the mountains of Idaho, located in Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest, so astonishing views are plentiful. There is no cell service here, so prepare for the trip ahead, print out your maps to the station, otherwise getting lost on your way here is a very likely possibility. BYO drinking water, headlamps and sense of adventure. Pack out what you pack in..must respect the power of nature.
Near by attractions are Florence which is a well known location for gold mining in days past, nice place to hike and explore the area’s history.
Legend
Warm Lake Campground
Quite a drive to this beautiful lake but apparently it is well liked by locals because it was crowded!
The water is crystal clear and fishing is popular. There is a trail that goes completely around the lake but we turned back when a snake crossed our path.
There is a tent area, rental cabins and a camper area. I had no signal, bring a map.
The forest fires were further into the forest but the smoke haze was ever present.
LegendWarm Lake Is BEAUTIFUL! Peaceful, dark and REMOTE.
Quite a drive to this beautiful lake but apparently it is well liked by locals because it was crowded! People fishing everywhere, people all around the lodge, trail and beach.
The water is crystal clear and fishing is popular. There is a trail that goes completely around the lake but we turned back when a snake crossed our path.
There are several options to include a group camping area, a shoreline primitive area, rental cabins and a Rec vehicle area. The lodge offers pretty much everything you could need, but considering how busy they are I would try to bring what I needed.
GuideThis place is nice but no campfires allowed which my boys love to do. However, they have swimming pool, jacuzzi, and free popcorn all day!
LegendThis campsite is located east of Cascade Lake and Donnelly, Idaho. It's a scenic road to get there. The camsite we were in was dry camping with no hook-ups. The camping pad for our 27' Travel Trailer was nice and level. Each campsite had a picnic table and a firepit. There are some nice hiking trails in the vicinity. Mountain biking and horse riding is acceptable there as well. Since we had kayaks, we had a short drive to the boat ramp. There is excellent trout fishing. There is a small swim beach near the Warm Lake Lodge and Restaurant, near where the cabins are. All in all, a great stay, away from the city :-) It's a nice peaceful setting.
TravelerGreat places to hike, kayak, swim, or go boating. After 6pm motorized boats are not allowed on the water. It has cabins as well as tent sites. Not very secluded, to many people for my liking so if you dont want neighbors try another place. It does haave a little store which is nice.
Guide
Though it can be busy, there is plenty to do to get away from everyone. The big pines are amazing, especially if you get up late at night when the meteor showers happen. This site has full amenities.
ScoutPonderosa 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. Bathrooms are close by. If you don't mind be a little tight with campsites, would highly recommend.
LegendPonderosa State Park (PSP) receives more visitors than any other state park in Idaho. It is on a peninsula that juts into Payette Lake. In the summer you will find vast amounts of huckleberries, wonderful swimming, and many deer. Be sure to check out the hiking trails and visit the Lily Marsh, Meadow Marsh, and Osprey Point. In the winter, the park offers great snowshoe trails, and groomed trails for cross-country skiing and skate skiing.
ScoutThis is probably one of the busiest campgrounds in Idaho. And for a reason. Access to trails and water is unbeatable. The grounds are gorgeous. And you can stay in the woods or toodle into town and get some coffee or ice cream.
If you pick your site well, you can have the convenience of a campground but feel a bit more secluded. We usually boondock but we'll come into civilization for this place.
Make sure you reserve 9 months in advance. This place fills up. We come every year and love it!
GuidePonderosa in McCall is a massive state park complex. There are hundreds of trailer and tent camping sites. The main campground to the right of the main gate is very busy but is very close to the day use beach. the beach and day use area is great and the views of payette lake are worth it. follow the roads or hiking trails up toward the north end of the lake and there are awesome cliffs to look over the entire area as well as some really good huckleberry picking, if you know where to go.
RangerGreat camp site, the trees are absolutely beautiful! Only negative about this camp site is it is very large and there is not much privacy, however McCall is a very cute town, and a very beautiful area! Great for large RVS and for families
RangerThe smell of the Ponderosa trees fills the entire Campground and I believe that the smell even keeps away mosquitoes. The campground has nice bathrooms but it always seem to be full it is in such a beautiful area that it makes sense why people are always in line to go camping there. If you were in or around the area I definitely suggest that you check out Ponderosa State Park
TravelerWe love going to McCall to Ponderosa. In the summer there is swimming, hiking, mountain biking and boating (if you have one) and in the winter there is cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the park. In the summer you can pick wild huckleberries if you time it just right. It is quiet and peaceful.
TravelerThis campground boasts lovely showers and bathrooms. All well and good if you like to be in a fishbowl. There is no privacy between camp spaces. The rangers do not enforce the quiet hour rule and you get woken up in the middle of the night by screaming kids. Not my idea of a fun camping experience.
LegendThe 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. There is plenty to do here including hiking, biking and enjoying the lake. Bathrooms were clean and had showers. The tent spot we had included a pad which is always nice, campground and a fire ring. This may have been one of the best State Park spots we had on our western trip!!
LegendWe arrived late but could tell the campground is a little cramped. We had spot with natural dividers between spots. We had to book several months in advance to get a reservation. It was a little expensive for out of staters.
Rangerexpected this huge state park to be really busy but was pleasantly surprised how quiet it was. Showers were clean and had great pressure. Lots of trails all over to walk the dogs on.
GuideThis camp ground is great if you want an outdoor experience, without losing all the amenities. The camp sites are close but not as close as some of the camping in the East. The park does have nice bathroom and shower facilities. The great thing about this campground is the proximity of the small mountain town, the beach, the programs put on by the rangers and all the trails to explore. My family goes here annually and have for years. It is really cool to drive up to osprey cliff overlook or hike up there and go through some cool marsh areas on the trail. The overlook is a great spot to see a good portion of the lake and get family pictures. This park is great to explore outdoors, not just hang around the camp.
TravelerI have stayed here on a few occasions. The tent sites are great and separate from the RVs. Bathrooms were super clean. It was in the fall, so there weren't a ton of other visitors. Definitely recommend!
GuideRates went up in 2018 :(
Ponderosa has 2 parts to it. Their main area located next to town is good if you have an rv or like a lot of people. It gets very crowded and can be noisy at night. But water access is pretty easy, along with biking & hiking.
Their other area of tent camping is a little more quiet. Fcfs with 0 hook ups but is basic.
TravelerA prime spot to camp in McCall. Plan ahead and book early. Great campsites with full hook ups and amenities. Much to do around McCall, yet this campground is good for resting and enjoying the outdoors. Great shade and lots of room to play. Beaches are within walking distance.
TravelerThis campground is amazing. There is so much to do here at park. There is hiking, fishing, swimming in the lake (its cold be prepared). In Late July you can pick Huckleberries in the Park. Bike riding is a way to get around. There are hot showers and flush toilets located at various areas throughout the park. It is also very close to town if you decide you don’t want to cook every night.
GuideThe site of ponderosa state park is pretty backing up to the lake but the campgrounds are right on top of each other. Showers and toilets and fire rings are provided.
ScoutGreat location in McCall. Close to trails and the lake. Beautiful drives right from the camp ground.
ScoutThis is a great site for families- either in a tent or in a camper. Great bike paths and access to amenities. The beach access is easy and beautiful. Campground is located in McCall- making it easy to go buy groceries or eat out. The breweries there are also great.
Cabin camping near Payette National Forest, Idaho, offers a serene escape into nature, complete with stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Payette National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Payette National Forest is Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Payette National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 cabin camping locations near Payette National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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