Donnelly offers several highlights for a trip: local history, activities at Lake Cascade, and trails and seasonal outdoor recreation. When planning, you can first decide whether local history, water sports, or land-based activities should take center stage. Options range from buildings along Main Street to recreational opportunities at the lake and in the mountain landscape.
Local History Along Main Street
Donnelly was founded in 1914. Many of the old buildings from Roseberry were moved to Donnelly using steam tractors and horse teams. Some of Donnelly’s original buildings still stand along Main Street (HW 55). Both the town’s founding and the relocation of buildings from Roseberry are part of its history. Main Street offers a tangible point of reference if you’re interested in Donnelly’s history as well as outdoor activities.
Lake Cascade and Water Sports
Lake Cascade is next to Donnelly. Activities at the lake include fishing, boating, water skiing, sailing, and other water sports. Tamarack Resort Marina also seasonally rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pontoon boats, wake boats, jet skis, and E-Foils at Lake Cascade. The rental selection includes different types of watercraft and paddling equipment. Since rentals are seasonal, it’s worth checking current availability before your trip.
Donnelly’s general recreational opportunities also include kayaking, wake surfing, water skiing, and rafting. These add more water-based options to the activities at the lake. If you’re planning a stay, you can make water activities a focus of your trip and combine them with local history or land-based options.
Trails and Seasonal Activities
From Donnelly, you can access hiking and biking opportunities at alpine lakes, in meadows, and on mountain trails. Nearby Tamarack Resort has hiking trails accessible from the Village; their operation varies by season. Osprey Meadows golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, is also located at Tamarack Resort. The golf course is also open seasonally.
Donnelly’s recreational opportunities include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fishing, and ice fishing. Availability varies by season. Water activities and winter sports therefore offer different focuses for trip planning; your preferred activity can help you choose when to travel.
Getting Around Town
Donnelly has a gas station, a medical center, a grocery store, and a visitor center. Downtown also has restaurants, sports bars, and small shops. These local amenities provide a guide to what’s available in town; individual services and businesses may change. If you have a specific need, it’s best to check current information.
The public racquet-sport courts are available for singles and doubles play during daylight hours, without a reservation. They are open to residents of Donnelly and the surrounding region. Check the city’s current rules before visiting. Donnelly also has a park for children and families.
Planning in the Greater Valley Destination
In the greater Valley destination, the Valley County visitor portal links to county road reports, area webcams, the Payette Avalanche Center, and the Idaho Road Report. The county’s recreation portal provides information on rules and regulations, seasonal activities, access points, maps, and condition updates. This regional information can help you plan around Donnelly.
Discover more destinations: Cascade, McCall.
Back to the greater travel overview: Valley.
