As if I haven’t said it enough, McCall is my favorite place in Idaho. Any time I need to go to my “happy place,” I’ll think of enjoying the Payette Lake, hiking in the mountains, eating downtown, and enjoying water sports on the lake! It’s the perfect girlfriend getaway in all seasons. I love it the best in the summer and the winter! Check out my McCall winter guide here.
If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend in McCall or want to celebrate a bachelorette party, I’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of my favorite adventurous and luxurious activities you can do to have a wonderful girls’ weekend in McCall, Idaho!
The Ultimate Girls Weekend in McCall Idaho
Where to Stay in McCall
There are some really great places to stay in McCall that I highly recommend!
Airbnb or VRBO Rental
If you can find one, my top recommendation would be to rent a cabin or condo on Payette Lake with dock/beach access. This would be my personal ideal, but sometimes these are expensive and not always in the cards. Here are some that I would personally look into!
Shore Lodge
Another option if you are able to splurge is to stay at The Shore Lodge. It’s a beautiful resort located right on the lake and close to downtown McCall. They have a beach, offer boat rentals, have a pool, a few great restaurants on the property, a fun bar, and the Cove Spa (this is my personal favorite amenity for a spa day)!
Read Reviews | Book Your Stay at Shore Lodge
Scandia Inn
Scandia Inn is another great option with a modern, Scandinavian-designed vibe near downtown McCall!
Read Reviews | Book Your Stay at Scandia Inn
Camp in Ponderosa State Park
If you’d rather have a more rustic stay in McCall, I recommend camping or staying in a cabin at Ponderosa State Park. This is a beautiful park that covers 1,000 acres on Payette Lake in McCall.
Book Your Stay at Ponderosa State Park
Getting to McCall
You’ll want a car to get to McCall. The closest airport is Boise Airport, and you can rent your car at the airport. The drive to McCall is about 2 hours north of Boise. On big weekends there can be a lot of traffic, so if you can leave during work hours on Fridays, you’ll be in the clear! I recommend gassing up in Boise before you leave for McCall. The drive is beautiful, although a bit windy as you’ll be passing through the mountains along the Payette River, so be sure to keep your eyes on the road!
What to Do on a Girl’s Weekend in McCall Stay in McCall, Idaho
Have a spa day at the Cove Spa
The Cove Spa is located right at Shore Lodge! It features immersion pools and a full-service menu. Spend your day relaxing with your girls while indulging in their spa services. Get a facial or massage, or simply float around in the pool. Note: They are constantly changing their rules, and at the time I booked my last spa treatment, you could only use the spa if you were a guest at the Shore Lodge. Be sure to check that out beforehand!
I love coming here in the morning and then having lunch at the spa. You can just order from the phone in the spa before or after your service. I highly recommend booking this as far in advance as you can!
Stroll around downtown McCall
McCall downtown is super cute and quaint, and there are plenty of things to do in the morning or afternoon! Check out my favorite spots to eat in McCall at the bottom of this post. If you’re looking for food for different palettes, try The Spot, a new food truck park located right downtown. You’ll also find a few different cute souvenir shops, a thrift store, and art shops!
Party on the Payette Pedal Party boat
If you want to have a blast with your girlfriends, the Payette Pedal Party boat might be the ticket. The boat is technically a cycle boat—a pontoon boat with a paddle wheel in the back—and it’s powered by the pedaling of the passengers aboard, but they will kick in the motor if you get tired. The cycle boat can accommodate up to 15 people and includes ten pedal stations and a lounge area in the front for non-pedaling passengers.
The tour lasts 2 hours and picks you up downtown at Art Robert’s Park. They’ll take you around the south on the South side of Payette Lake. They have a captain, deckhand, lifejackets, coolers, ice, and fun paddle shot-skis! You’ll just want to bring your own beverages and snacks. The paddle boat is also shaded, so you don’t have to worry about a sunburn (although I always recommend sunscreen). They also have great music on board, but you can also play your own via Bluetooth! See my Instagram reel of my experience of the tour! Use my code SPUD15 for 15% off your booking!
Go on the McCall Ale Trail
If you’re in a group that loves beer, why not try the McCall Ale Trail? You can either do it on your own or pick up an Ale Trail “passport” at the McCall Chamber of Commerce or any of the breweries listed. Then, you can go enjoy local beers at each location, and if you finish it at the end, you can turn it in for a commemorative koozie! Breweries that participate are Broken Horn Brewing, McCall Brewing, and Salmon River Brewing, along with a few other restaurants (10 spots in total).
Are you a big beer lover? Check out the best breweries in Idaho!
Enjoy water sports on the Payette Lake
Payette Lake is beautiful, and it’s a great place to spend the day! You can go boating, waterskiing, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, and jet skiing, and most of this can be rented in town! Water sports are usually the highlight of my trips to McCall, whether it’s a cocktail cruise or a day of water skiing.
You can rent water sports gear from quite a few places in town. I recommend trying the Mile High Marina and Cheap Thrillz.
There are over 130 soakable hot springs in Idaho, and McCall, Idaho, has a few for you to enjoy. While there are some natural, hidden hot springs in the area, I recommend visiting Gold Fork Hot Springs, Burgdorf Hot Springs, or Mundo Hot Springs for a group soak! You will have to pay to go to these, but you’ll get your hot springs fix in the mountains!
Go hiking
There are 300+ alpine lakes hidden in the mountains around McCall. This means there are tons of incredible hikes! Here’s a list of my favorites, but one of my favorite easier hikes is Louie Lake, and the views at the top of the lake and mountains are insane. It’s the perfect hike for a girl’s weekend since it’s not too hard and won’t take all day.
Another scenic lake hike is the Payette Lake Peninsula Trail in Ponderosa State Park, which is 10 minutes north of McCall, Idaho. This easy 4-mile trail offers great views of the lake since you will be walking alongside it. It’s lovely to enjoy during any season!
The state park does have a $10 fee to enter, but the serene atmosphere makes it completely worth paying the small price. A perfect addition to add to your weekend getaway.
The ski mountain in McCall, Brundage Mountain, also has great hiking and mountain biking trails if that’s something you’re into!
Visit Ponderosa State Park
Ponderosa State Park is a beautiful park located on Payette Lake. There are some really great hikes in the area and also some great camping spots if you’d rather camp in McCall. There are also some public beaches to enjoy, and it’s a wonderful place to potentially see some wildlife like deer and osprey! Definitely be sure to drive or hike up to Osprey Point for beautiful views of the lake!
Eat & pick huckleberries
Huckleberries are a popular berry that grows in Idaho in the summer. They are smaller than a blueberry and a little more sour, but so good! Try huckleberry everything while in McCall. The gift shop in town also has a ton of huckleberry items. I recommend trying 44 North, the huckleberry vodka, and then also trying the huckleberry pancakes and syrup, ice cream, and shakes. All are amazing!
Picking huckleberries is a family-friendly activity that is great to add to any girl’s getaway weekend.
Go horseback riding
There are a ton of trails in McCall to go horseback riding in the mountains, and the views are to die for! I recommend Ya-Hoo Corrals.
This excursion is excellent for those who love outdoor adventures with their girls!
Attend a McCall event
There are fun events in McCall all year round! Some of my favorites are the 4th of July celebration and the McCall Winter Carnival. Check here for the most updated events, festivals, and concerts.
Where to eat in McCall, Idaho
Breakfast, Brunch, Coffee, and Cafes
Brunchette on the Lake – This is a popular, Instagram-able brunch spot with huge portions on the lake. They also have mimosa towers!
6 Three 4 – This is a converted gas station that is now grab and go cafe and coffee shop. You can order at the counter and enjoy it in the shop or out on their patio. They have great food!
Fogglifter Cafe – This is a cute and small little cafe serving yummy breakfast and coffee.
Stacey Cakes – If you love delectable baked goods, this is the perfect spot!
North Fork Coffee Roasters – This is a great spot to grab a coffee as you’re walking around town.
Lunch and Dinner
My Father’s Place – Their burger, fries, and shakes are so good. This restaurant is a must, in my opinion!
Bistro 45 – This is a great spot for lunch or dinner. They are a great spot for wine and a salad or sandwich while playing a game of bocce ball.
For a nicer dinner, go to Steamers, Rupert’s at Hotel McCall, or The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge
The Sushi Bar -This place is always sooo busy when I’m in McCall, so have never eaten here, but so many people swear this place is delicious!
Salmon River Brewing – This is a brewery and pub serving food and is located right on the water!
Ragazzo Di Lago – Meditteranean food with views of the lake
KB Burritos and Staxx are both great spots for a grab-and-go lunch!
The Spot – This is a new food truck park downtown where you can find a selection of different grub!
Bars and Dessert
Go out on the town and hit up Foresters and the Yacht Club. These are the two main bars on the main street, and they are poppin’ off on the weekends!
Go to the famous and favorite ice cream shop, Ice Cream Alley, for a cone! You will not be disappointed.
Have a drink or brunch on the water at the Cutwater at Shore Lodge.
Anything else you want to add to the list of things to do for a girl’s weekend in McCall, Idaho? If you’re looking to have a bachelorette in McCall, be sure to add some of the above to your activity list! Also, check out my girlfriend’s getaway guide to Sun Valley, Idaho, if you’re heading that way.
READ NEXT:
The 18 Best Restaurants in McCall, Idaho
8 Best Hikes Near McCall Idaho
What to Do in McCall Idaho in the Winter
The 12 Best Places to Visit in Idaho
How fun! We love McCall too! I’ve been to alot of those places you mentioned. Our family has a home in New Meadows . I love spending our summers there.
I was wondering where the swinging bridge is?
Anita
It really is a special place! It’s a few miles from Smith’s Ferry and somewhat hard to find, but this map sort of shows where it is! http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAT50_Big_Eddy_Bridge_Idaho