Payette River Scenic Byway

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Travel Details

Distance: 114 miles

Time: 2.5 hours, but don’t rush. Take in the beauty surrounding you and make the most of the recreational opportunities along the way.

When to visit: year-round. In summer, cooler temps and mountain lakes provide a reprieve from Treasure Valley heat waves, with outdoor activities aplenty (like boating, rafting, golfing, mountain biking, and hiking). Once the snow flies, powder hounds can get their freshies at two ski resorts along the route.

Highlights: scenic river views, whitewater rafting and other water sports, national forest lands, camping, fishing, hiking, golfing, winter sports, hot springs

Services: gas, food, and lodging available in Boise, Eagle, Cascade, Donnelly, McCall, and New Meadows; partial services in Horseshoe Bend.

Accommodations: available in Boise, Eagle, Cascade, Donnelly, McCall, and New Meadows.

Getting here: The Payette River Byway begins in Eagle and continues past Horseshoe Bend, Banks, Cascade, Donnelly, and McCall, and ends at the junction of U.S. 95 in New Meadows. Except for a few passing lanes, much of the route is a two-lane highway that runs adjacent to the river. Drive with caution, as you’ll often share the road with RVs and motorcyclists (as well as the occasional deer). Be prepared for traffic delays on holiday weekends and year-round near Smiths Ferry, as work begins to replace the historic Rainbow Bridge.

Local’s Tip: Shoulder season is a lovely time to visit this area, with spring and fall in the mountains being mild in temperature and less crowded than peak months of summer and winter.

In this part of Idaho, the scenic route is the recreational route and there are opportunities for outdoor play all along this byway. Beginning in Eagle, take ID-55 north for about 35 miles past Horseshoe Bend until you reach Banks. This tiny town is located at the confluence of the Payette River’s north and south forks and is a major access point for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

Continuing north on ID-55, you’ll pass several campgrounds and roadside pull-outs worthy of a photo op. After all, you’re in the heart of the beautiful Boise National Forest, where the river below carves its way through narrow gorges and towering pines, crashes over massive boulders, and creates plentiful fishing holes.

In 36 miles or about 45 minutes, you’ll approach the town of Cascade. Turn right onto Kelly’s Parkway/West Mill Street to get to Kelly’s Whitewater Park, a playground where paddlers of all skill levels can navigate the rapids. Whether you want to raft, kayak, tube, or paddleboard, there’s rental gear available. If you’d rather not tangle with whitewater, check out the visitors center, explore 2.5 miles of walking trails along the river, or play a rousing game of volleyball, bocce ball, or horseshoes. If a leisurely round on the green is more your speed, Cascade Golf Course is only a few blocks away.

Nearby is Lake Cascade, which is one of the largest bodies of water in Idaho. Much of the lake is surrounded by a state park, so there are plenty of maintained campgrounds, boat ramps, and beaches for those who want to stay and play. The lake is ideal for water sports in the summer but is also a destination for ice fishing and snowmobiling during the winter. 

Want to stay awhile but not keen on sleeping outdoors? Weekend warriors will appreciate Tamarack Resort in Donnelly (located near the northwest end of Cascade Lake) for its luxury accommodations, dining options, and easy access to a bevy of outdoor activities. There’s something exciting to do here in every season, from sinking a putt on a gorgeous day at Osprey Meadows to hitting the slopes after a dumping of fresh powder.

If your muscles need a rest after a long day of adventuring, several natural hot springs await. Many of these lie along the route between Banks and Donnelly. If you’d like the soaking experience without wandering the backcountry, head to Gold Fork Hot Springs. Six sand-bottom pools, fed by geothermal springs, are accessible in all seasons, but it’s especially beautiful in winter. Burgdorf Hot Springs is a historic and adventurous retreat near McCall with three rustic log-sided pools. Getting to Burgdorf is part of the adventure: drive along Warren Wagon Road in summer or arrive by snowmobile in winter. Reservations are required for this cozy getaway.

Weekenders love McCall for its open-air adventures and many lodging options, from boutique hotels to condos and cabins for rent. For lakeside luxury, book a stay (and a spa day)at Shore Lodge. Or, set up your home base at the cozy but charming Scandia Inn, where you’ll find well-appointed rooms, a sauna, hot tub, cold plunge tub, and fire pits for toasting s’mores. If you’d rather sleep under the stars, campgrounds are abundant in the Payette National Forest. This area is so popular, you may even need to make a reservation for camping. 

Summers in McCall are for strolling the farmers market and the local shops, hiking Jughandle Mountain, teeing off at one of three local golf courses, mountain biking at Bear Basin, riding the wake at Payette Lake, or cooling off with a famous Mountain Size Scoop cone from Ice Cream Alley. 

In the winter months, McCall transforms into a mountain wonderland. People flock here to shred the pow at Brundage Mountain Resort, cross-country ski at Ponderosa State Park, ice fish on Payette Lake, sled at Legacy Park, and of course, admire the ice sculptures at the McCall Winter Carnival. In any season, we recommend having a pint at one of the town’s craft breweries (because beer just tastes better in the mountains).

When your time in McCall is through, continue on ID-55 for the final leg of the Payette River Byway. It’s about 12 miles to the quiet town of New Meadows. If you’re not ready to come back to reality, 18 holes at MeadowCreek Golf Resort should ease the Sunday scaries. Whenever you choose to end your trip, the best part about the drive home is you get to experience the scenic beauty of this route a second time.