Upper Payette Lake Campground

📌 McCall Area 📍 45.124788,-116.028704 ⛰ 5,593 ft

Upper Payette Lake Campground is set on the western shore of Upper Payette Lake with Cougar Creek splitting the campground in two. The area is forested with underbrush. There are mountains all around the lake which provide a beautiful setting to camp in. We enjoyed camping here. It was a scenic drive down to and around Payette Lake to McCall. There are many places to shop or eat if you want to get away from the camp for awhile. The mountains hide several small lakes one could hike in to if you are inclined to hiking.

Amenities

Campsites

There are 20 RV / tent camping sites. Seven are double sites which have a double width parking area and two tables with a fire pit all set in pavement. Thirteen are single sites having one table and a fire pit and three are pull-throughs. The map is very detailed so check it out.

Water

Water is available from a hand pump and was very good.

Restroom

There are two vault style outhouses. We have visited 175 campgrounds in Idaho this year and this campground's bathrooms were by far the nicest. They were clean and well stocked. The host has installed battery powered lights, magazine racks, posters on the walls and flowers inside and out. The deodorizers were very pleasant. Finally, they have a book exchange in the back door of the lower outhouse! Amazing!

Firewood

Free at the host, at least for 2010.

Pets

Pets are allowed on a leash.

Picnic Area

There is a day use area by the boat ramp.

Handicap Access

Yes, the outhouses and sites are handicap accessible.

RV Dump Site

RV dumping is available at McCall.

Host On-Site

Yes, they were very nice!

Phone Service

No cell or landline service is available here. McCall is 15 miles south and would have cell reception and pay phones.

Garbage Services

This is a pack it in, pack is out campground, no garbage services available.

Recreation

Fishing

Upper Payette Lake is a "Family Fishing Water". It is stocked with trout regularly. Check out the regulations on our fishing page.

Boating

There is a boat ramp on the south edge of the campground with a large parking lot.

Swimming

There isn't a designated swimming area but I am sure people do swim in the lake.

Recreation

The obvious activity is camping but there is much more. Hiking, fishing, huckleberry picking, bike riding, photography, bird watching, hunting in the fall, backpacking into the many small lakes nearby and more.

Wildlife

In this area you could see deer, bear, elk, moose, and many species of birds. And if one were lucky there are cougars and mountain sheep.

Fees & Reservations

Fee Schedule

Doubles are $15.00 and singles are $10.00 per day. Firewood was available and free both times we visited Upper Payette Lake Campground.

Reservations

10 of these sites may be reserved at recreation.gov.

Fees & Res.

10 of these sites may be reserved at recreation.gov. Doubles are $15.00 and singles are $10.00 per day. Firewood was available and free both times we visited Upper Payette Lake Campground.

Getting There

From downtown McCall, Idaho travel west on W. Lake St.(Hwy 55) to Warren Wagon Rd. on your right. Turn right on Warren Wagon Rd and follow it for about 15 miles. The sign and entrance is on the left . Upper Payette Lake Campground is at the end of the gravel road about half a mile down.

7-Day Forecast

National Weather Service

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This information is accurate as of the date of the review.