Having lived and traveled all around Idaho, I have visited many of its charming mountain towns. Each one has something to offer, but there is one that has always captured my attention. It’s a town that’s filled with natural beauty, community spirit, delightful mom-and-pop shops, and so much more. It is the charming mountain town of McCall, and in my opinion, it should be the next Hallmark movie location. Here’s why.
McCall is a beautiful small town tucked in the mountains of west central Idaho, north of Boise. It’s located on the shores of Payette Lake and nestled within the Payette National Forest. It’s a resort town that attracts thousands of visitors every year. And while there are many reasons why people travel hundreds of miles to spend time in this small town, one of McCall’s main draws is its incredible outdoor activities. Due to its location on the shore of Payette Lake, in the summer, it’s a gorgeous place for boating, fishing, and swimming. In the winter, you can spot ice fishers and even a few ice skaters on the frozen lake.
A portion of Payette Lake sits within Ponderosa State Park, one of the most beautiful state parks in Idaho. Here, you can camp, mountain bike, or hike. Osprey Point is one of the most popular viewpoints within this state park, and is where you can sit and see the lake and mountains for miles. Is this a perfect place for a movie scene? I’d say so.
Brundage Mountain Resort and Tamarack Resort are popular winter destinations near McCall with beautiful views and bucket-list-worthy slopes. There’s also the McCall Activity Barn. Here, smiles are big as individuals of all ages can spend an afternoon snow tubing or exploring groomed ski trails. Of course, there are also many trails in the mountains and forests, perfect for a winter adventure or even a summer day hike.
And while the outdoors is just the beginning of the prime filming locations in the area, you can’t forget about McCall’s downtown. In this small town, you won’t find many franchises or large chain stores. Rather, as you walk along the beautiful streets, you’ll find locally owned shops with large and highly decorated display windows.
And just like every Hallmark movie has some sort of small-town festival, McCall hosts all types of community events, such as the McCall Winter Carnival. This is not only a town favorite, but one of our favorite winter festivals in Idaho. This multi-day festival is packed with activities and impressive snow sculptures all throughout town.
Of course, you can’t forget about Shore Lodge, one of the most beautiful places to stay in town. Located right on the lake, you’ll find gorgeous accommodations, fine dining, and luxury spa services. Even just spending a few hours here will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a Hallmark movie set. It’s the ultimate mountain and lake destination…