Why Shore Lodge Should Be Your Top Travel Destination for 2025

A new year always brings the promise of new adventures! Identifying where to go, however, can often be a challenge. With 50 states and 195 recognized countries to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. But we’re here to help simplify your decision-making process. While it may be biased, we strongly recommend considering Shore Lodge as your mountain-lake destination for 2025. Here are three travel trends for 2025, as reported by Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, that may convince you to place Shore Lodge at the top of your travel list.

You’re never too young or old to start checking things off your bucket list. From bioluminescent bays to black sand beaches to the Northern Lights, natural phenomena play a significant role in many travelers’ decisions about where to plan their next trip. What if we told you that you could cross one of those bucket list items off right here? It’s a rare sighting, but it’s possible! With nearly 42% of Americans prioritizing aurora chasing over other bucket list experiences, according to a survey commissioned by Expedia, you can chase these vibrant displays of light at Shore Lodge.

We really can’t blame you if you have no idea why you should correlate McCall, Idaho, with the Northern Lights. Most people connect this stunning natural phenomenon with Alaska, Iceland, or Greenland.

However, with some luck and patience, our little city will experience the Northern Lights in 2025 due to the sun’s peak in its 11-year solar cycle. Following the severe geomagnetic storm in October 2024, the night sky above our marina filled with stunning hues of green and red—something that, as cliché as it may sound, is truly a sight to behold in person.

Planning for this experience requires attention to timing and seasonality. It’s important to do your research, as the best months for viewing are generally October, November, February, and March, especially when the KP index is 6 or higher. This allows you to witness the Northern Lights from our sandy beach.

Recently awarded as one of the best places to visit in North America and the Caribbean in 2025 by Condé Nast Traveler is Boise, Idaho. Finally! Our beloved state is getting the recognition it deserves and is standing tall next to destinations like Barbuda or Cuba. A striking contrast from our neck of the woods (literally). However, a new travel trend is emerging: the popularity of detour destinations. Situated only two hours north of Boise, McCall feels like a world apart. Make sure to include it in your itinerary, whether as an add-on to your trip or as your final destination. You won’t be disappointed.

One day is not enough to explore McCall. You wouldn’t even begin to scratch the surface of our mountain-lake destination’s incredible wonders. Just one day could be dedicated to indulging in the amenities of our boutique resort.

Start your morning by enjoying the sunrise over the Salmon River Mountains as it illuminates the lodge. Afterward, head to The Cutwater on Payette Lake for a hearty breakfast, but be careful not to fill up too much before you head to your very necessary spa day at The Cove. After your soothing spa treatment, take a dip in our saltwater immersion pools. Once your soak is complete, enjoy lounging poolside or lakeside at Payette Lake. You can sunbathe, swim, or choose from our various water sport rentals if you’re looking for some action. Afterward, freshen up for an early dinner at The Narrows Steakhouse, the definitive Idaho steakhouse. And remember to leave a little room for dessert by heading back to the pool area for some delicious roasted s’mores. This itinerary doesn’t even account for the countless opportunities to explore McCall itself (more on that later). So, when planning your trip to Boise, remember to include McCall as your must-visit detour destination.

Unlike its counterpart, FOMO (the fear of missing out), JOMO (the joy of missing out) is quite the opposite. While the constructs of social media fuel FOMO, JOMO is the conscious choice to put the phone down, disconnect from online life, and enjoy the present moment. Back to a time when you could have dinner without seeing the entire table glued to their phones or when people didn’t hyper-fixate on getting the best selfie or shot. JOMO offers the opportunity to relax, disconnect, and protect your sense of peace. And what better place to disconnect than McCall with Shore Lodge as your base camp? Regardless of the season, we’re surrounded by untamed wilderness ready to be explored. Each season presents you with an exciting adventure, and that’s the beauty of travel: putting yourself into new experiences you haven’t had before.

Wakeboard on Payette Lake for some lake day fun. Bundle up for a backcountry excursion on a snowmobile through sheets of snow to reach Burgdorf Hot Springs. Make the conscious decision to gift yourself a spring break because kids shouldn’t be allowed to have all the fun, and book a family ski trip to Brundage Mountain. Or put the pedal to the metal on off-beaten roads for a thrilling ATV ride.

We hope your 2025 is filled with adventure and exploration. And if you’re considering booking a stay at Shore Lodge, don’t wait! Bookings are open for 2025, so get planning.