McCall, ID – Wow, this is a nice RV park. Located in the quaint resort town of McCall Idaho and perched above the banks of a river, the owners have worked hard to provide beautiful views in a forested setting. Our site was long and level and had a great view overlooking the bluffs above the river. It’s rare we open the front sunscreen on the motorhome because we’re typically looking into another RV. But here we kept it open all day and enjoyed the views. They have a concept that is new to me: buddy sites. Two, three, or even four sites arranged in a L, U, or square shape that families or friends reserve and create a cool, block party kind of atmosphere.
Our site had a nice patio for relaxing outside
Our site had plenty of space
Buddy sites allow up to 4 friends to park in a square and have a central courtyard
Sunset from our site
The town of McCall offers all the services you’d expect, and has a number of excellent restaurants and brewpubs. A recreation trail right across the street provides easy walking (20 mins) or biking (8 mins) access to town. The nearby Payette Lake offers plenty of watercraft fun, while the mountains and Payette National Forest offer unlimited hiking and mountain biking. For hiking trails, we highly recommend Scott Marchant’s “The Hiker’s Guide to McCall & Cascades“. Apparently in the winter this town is quite the snowsports oasis, with downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
The Recreation Trail allows for easy walking or biking to town
Payette Lake is in the heart of downtown McCall
The Clearwater Mountains viewed from just outside of McCall
During our 1 week stay we observed the following wildlife in the campground: mule deer, fox, squirrel, Steller’s Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, Pine Finch, and the ever present raven.
Deer walking through the campground
Deer at our site
The fox visited the campground several times
During our stay in September 2017 there is considerable construction in the lower part of campground, where they are doubling the number of spaces. The owners have done a great job of minimizing impacts on campers while still getting work done. The new lower section will offer closer access to the river, but at the expense of less view.
Construction in the expansion section of the campground
We visited the nearby town of Cascades and walked at Lake Cascade State Park on the Crown Point Trail. The trail travels 2.5 miles (one way) through the park on a fairly level surface that is an old railroad bed. Along the trail we saw deer and birds including an osprey. I hiked at Ponderosa State Park and part of the Boulder Lake trail solo on days Karla wasn’t feeling well.
Crown Point Trail travels through pine forest along Cascade Lake
View of Cascade Lake and Crown Point Trail
Osprey nest along the trail
Cascade Lake from the trail
We spent 7 days here and longed for more. We’ll be back.
Rating: 
Campground website: McCall RV Resort
