McCall to Cascade: An Ideal Scenic Drive
The Best Rental Cabins, Homes, Lakefront Estates and Romantic Getaways in McCall, Donnelly, Cascade & New Meadows
The road from Cascade to McCall, Idaho, is a short and ideal scenic drive, taking you through parts of the Payette National Forest. As you look out your car window, you’ll see breathtaking views of the pine trees, lakes, and mountains.
Between the short distance and the few places you’ll pass on your way to McCall, it’s a great drive to make quick stops and enjoy outdoor activities. In this spirit, we prepared a mini road trip guide so you can take advantage of the scenic drive from Cascade to McCall.
Is McCall your final destination? Book one of our vacation rentals near downtown McCall and enjoy some of the best things to do in this lovely small town.
Photo Credit: ShotPrime Studio
By Car
The driving distance from Cascade to McCall takes between 30-40 minutes, depending on the season and traffic conditions. The road conditions on this short 30-mile drive on Highway 55 northbound make it easy for drivers, bikers, and motorcyclists.
By Bus
Not self-driving? You can arrive at McCall using the free green line from Treasure Valley Transit. These buses are also equipped with bicycle racks and wheelchair lifts, and the average driving time is around 50 minutes.
When to Go
The best time of the year to make the drive is the summer, as the road is much clearer, or the fall if you wish to see the changing of colors. Spring is the shoulder season – with Spring skiing and snowmobiling or white-water rafting available if you seek an adrenaline rush.
There are also a few stops you can make along the way from Cascade to McCall that will take you through some mini adventures in the outdoors.
Starting your journey in Cascade, you’ll pass by several pull-offs along the river. You can make quick stops to take photos, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the tranquility and views.
Photo Credit: Lake Cascade State Park
Lake Cascade State Park is impressive, with over 86 miles of shoreline. Depending on your itinerary, there’s plenty to do at the state park, from boating, fishing, windsurfing, swimming, and kayaking during the summer months.
For those who love fishing, you’ll find an abundance of trout, bass, and perch. During winter, you’ll have plenty of snow to go on a snowmobile trail, ice fishing, or cross-country skiing.
The best way to describe Kelly’s Whitewater Park is as a natural river and water playground. They offer any water-related activities that you can think of, from whitewater tubing, kayaking, rafting, and paddle boarding. The park also has a 5-mile walking path known as “The Strand,” and families can book activities for their children and learn water sports in a safe environment.
Photo Credit: Matt Capell
The Crown Point Trailhead is just outside of Cascade. From ID-55 N, take a left onto Lake Way and then a right onto Crown Point Parkway. There are parking spots and a public bathroom in this area. This trailhead is well-maintained and relatively flat, with approximately 2.5 miles one way. It makes it an easy-to-do hike for all levels before you get back on the highway as you drive from Cascade to McCall.
Another slight detour off ID-55 N takes you to the Gold Fork Hot Springs, which is certainly worth the extra few miles to arrive. The hot springs feature six pools with natural mineral water ranging from warm to hot (84-110 F), making the perfect nature spa and place to sit back and relax.
A dirt road will lead you to the springs, so road conditions will change with the seasons. During winter, an all-wheel drive vehicle gives you better, safer conditions. You can also visit Valley County’s website for additional road information.
Photo Credit: Wayne Johnson
Taking you off ID-55 N and going on east Roseberry Road and Farm to Market Road, you’ll find the Historic Roseberry Townsite – an open-air museum. It’s nearby Donnelly, and the townsite is an example of what it was like to live in a pioneer-era community with historic buildings you can see, including a general store, church, and schoolhouse. Think of it as a sort of semi-restored ghost town where you can feel the spirit of the Valley County of the late 1800s.
The Black Pine Deer Farm is just off the highway; just turn right onto Farm to Market Road. The family-owned farm is a fun stop for families as you get to experience an up-close look at the European Fallow deer and their natural behaviors. Because the farm has an emphasis on education and conservation, you can get an interactive tour and participate in feeding and interacting with the deer.
Photo Credit: RTCA NPS via Flickr CC2.0
Near McCall and a quick detour from your main route, there’s Little Payette Lake. This lake has easy-going peaceful water perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or just admiring nature and wildlife as the pine trees surround you.
The Ponderosa State Park is a bit north of your final destination of McCall. It covers over 1,500 acres of dense forests. As such, there’s hiking, biking, and fishing you can do during the spring and summer. During winter, bundle up and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the trails.
McCall is a small town and haven for people who love being outdoors. There are plenty of year-round activities you can partake in depending on what makes you happy. Because McCall is also a resort town, one of the best ways to experience it is by staying in a vacation rental. It gives you all the amenities and privacy that you seek while being within close distance of the state parks, lakes, and restaurants.
We have a few local breakfast and dinner restaurants where you can grab a bite or visit one of the bars or breweries for a cold one. If you wish to participate in some of our annual events, don’t miss out on some of our seasonal highlights, including the McCall Winter Carnival filled with ice sculptures and ice skating, the Monster Dog Pull during winter, and the Summer Music Festival in Roseberry.
The travel times between McCall and Cascade might be short, but the route certainly provides something everyone can do. We hope this mini road trip guide helps you prepare and plan your day out to McCall.
Remember to book your stay at one of our vacation rentals to fully enjoy McCall and all it has to offer!