The Payette National Forest region features elevations ranging from 1,500 to over 8,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences from riverside sites to mountain retreats. Cellular coverage weakens considerably in remote areas away from McCall, with some campgrounds experiencing little to no service. Water levels at reservoirs like Lost Valley decrease significantly by mid-August, affecting shoreline camping options.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area offers fishing for small perch. "Great fishing, great sights. Plenty of off-road trails," notes one camper who gave the area a five-star rating.
River adventures: Near Riverside RV Park, visitors can access both the Little Salmon and main Salmon Rivers for fly fishing. The park serves as "a great home base for those that want to fly fish the Little Salmon and Salmon Rivers," according to one review.
Hot springs access: Several hot springs dot the region within 30-45 minutes of campgrounds. "We were looking for an electric spot for the weekend due to the record breaking heat this summer. We happened upon Canyon Pines and we struck gold," reports a camper who used the campground as a base for regional exploration.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Canyon Pines RV Resort receives praise for its waterfront sites. "If you have a smaller camper, find a spot next to the river!" advises one camper who appreciated the natural soundscape of the Salmon River.
Indoor recreation options: McCall RV Resort provides indoor amenities for poor weather days. "The indoor pool and spa and steam room made this my favorite park so far on our journey," writes one reviewer who visited during cooler months.
Well-maintained grounds: Black Bear RV Park receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Great bathrooms and showers, great laundry room. Clean and well kept grounds," notes a camper who appreciated the maintenance standards.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Fire bans frequently affect the region during summer months. "We camped here in mid-July this year and had a campfire each night," notes a Lost Valley visitor, but conditions change rapidly during fire season.
Water level fluctuations: Reservoir levels drop significantly by late summer. "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."
Access limitations: Some roads require high-clearance vehicles. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Arrowhead RV Park offers dedicated spaces for children. "Fun REC for kids, playground, and party fire pit area," mentions a reviewer who visited with family.
Swimming access: Waters Edge RV Resort provides beach areas for families with children. "Clean, leveled, friendly, only 1/4 mile to their downtown. Friendly and helpful staff, showers, toilets, beach area for swimming WITH lounge chairs, swimming right in front," notes a visitor.
Walking trails: Several campgrounds feature river-adjacent paths. "Great walking paths to view all kinds of wildlife along the river," writes a camper who stayed at Waters Edge RV Resort for a week in October.
Tips from RVers
Site assistance: Staff at rv campgrounds near Payette National Forest often help with parking. "Guided us to our spot, helped up park, and showed us how everything worked," shares a reviewer at Black Bear RV Park.
Internet access: WiFi availability varies greatly between Payette National Forest rv campgrounds. "There is no cell service, but wifi is available. NO streaming and intermittent for browsing," notes a Canyon Pines visitor who needed connectivity.
Utility connections: Sites with water and electric typically offer 30-amp service, while some provide 50-amp options. "Each site had a picnic table and fire pit. We weren't able to use due to fire restrictions in the area," reports a camper who stayed at Canyon Pines during a heat wave.
