McCall offers several ways to shape your stay: historic buildings and public art, trails for walking and cycling, and activities on Payette Lake. Rather than fitting everything into a set itinerary, you can choose which of these interests you’d like to focus on.
History and Art in McCall
The Central Idaho Historical Museum is located on a four-acre site in the heart of McCall. The museum includes eight historic buildings, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex gives your visit a specific historical focus. McCall’s history is also closely tied to recreation, mining, forestry and agriculture.
The McCall Art Walk offers a different way to experience public art: It features 15 specially commissioned artworks installed throughout the city. McCall’s trail network makes it possible to reach some of the best-known sites and public art on foot or by bike. History, art and trails are among the different ways to explore the town, without following a prescribed route.
Trails, the Lake and Seasonal Activities
McCall Parks and Recreation maintains more than nine miles of paved trails for walking and running. For a walk, there’s also the Meadow Marsh Loop in Ponderosa State Park: This family-friendly hike is 1.8 miles long. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The rail-to-trail systems in and around McCall offer scenic routes for hiking and cycling in summer. In winter, options include fat biking and Nordic skiing. McCall is currently designated an “IMBA Silver Ride Center” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. If this designation is important to your plans, check its current status.
Payette Lake is a 5,330-acre glacial lake in Idaho’s mountains, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. Activities on the lake include boating, several sandy beaches and watercraft rentals. Fishing is also an option, from the shore or a small boat. These activities offer a separate focus alongside the trails and cultural attractions.
More Activities and Local Highlights
At Activity Barn, specially designed lifts carry snow tubes uphill; the ride takes two and a half minutes. The tubing run is more than 700 feet long. Depending on conditions, up to four runs of varying difficulty may be available. Curling is offered at the Manchester Ice and Event Center. Along with hiking, cycling and lake activities, these are some more specific options to choose from.
The McCall Ale Trail celebrates the local beer scene and offers a chance to win prizes. Participants can pick up a passport at the McCall Area Chamber Office, 605 N 3rd Street. Anyone who collects eight stamps can pick up a signed McCall Ale Trail beer glass there. Check the official program information before picking up a passport or making plans to claim a prize.
Getting Oriented in the Valley
For the broader Valley destination, the Valley County visitor portal links to county road reports, area webcams, the Payette Avalanche Center and the Idaho Road Report. The Valley County recreation portal provides information on rules and regulations, seasonal activities, access points, maps and condition updates. These regional resources complement the specific things to do around McCall, and can help you find information about conditions and getting around the Valley.
Explore more destinations: Donnelly, Cascade.
Return to the main travel overview: Valley.
