McCall: Winter Activities, Trails, and Payette Lake

If you are looking for accommodation in McCall for a winter stay, winter activities range from Nordic skiing and fat biking on rail-to-trail systems to snow tubing and curling. When choosing your accommodation, the key consideration is therefore which combination of winter sports, nature, family activities, and town offerings you are looking for.

Key facts on the topic

• The rail-to-trail systems in and around McCall offer opportunities for fat biking and Nordic skiing in winter.
• At Activity Barn, specially designed tow lifts pull the snow tubes uphill; the ride takes two and a half minutes.
• The tubing run at Activity Barn is more than 700 feet long.
• Depending on conditions, up to four tubing runs with different levels of difficulty may be available there.
• Payette Lake is a 5,330-acre glacial lake in the mountains of Idaho and lies at an elevation of about 5,000 feet.
• The Meadow Marsh Loop in Ponderosa State Park is a family-friendly 1.8-mile hike.

Winter activities beyond the classic ski slope

The rail-to-trail systems are an important distinction from an alpine skiing offering. In summer, they are suitable for scenic hiking and cycling routes; in winter, they are used for winter sports on paths and trails. Nordic skiing refers to a winter sport on paths and trails, not automatically downhill skiing on groomed slopes. If you specifically want to classify alpine slopes, mountain lifts, or a beginner area, you should therefore regard Nordic skiing as a distinct winter sport.

Activity Barn complements this offering with its own snow tubing format. Unlike Nordic skiing, it takes place on a run and therefore represents a separate winter activity for groups with different interests. Curling is also offered at the Manchester Ice and Event Center, meaning that an activity on the ice is another winter option.

Lake, trails, and nature experiences

Payette Lake shapes the landscape around McCall. At the lake, boat trips, several sandy beaches, and watercraft rentals are available. You can fish from the shore or from a small boat. These offerings differ significantly from the winter trail and snow tubing activities and expand the stay with water-based experiences.

For shorter outings, McCall offers more than nine miles of paved paths for walking and running. The trail network also allows visitors to reach some of the best-known sites and public art on foot or by bicycle. The Meadow Marsh Loop complements this offering with a hike of 1.8 miles explicitly described as family-friendly.

Culture and local character

The Central Idaho Historical Museum is located in the heart of McCall. The historic buildings were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. McCall's history is closely connected with recreation, mining, forestry, and agriculture. The McCall Art Walk complements this historical focus with 15 specially commissioned artworks installed throughout the town.

The local beer scene is also represented among the town's offerings. Participants can pick up the passport for the McCall Ale Trail at the McCall Area Chamber Office at 605 N 3rd Street. Anyone who has collected eight stamps can pick up a signed McCall Ale Trail beer glass there. The Ale Trail celebrates the local beer scene and offers the opportunity to win prizes.

FAQ

What mountain biking designation does McCall have?

McCall is currently designated a “Silver Ride Center” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. This designation relates to the town's mountain biking focus and is not a statement about alpine ski slopes or snow reliability.

For the main travel overview: Valley.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Donnelly.