Ponderosa State Park is a public recreation area and state park occupying a peninsula in Payette Lake on the northeast edge of McCall in Valley County, Idaho, United States. The park's 1,515 acres (613 ha) include a second unit, called North Beach, located six miles (9.7 km) north of McCall at the northern extremity of the lake.[3][4] Ponderosa is a popular park for day use and camping. In 2020, the park recorded 392,417 day users and 78,081 campers making it the 5th most visited state park in Idaho that year.[5] There is a motor vehicle entry fee of $7.00 per vehicle, per day for both Idaho residents and non-residents. Idaho residents can purchase an Idaho State Parks Passport for $10 per vehicle, per year which will give them unlimited access to Ponderosa State Park and any other state park for the year.[6]
Recreation
The park has hiking and biking trails, guided walks, evening programs, beaches, picnic areas, and ample opportunities for wildlife watching.[1] Common wildlife within the park includes Canada geese, osprey, bald eagles, wood ducks, mallards, songbirds, deer, moose, beaver, muskrats and even bears. Water recreation enthusiasts can rent canoes and kayaks or make use of the boat ramp and various docks to access Payette Lake. In the winter, the park provides groomed trails for Nordic skiing and signed trails for snowshoeing.[4]
Amenities & Accommodations
The main unit of Ponderosa State Park on the peninsula offers reservable cabin and yurt rentals for overnight stays in addition to almost 200 campsites (tent and RV), seven of which are ADA accessible. Campsites within the peninsula section of the park include water and electric hook-ups and campers have access to three bath houses with hot showers and flush toilets. Pets are permitted in the park and must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted on beaches or in the cabin rentals. The Northwest Passage Campground located in the North Beach unit of the park offers 22 non-reservable, more primitive campsites with access to vault toilets.[4]
Education
Ponderosa State Park is home to the University of Idaho’s McCall Field Campus.[7] This campus hosts the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) which offers educational opportunities to K12 youth, graduate students, teachers, and members of the community as well as the University of Idaho’s Master of Natural Resources in Environmental Education and Science Communication program.[8] The park also hosts a Junior Ranger Program for youth ages 6-12.[3]
