The Essence of McCall

Over 110 years ago, Idaho was forever changed after the incorporation of an off-the-grid mountain-lake town by the name of McCall, Idaho. Now known for its remote locale, unpretentious luxuries, and adventurous atmosphere, McCall has attracted tens of thousands of travelers and is on trend to become one of the top year-round travel destinations in the Rocky Mountain West.

But what exactly is the essence of McCall?

What is the secret behind this low-key luxurious mountain town? And how did such an off-the-grid location become the sought-after resort destination we know today? Shore Lodge is digging deep to find the roots of the culture of McCall, Idaho!

The Force of Nature

With a glacial lake in the heart of town, thousands of old-growth Ponderosa Pines, and too many hiking trails to count, McCall is a natural oasis packed with outdoor adventures both on land and on water. The natural abundances of McCall are not only inviting to out of towners and travelers but also locals – many of whom chose to relocate to McCall for the wealth of nature alone. Experience the natural splendor of McCall, Idaho, for yourself and check out these local natural attractions.

Natural Attractions in McCall, Idaho

• Narrows Overlook
• Davis Beach
• Riverfront Park
• Wild Horse Park
• Tower Rock

High-Altitude Flavor

The food scene in McCall is hard to ignore. Known throughout Idaho for its distinguished flavors, McCall’s offerings range from family-friendly meals, elevated fine dining, local cold brews, complex craft cocktails, and everything in between. The common denominator between all the restaurants and bars of McCall is the commitment to working with ingredients in season and grown right here in The Gem State. The winter harvests of Idaho add plenty of squash, potatoes, and apples to local menus, while the fall season yields lots of heirloom tomatoes, pears, and greens. Spring & summer harvests bring lots of color and flavor, including morel mushrooms, basil, cucumbers, and grapefruit. Taste the high-altitude flavors of McCall, Idaho, at any of Shore Lodge’s restaurants!

Shore Lodge Restaurants in McCall, Idaho

• The Cutwater on Payette Lake – A family-friendly lakeside dining establishment.
• The Narrows Steakhouse – An elevated steakhouse with an award-winning wine selection.
• The Bar – The finest spirits, cocktails, and eats with a lake view speakeasy atmosphere.
• The Coffee Shop – Elevated grab & go proudly brewing Starbucks® Coffee.

For Generations to Come

Much like Shore Lodge, McCall was built to last. Every aspect of our mountain-town was built with longevity in mind to ensure that future generations would have the chance to experience the incredible exploits and culture McCall has to offer. This tenet of McCall’s culture lends itself to a level of respect and appreciation for future generations that surpasses “family-friendliness.” In McCall, we’re all about “family first.”

Families can explore the town’s rich history in the Central Idaho Historical Museum, where they can go back in time and discover the wonders of a McCall gone by. Children also tend to be intrigued by the legend of Sharlie, the friendly Payette Lake monster and one of McCall’s oldest residents. Other than history and folklore, McCall has designated plenty of natural escapades for children. Check out the local McCall playgrounds throughout town.

• Brown Park – 1500 E. Lake St., McCall, ID. 83638
• Rotary Park – 333 W. Lake St., McCall, ID. 83638
• Legacy Park – 1120 E. Lake St., McCall, ID. 83638

The essence of McCall is…

Nothing short of mountain-lake magic. You can feel it coming on when you’re driving up the scenic byway, you can feel yourself immersed in it when you’re here, and you can feel it being wistfully left behind when you’re leaving town. This magic is the source of McCall’s culture; it’s the driving force behind McCall’s tourism; it’s the essence of every single day spent in McCall.

Experience McCall, Idaho for yourself, and plan a trip to Shore Lodge, McCall’s luxury lakeside resort. Located on the shores of Payette Lake and boasting views of the salmon-river mountains, Shore Lodge features mountain-modern guest rooms, luxe resort amenities, plenty of dining options, and a distinguished spa. As if that weren’t enough, Shore Lodge is also home to McCall’s only movie theater! Book your mountain-magic trip to McCall, Idaho by contacting one of Shore Lodge’s reservations agents at 208.634.2244 or by email at reservations@shorelodge.com