Payette National Forest
Payette National Forest is a vast acreages of high-elevation peaks, rivers, and alpine basins in central Idaho. It provides remote hiking, fishing and backcountry camping near McCall and the Salmon River.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Northern Rockies |
| Subregion | Northeast Pacific |
| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Valley County |
| District | Payette National Forest |
| City | McCall |
| Timezone | AmericaBoise |
| Latitude | 44.933 |
| Longitude | -116.2 |
| Maps |
7:14 PM LOCAL TIMEPayette National Forest spans over 20,000 km² of high mountain country across western Idaho. It’s characterized by rugged peaks and alpine basins, carved by glaciers and snowmelt from the Salmon River and tributaries. The forest surrounds the city of McCall and offers a mix of backcountry routes, glacial lakes, and forested valleys. Common activities include hiking and trail running on multi-day routes, fishing for native trout, and winter recreation like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Expect variable weather with warm summer days and cold mountain nights; many campgrounds are primitive and require planning. Roads access multiple entry points and trailheads, serving as gateways to both popular destinations and quieter high-country areas.
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