About Upper Payette Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 10
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
10 Sites Available
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (60)
What Guests Are Saying
Upper Payette Lake Campground offers a beautiful, well-maintained environment with clean facilities and friendly camp hosts. The sites provide good privacy, easy access to the lake, and opportunities for fishing and hiking. While mosquitoes can be an issue, the overall atmosphere is quiet and enjoyable, making it a popular choice for families.
What Guests Are Saying
Upper Payette Lake Campground offers a beautiful, well-maintained environment with clean facilities and friendly camp hosts. The sites provide good privacy, easy access to the lake, and opportunities for fishing and hiking. While mosquitoes can be an issue, the overall atmosphere is quiet and enjoyable, making it a popular choice for families.
Review Summary
Kelley D
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Great camp hosts. Great fishing. And very quiet
Kelley D
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Great camp hosts. Great fishing. And very quiet
Mike H
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
The campground is laid out nicely, with some privacy at each site. Our site was level and easy to use. The picnic table and fire pit were in good condition. The restroom was also well maintained.
Mike H
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
The campground is laid out nicely, with some privacy at each site. Our site was level and easy to use. The picnic table and fire pit were in good condition. The restroom was also well maintained.
Gayle H
VerifiedAugust 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Beautiful campground with a beautiful lake. Restrooms are kept very clean and the campground is well managed.
Gayle H
VerifiedAugust 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Beautiful campground with a beautiful lake. Restrooms are kept very clean and the campground is well managed.
Trinkette B
VerifiedAugust 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
We stayed in sore 9 which was great! Access to the lake and the bathroom was across from us which ch was convenient. Bathrooms were kept clean, the host was very nice, and it was quiet there. This is our number 1 campground now.
Trinkette B
VerifiedAugust 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
We stayed in sore 9 which was great! Access to the lake and the bathroom was across from us which ch was convenient. Bathrooms were kept clean, the host was very nice, and it was quiet there. This is our number 1 campground now.
Jennifer J
VerifiedAugust 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Camped at site 15 for 4 days and three nights. Checked in on Wednesday and checked out Saturday. We had two families for a total of 9, one dog, and two vehicles.
Site 15 and 14 are super close. You can see somewhat see your neighbors and mostly hear their conversations. 14 and 15 Would be a good for multiple families to snag. The other side of 15 you cannot see or hear your neighbors.
Campsite: large enough for two tents. We had one 6 person pop up cabin tent and one 10 person pop up cabin tent.
Picnic tables: there’s two picnics tables. It’s either a 7 or 8 ft table top. The benches are 6 feet. They are not chained to the site so you will be able to move it around to suit your needs.
Hammocks: one side of the site has trees you can easily set up hammocks on. We had four set up.
Bathrooms: Short walk to the bathroom. There was two available at the spot close to site 15. Well maintained.
Mosquitos: The campsite is by the lake. Be prepared for mosquitos.
Lake: Upper Payette Lake is a short walk on a paved trail. Can easily walk in with kayak and paddleboard. Few spots to set your camping chairs in. The lake is a “no wake” zone-easy for paddle boarders and kayakers to enjoy their time.
Hiking: there’s a beautiful UP-HILL trail on the other side of the road/entrance to campsite.
Water: there’s a water pump across from site 15-the water is not clean. There’s about a 2 minute walk to the clean water pump.
I highly recommend this campsite and will be returning.
Jennifer J
VerifiedAugust 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Camped at site 15 for 4 days and three nights. Checked in on Wednesday and checked out Saturday. We had two families for a total of 9, one dog, and two vehicles.
Site 15 and 14 are super close. You can see somewhat see your neighbors and mostly hear their conversations. 14 and 15 Would be a good for multiple families to snag. The other side of 15 you cannot see or hear your neighbors.
Campsite: large enough for two tents. We had one 6 person pop up cabin tent and one 10 person pop up cabin tent.
Picnic tables: there’s two picnics tables. It’s either a 7 or 8 ft table top. The benches are 6 feet. They are not chained to the site so you will be able to move it around to suit your needs.
Hammocks: one side of the site has trees you can easily set up hammocks on. We had four set up.
Bathrooms: Short walk to the bathroom. There was two available at the spot close to site 15. Well maintained.
Mosquitos: The campsite is by the lake. Be prepared for mosquitos.
Lake: Upper Payette Lake is a short walk on a paved trail. Can easily walk in with kayak and paddleboard. Few spots to set your camping chairs in. The lake is a “no wake” zone-easy for paddle boarders and kayakers to enjoy their time.
Hiking: there’s a beautiful UP-HILL trail on the other side of the road/entrance to campsite.
Water: there’s a water pump across from site 15-the water is not clean. There’s about a 2 minute walk to the clean water pump.
I highly recommend this campsite and will be returning.
Location Upper Payette Lake Campground
Address:
102 Lake St P.O. Box 1026
McCall, ID, 83638
United States
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.
Upper Payette Lake Campground is accessible via Highway 55, which connects to McCall, Idaho. From Highway 55, take Warren Wagon Road/Forest Highway 21 for approximately 16 miles to reach the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 45.1225 / -116.029
Elevation: 1705 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Idaho Off-road Vehicle Safety Message
- Opening day is dependent upon snow levels; call ahead to check on early season reservations
- No electric, water or sewer site hookups at this campground
- Please bring garbage bags; this is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility
- Sites may be available on a first come, first served basis outside the reservation season
- If reserving the group sites for more than 75 people, please contact the McCall Ranger District at 208-634-0440
- Lake is drawn down annually on or about September 1 (depending on annual conditions) and it may be difficult to launch a boat after that date
- Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
