Upper Payette Lake Campground

102 Lake St P.O. Box 1026, McCall, Idaho, United States
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Upper Payette Lake from the Campground Site 7 with lake in the background
Upper Payette Lake Campground Site 6
UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND Site
UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND with camper
UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND Campsite (4) with view of lake in the background.

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
View all amenities

About Upper Payette Lake Campground

Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 mi from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Available sites

10 total sites
RV Sites 10 sites Check Availability

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Canoeing

Canoeing

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 009, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 010, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 10 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 011, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 11 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 012, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 013, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 13 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 014, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 015, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 22 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 22 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 GA1, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 88 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 GA2, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft wide · Gravel

Reviews

74 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Upper Payette Lake Campground offers a beautiful, well-maintained setting with clean restrooms and friendly camp hosts. Many visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, privacy at campsites, and proximity to the lake, which is great for kayaking and fishing. However, some reviewers noted issues with road conditions and mosquitoes, recommending the use of repellent and bringing your own drinking water. Overall, it’s a lovely spot for a peaceful getaway.

Based on guest feedback

4.4

Overall rating

Based on 74 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 70.3% (52)
4 stars 14.9% (11)
3 stars 5.4% (4)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 9.5% (7)

Showing 74 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Oldest First
Newest First Oldest First

Amy G

Verified

January 1, 2025 Stayed at: GA1, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Would not recommend staying in this spot. Right on the road, no privacy. Not really a camping spot - more like a gravel open space.

Helpful

Amy G

Verified

January 1, 2025 Stayed at: GA1, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Would not recommend staying in this spot. Right on the road, no privacy. Not really a camping spot - more like a gravel open space.

Helpful

William A

July 20, 2025

Clean and quiet

Helpful

William A

July 20, 2025

Clean and quiet

Helpful

Chris M

Verified

July 21, 2025 Stayed at: 016, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Very nice campground, as each site was private. The lake was just a short walk away. the only downside was that there were quite a few bugs. We would definitely come back to camp there again.

Helpful

Chris M

Verified

July 21, 2025 Stayed at: 016, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Very nice campground, as each site was private. The lake was just a short walk away. the only downside was that there were quite a few bugs. We would definitely come back to camp there again.

Helpful

Dianne K

Verified

July 25, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Love this place! We originally started out in a reserve site, gave it away and moved to a first come location due to additional days and family.
Once a year family trip. Close enough from Boise so all kiddos can make it.
Camp hosts are wonderful. Lori is so nice! Bathrooms are clean. Good kayaking and caught a few fish. One trip to town to have pizza. Note: Mosquitoes were really out this time. Lake was high.

Helpful

Dianne K

Verified

July 25, 2025 Stayed at: 015, Loop: UPPER PAYETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Love this place! We originally started out in a reserve site, gave it away and moved to a first come location due to additional days and family.
Once a year family trip. Close enough from Boise so all kiddos can make it.
Camp hosts are wonderful. Lori is so nice! Bathrooms are clean. Good kayaking and caught a few fish. One trip to town to have pizza. Note: Mosquitoes were really out this time. Lake was high.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Upper Payette Lake Campground

102 Lake St P.O. Box 1026, McCall, ID 83638 United States

Elevation: 1,705 ft

Getting There

From McCall, Idaho, take Highway 55 north to Warren Wagon Road/Forest Highway 21. Turn right and continue for 16 mi to gravel Forest Road 495 and follow for a mile into the campground.

Nearest town

McCall, ID - 17 mi

About 32 min to downtown

Highway access

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.

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.

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

McCall

15 mi away

City
Explore destination

New Meadows

16 mi away

City
Explore destination

Riggins

25 mi away

Day trip

Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Population: 3,946

Elevation: 5,013 ft

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