The McCall area offers pet-friendly camping spots within the Payette National Forest at elevations between 5,000-6,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during day and 40-50°F at night, with occasional thunderstorms. Most campgrounds near Spink close by mid-September due to dropping temperatures and increasing precipitation.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: The Goose Creek Falls trail at Last Chance Campground provides a 2.8-mile trek to the falls with an additional 0.2 miles to a footbridge. "This used to be one of my favorite campgrounds until they had to log it this past winter. Goose Creek flows right by the sites and it is very wooded here. There is a hot springs near the entry," notes Hannah C.
Swimming spots: Several beaches at Sugarloaf Campground offer pet-friendly water access. "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 out in the morning and camped out on the beach with our gear," explains Tara L.
Off-leash areas: While most campgrounds require leashes, some dispersed camping areas near Little Payette Lake have fewer restrictions. "Dogs loved being off leash. We drove a bit further down the road and there were some dispersed camping spots. Found a nice large flat area for 2 nights," shares J J.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Some sites at Peninsula Campground offer more seclusion than others. "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," says Ryan L.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms at campgrounds like Rainbow Point. "The sites are spaced far apart and very spacious. Campground host is great and the campground is clean. There are a few pull throughs which make it easy for RVs," explains Heidi C.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities to see wildlife with your pet. "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," recommends Hannah C. about Peninsula Campground.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Bring plenty of repellent, especially at certain campgrounds. "Horrible mosquitoes. We may be packing up to leave early. Beautiful space though. Next to road so you do have that noise," warns Imerie T. about Little Payette Lake.
Water conditions: Check for algae blooms before allowing pets in water. "Be cautious about lake conditions before swimming or letting dogs swim. We had a skunk walk right through our camp!" cautions Amanda C.
Quiet enforcement: Rules around noise vary by campground. "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," reports Jamie H.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with amenities that match your family's needs. "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. There is plenty to do here including hiking, biking and enjoying the lake," suggests Tom K.
Beach-friendly options: Poison Creek Campground offers excellent swimming areas for families with pets. "This small campground has it all. Sand area for tents, showers and rent boat, canoe and kayaks at the small marina," notes Anne S.
Weather preparation: Plan for variable conditions, particularly with pets. "Frozen temperature at night (05/24/19) but fabulous view and I love to go camping to Lake Cascade State Park," shares Sujith A.
Tips from RVers
Full-service options: For RVers wanting amenities with their pets, Black Bear RV Park offers extensive services. "Great bathrooms and showers great laundry room. Older place has power and water and a central dump station," explains Jeff K.
Site spacing: Consider how close neighboring campers will be when traveling with pets. "Sites are all fairly close together with not a lot of privacy. The lake is beautiful, but expect noise from boats. The vault toilets were clean," warns Joshua D. about Rainbow Point.
Leveling requirements: Some dispersed sites require extra work. "Sloped ground so make sure you can level all your things. Pros - super close to McCall, like 6 mins drive time. Beautiful. Dead end. Huge trees," advises Imerie T.
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