Upper Payette Lake Campground
Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
21 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 51 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 78 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 75 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 29 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites GA1, GA2 are listed accessible |
The campground offers two group sites that can accommodate up to 20 and 30 guests. Several additional single and double-family sites are available as well. All sites are accessible; some have lake views and some have lake access. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A boat ramp, day-use site and several paved pathways are located in the campground. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Payette National Forest |
| Booking | Check availability and make reservations up to 12 months in advance at: Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Site One: $20/night, Site Two: $30/night |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Mccall, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 45.1225° N, 116.0289° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- 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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMeadow Marsh Rx
13 mi from the campground · 70 acres
- PrescribedGoose Rx
15 mi from the campground · 529 acres
- PrescribedBrush Rx
17 mi from the campground · 150 acres
- PrescribedCold Rx
23 mi from the campground · 1,094 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Upper Payette Lake Campground - Payette National Forest, ID
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miUpper Payette Lake Connector2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miCougar Creek/Deep Creek1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miTwenty Mile ↗9.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.9 miCrestline ↗10.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.1 miNorth Lake/Twenty Mile Lakes2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.5 miVictor Creek ↗10.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Payette National Forest.
- inPayette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,407,306 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Rice MeetinghouseBuilding · McCall · 13.5 mi
- Payette Lakes ClubBuilding · McCall · 14.5 mi
Natural features
The lake is situated at the foot of the Salmon River Mountains at an approximate elevation of 5,900 feet. Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine forest the site, providing partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant. Summer days are typically warm and nights are cool.
Recreation
Upper Payette Lake is a no-wake lake that offers great fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The paved, mile-long Shoreline Trail begins in the campground and several additional hiking and biking trails begin just across the road from the entrance.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Sites at Upper Payette Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Check availability and make reservations up to 12 months in advance at: Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Site One: $20/night, Site Two: $30/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Upper Payette Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Upper Payette Lake Campground have?
23 sites, including 19 standard sites without power and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Upper Payette Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Payette Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Sites GA1 and GA2 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Upper Payette Lake is a no-wake lake that offers great fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Upper Payette Lake Campground?
Mccall, Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Upper Payette Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Granite Lake Camping Area (3 mi, first-come), Grouse Campground (7.7 mi), and Hazard Lake (7.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby