Upper Payette Lake Campground
Payette National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: MCCALL, ID, ID
Price: From $10 per night
Price range: $10–$30 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (30 reviews)
Season: May through October
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. 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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-payette-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Upper Payette Lake Campground offers beautiful lakeside camping 16 miles from McCall with clear water ideal for fishing, boating, and kayaking. Campers consistently praise the private, quiet sites and scenic fall colors (4.7/5 rating from 47 reviews).
Wildlife alert: Moose, Pacific Marten, prairie rattlesnake, and three garter snake species present within 8km. Great Blue Herons and Steller's Jays common around the lake.
Insider tips for Upper Payette Lake Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 21 sites Narrow gravel road in/out requires patience; be prepared to pull over for oncoming traffic Bring a kayak or canoe — multiple campers highlighted excellent water access and clear lake conditions Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival for QR code site payment option
Skip Upper Payette Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You prefer paved roads — Forest Road 495 is gravel. You plan to visit November-April — seasonal operations May through October only.
Best time to visit Upper Payette Lake Campground: September-October — Fall colors were noted as beautiful by campers; still within May-October operating season.
Nearby campgrounds: Grouse Campground (MCCALL, ID), Hazard Lake (New Meadows, ID), Burgdorf Guard Station (Riggins, ID), Jeanette (McCall, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Payette Lake Campground
Cell signal at Upper Payette Lake Campground (MCCALL, ID): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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. 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 21 sites
Narrow gravel road in/out requires patience; be prepared to pull over for oncoming traffic
Bring a kayak or canoe
multiple campers highlighted excellent water access and clear lake conditions
Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival for QR code site payment option
Fall colors were noted as beautiful by campers; still within May-October operating season
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Payette National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Payette National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Upper Payette Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Upper Payette Lake Campground open?+
Does Upper Payette Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Upper Payette Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Upper Payette Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Upper Payette Lake Campground?+
What season is Upper Payette Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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