Winter Carnival
For most of the past 75 years, that mid-winter bash has been the McCall Winter Carnival, which begins when three dozen businesses unveil intricate snow sculptures on opening weekend. On days between the contests the surrounding mountains offer outstanding downhill skiing at Brundage Mountain and Tamarack Resort, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Ponderosa State Park, tubing for the kids and 530 miles of snowmobile trails plus lots of goofy carnival fun.

Recreation in the McCall, Idaho Area

Payette Lake offers excellent opportunities for good, clean family fun.

McCall, Idaho is a ski and summer destination resort community known for its recreational opportunities and many Idaho residents consider McCall to be Idaho’s playground.

McCall is merely a two-hour drive north of Boise, Idaho and the drive up hwy 55 along the Payette River is a pleasure in itself. McCall began as a timber producing town but is now home to Brundage Mountain and Tamarack Resort, the Activity Barn snow tubing park, Ponderosa State Park, and the U. S. Forest Service Smokejumper Base. McCall holds an annual Winter Carnival, begun in 1924, every year with outstanding snow sculptures and amusing activities of all kinds. You can even ice skate or watch championship hockey at the Manchester Ice and Event Centre.  McCall is and has been the home of a number of Olympic skiers. In winter, the ski resorts and seemingly endless snowmobiling trails are McCall’s main draw.

In summer, people come to play on Payette Lake. Payette Lake offers excellent boating, several sandy beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. North Beach is a popular spot for waterskiing and sunbathing and there is a boat launch by the kayak rentals. There is a newly renovated marina and boat ramp close to downtown McCall and for picnicking and swimming the town has several city parks right on the lake. Ponderosa State Park on the large peninsula jutting out into the lake offers excellent camping, boating and hiking opportunities.  There are several public and private golf courses in the area, including Jug Mountain Ranch, that will challenge the most expert golfer.