Payette National Forest — Attraction in McCall

The Payette National Forest that surrounds the Town of McCall has over 1000 lakes in a hundred miles radius. High mountain lakes, ponds, creeks, streams, rivers and small reservoirs in this region most are well stocked and ready for the anglers at heart. For the hikers, there are numerous trails, Forest service roads and unique places to explore, such as some of the abandoned mines scattered throughout the backcountry. Be careful as a lot of these areas are unstable. Explore all you like but leave things as you find them so that the next person can experience a look back in time when things weren't as simple. This place is rich in history and holds a special place in our past. From the Nez Perce who called this place home and originally frequented this area because of it's special healing powers and abundance of food. The the Lumber Mill Tycoons and Gold miners of the turn of the century, to the tourists of today.... the area is something to behold. Experience the outdoors and nature upclose and personal in this awe-inspiring piece of heaven. Every kind of outdoors experience you can think of are all right here waiting for you to explore. The wildlife is plentiful and every Majestic creature you could think of calls this beautiful place home. Bald Eagles nest in and around this valley, Elk herds travers these mountains and valleys. During the fall when they're in rutt, there's a chill in the air in the early morning, you will hear their bugle echo across the valley as they call to each other. As always, leave it better than you found it. Enjoy...

I love this area so much that I constantly want to return. If you get lucky, you'll find access to a hand pump/well, and you'll probably agree that the water is the most refreshing, clean and delicious water you've ever had! Two of my favorite campgrounds are Chinook campground and Last Chance campground. They both have hand pump wells with clean water, fire pits with grates/grills, picnic tables and good space between campsites. This is also a beautiful area with trails for hiking that lead to waterfalls, rivers for gold panning or fly fishing, and in the right time of year at last chance capground you can go berry picking for...

An absolutely breathtaking wilderness. Scenic vistas, accessable, and extremely quiet with no activity. This place is my home.

Unfortunately, I have to deduct two stars because even though this is the best place I've ever been to, it is/can be INFESTED with trucks with campers, dirt bikes, and ATVs driving along roads completely ruining any sort of tranquility you had. This last weekend 09/13/2025, two motor bikers came into our camp looking for a way to visit a nearby lake. They invaded our space, said nothing to us while looking, then left. Extremely rude behavior and motor vehicle owners like this are a parasite to...