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Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails.
The no-wake lake offers great fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The paved, mile-long Shoreline Trail begins in the campground and several additional hiking and biking trails begin just across the road from the entrance.
The campground offers two group sites that can accommodate up to 20 and 30 guests. Several additional single and double-family sites are available as well. All sites are accessible; some have lake views and some have lake access.
Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A boat ramp, day-use site and several paved pathways are located in the campground. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
The lake is situated at the foot of the Salmon River Mountains at an approximate elevation of 5,900 feet. Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine forest the site, providing partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant. Summer days are typically warm and nights are cool.
From McCall, Idaho, take Highway 55 north to Warren Wagon Road/Forest Highway 21. Turn right and continue for 16 miles to gravel Forest Road 495 and follow for a mile into the campground.
This campground is in serious need of maintenance. The volunteer camp hosts worked hard to maintain toilet vaults, but beyond that the grounds and hiking trails have been neglected. Overgrown plants and fallen trees are blocking many points on several trails. There is no trash service at the grounds. Other than a crowded campground what did my $15 a night go to?
I would not recommended visiting this location for either camping or a day trip.
Beautiful campground. If you're in a camper, just know the water is hand-pump only.. so either fill your potable water before coming, or bring jugs! But the view is spectacular up there. Will definitely go again.
Fantastic campsite- right on the lake, with a trail on the opposite side of the forestry road. Expect dry camping: no hookups (water or electric), no cell service, potable water available only via water pump, concrete slab and picnic table at each site. Pit toilets, kept extremely clean (camp hosts cleaned and sanitized them daily) I was impressed. No dumpsters so you need to pack your trash out. The trail that's across the road is very rigorous, its a glorified foot path but those are the best kind of trails in my opinion. Camp hosts were the sweetest couple. $10 per night.
Everything was absolutely perfect!
Nice spacious camping sites, clean ready to set up, and the camp host was great...
We will be back
Classic Forest Service Campground with minimal services in a nice location. In the early season the lake is full so this is the best time to visit to enjoy the lake. In late season the lake can be quite low and is just a different experience. If you are going for hiking there are lots of opportunities nearby to enjoy so the location is great.
