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Print Friendly MapValley County Pathways, a nonprofit responsible for the rural Idaho county's ambitious trails plan, spearheaded the construction of the popular North Valley Rail Trail as its centerpiece. The trail currently stretches between McCall and a point west of the unincorporated community of Lake Fork, using a portion of a long-abandoned Union Pacific Railroad corridor. Plans call for the eventual completion of the rail-trail along the length of the Long Valley, ultimately stretching more than 30 miles from McCall to Cascade.
For now, the scenic trail runs for more than 5 miles through land once used as summer pasture for livestock from southwestern Idaho’s Treasure Valley. Closer to McCall, the trail is paved (with a short on-road section near McCall Municipal Airport), but the southern half of the trail features a natural surface kinder to equestrian users. A short disconnected segment heads north from Lake Fork Road but dead ends at private farmland.
McCall is Valley County's largest city and is now famous as an all-weather resort town. In the summer, Payette Lake is popular with swimmers and boaters, while in the winter, the city transforms into a hub for alpine and cross-country skiers. Restaurants, shops and a historic hotel can be found along E. Lake Street in McCall (and the immediate vicinity), just two blocks north of the North Valley Rail Trail's trailhead.
Parking for the North Valley Rail Trail is available at McCall City Hall (216 E. Park Street, McCall) and Harshman Skate Park (off Idaho Street, McCall).
This is an incredible non-motorized detached trail for anyone from McCall wanting to walk, bike, run, cross country ski. It is approximately 5.7miles in one direction. For those living out on or close to the trail it is a great way to commute to town.
We like the non- motorized trail and use it daily for commuting and weekend rides. Our children have a safe way to get home from school on bikes. For last two years we have been using the trail even in the winter! The trail gets groomed and is free of charge for wither recreation.
The map is a little out of date as there is now a connection between the north end and the south end. I ride this trail several times a week until the snow gets too deep (May to the end of December or late November). It is used as a ski/snowshoe route the rest of the year. Although short at the moment it is quite scenic as it passes by lovely rural areas and a wildlife pond. Another of this trail's attributes is that it allows a user to access the quiet road systems that lie south of town while bypassing a sometimes busy connector. At present the trail ends at Heinrich Lane. A point of interest not too far from the south end of the trail is a piece of public property that lies along the Payette River. It is one of only a few public river access points south of McCall. To access this area turn left at the junction with Heinrich lane and proceed due west for about 2 miles until the road meets the river. The road turns to gravel after about 1/2 mile and at about 1 1/2 miles there is a good hill . At the bottom of the hill is a large log house with a paved driveway and log fence. The access to the river is the primitive road that runs to the right of the log fence.
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