5 Best Summer Outdoor Activities in McCall, Idaho

June 27, 2019

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THE 5 BEST SUMMER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN MCCALL, IDAHO

This July, the Open Roads Van Life Festival will be held at Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, Idaho. Aside from being home to the festival, McCall, Idaho is an outdoor adventure hub with tons of outdoor activities to do and beautiful places to see while you’re here.

Whether or not you’ve got a ticket to Open Roads, visiting McCall in the summer is one of the best times of the year to have an epic adventure in Idaho. Festival-goers, we recommend scheduling a few extra days before or after the event to enjoy everything without rushing. Or, consider putting it on your adventure bucket list for next year!

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Start planning your trip with this list of the 5 best summer outdoor activities in McCall Idaho.

Hiking in McCall, Idaho

Hiking is not only one of the best summer outdoor activities in McCall, but also a great way to take it all in. Get out on the trail in McCall with a hike through the beautiful Douglas Fir tree-filled forests alongside rivers and streams. Check out these two while you’re in town:

Goose Creek Falls

Located near the base of Brundage Mountain and accessible from Last Chance Campground, this moderate 3 mile hike is a popular spot for good reason. Waterfalls, steady incline and breathtaking scenery makes this quick walk in the woods a must-see while in Idaho.

Louie Lake / Boulder Lake Loop

This hike combines the Boulder Lake Trail #105 with Louie Lake Trail making for a 7-mile loop. It provides access to three different lakes without too much effort and amazing views, with a free car campground at the trailhead.

The start of the hike at Boulder Creek Reservoir

Scenic Backcountry Drives

We love a good road trip and there’s no better kind than a scenic backcountry drive in McCall during the summer. Map out your most picturesque route as you make your way in or out of McCall. Here are a few great options.

Take the Scenic Byway from McCall to Stanley

Heading out of town? Drive the scenic byway from McCall to Stanley and make sure you bring your camera. This three hour-long route takes you past beautiful Lake Cascade and snakes alongside the Payette River on Highway 55 for 158 miles. Stop for views at Rainbow Bridge, Smith’s Ferry, and Boise National Forest before turning off on Route 21 to get to Stanley. Once you turn on Highway 21, keep an eye out for roadside hot springs.

Drive to Riggins, Idaho

Another option is to take a scenic drive out to Riggins, Idaho nestled in a canyon near the Salmon River. Here you can hike Rapid River Trail that skirts along the river and offers some vertical gain that opens up to beautiful views of the area.

Road Trip to Yellow Pine

Yellow Pine is a cool destination point that offers camping, hiking, biking and horseback riding. This tiny, remote town is nestled in between the Payette and Boise National Forest. Sunny skies and warm weather makes this road trip a top summer outdoor activity when visiting McCall.

Along the Payette River in McCall

Go Mountain Biking in McCall, Idaho

Bring your bike or rent one while you’re in town because you won’t want to miss out on the famous single and double tracks near McCall. It’s one of the best summer outdoor activities in McCall for the scenery and quality of the trails — plus, it’s suitable for hardcore mountain bikers or people who just want to try it out. Here are some of the best mountain biking spots in McCall.

Tamarack Bike Path

The Tamarack Resort’s version of fun in the summer consists of tons of lift-access single track and is totally worth a visit. Check out our guide to skiing Tamarack during the wintertime.

Brundage Mountain Bike Path

Spend the day cruising around Brundage Mountain’s bike paths that are suitable for all levels of mountain bikers. You can head up the lift and bike down or, for a more hardcore type 2 kind of fun, bike up and down the trails.

Jug Mountain Ranch

Ride around McCall’s world-class, singletrack mountain biking trails free of charge. The terrain offers something for everyone whether you’re a beginner out to enjoy the rolling, buffed out singletrack, to an expert looking for technical features or fast flowy descents. Rent a bike at Jug Mountain or bring your own set of wheels.

Eagles Nest Trail

Take the out and back 14 mile-long single track located in the town just south called Cascade, Idaho. It’s a fun combo of easygoing trails with steep and technical sections, plus a little climbing for good measure.

Payette National Forest

Visitors can hike or bike the 11 mile-long loop trail at Loon Lake (just a heads up that it does get crowded in the summer) and the brand new biking and hiking Payette Lake Rim Trail that’s also 11 miles long for picturesque mountain and lake views. For those looking for a shorter, more challenging trail with some technical features, take your bike to Goose Creek which is accessible from Last Chance Campground by bike, as well as by foot.

Biking the Loon Lake Loop in Payette National Forest

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Water Activities in McCall

There are lots of lakes and rivers worth a visit throughout all of Idaho. While the state is definitely a go-to for mountain lovers, it’s also a haven for water lovers as well. No surprise that the summer is prime time for enjoying Idaho’s beautiful water spots outdoors. Here are some ideas for your next trip.

Go Boating on Payette Lake

The town of McCall is situated on the southern banks of Payette Lake. Great for kayakers, fishers, swimmers and lake lovers alike, Payette gives the resort town its picture perfect backdrop.

Paddle the Upper North Fork of the Payette River

This flatwater section of the Payette River is located at the north end of Payette Lake. It’s a great place to search for moose and other wildlife while taking in the sights and sounds of the river. If you don’t have your own boat, Backwoods Adventures rents kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards.

Go Whitewater Rafting on the Payette River

There are a ton of options for water lovers on the Payette River, depending on what kind of adventure you’re up for and where you launch. Take a lazy kayak ride from North Beach at Payette Lake where you can paddle up the river, or go whitewater rafting downstream near Banks on Highway 55.

Hot Springs in Idaho

Visiting Idaho’s hot springs is a fun and relaxing experience all year-round, but having no snow on the road makes it one of the best summer outdoor activities in McCall, thanks to the easy access. Grab a few friends or go solo to soak in McCall’s hot springs! We’ve listed a few well known hot springs here, and we’ll leave it to you to do some sleuthing to find the lesser known local spots. Be sure to brush up on your hot springs etiquette beforehand.

Gold Fork Hot Springs

For just $10 you can spend an entire day soaking in Gold Fork hot springs outside of Donnely, just south of McCall. Located off of a dirt road at the foothills of the North Fork Range, Gold Fork Hot Springs has beautiful forest views and a number of soaking pools to choose from.

Burgdorf Hot Springs

Burgdorf Hot Springs is a must-visit. 30 minutes north of town, you can rent a cabin and spend the night, which will give you access to the pools after they close to the general public. There is also a Forest Service campground right next door if you prefer to camp. Check out our detailed guide to Burgdorf Hot Springs for more planning tips.

Learn more about Burgdorf Hot Springs

What are you looking forward to visiting in McCall, Idaho? Leave us a note in the comments below, or in our Bearfoot Theory Outdoor Adventurers Facebook Group!