Follow The Payette River Along This Scenic Drive Through Idaho
By Courtnie Erickson|Published June 04, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
It is no secret that Idaho is home to some of the most majestic rivers. While you can always enjoy these bodies of water with a fishing pole in hand or on a kayak, sometimes the best views can be captured right from the front seat of your own car. The Payette River National Scenic Byway is one scenic drive in Idaho where you will follow the gorgeous Payette River. You will travel through four counties and several small towns, over historic bridges, and even past man-made lakes and state parks. This scenic byway in Idaho is certainly one road you’ll want to explore.
The Payette River National Scenic Byway in Idaho follows Idaho Highway 55 and is 112 miles long. You will travel from the Greater Boise area to the junction of U.S. Highway 95 in New Meadows on this scenic drive.
The road follows the gorgeous Payette River along Highway 55. You’ll certainly want to stop along your drive to capture the stunning mountain and river views.
This road is open throughout the year, but be careful during the winter months when it can become quite icy and dangerous.
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As you travel north, you will pass through many small towns including Horseshoe Bend and Banks. Horseshoe Bend, for example, is a small town with a population of fewer than 1,000 people. It was named after the large U-turn of the Payette River in the area.
Rainbow Bridge spans the North Fork of the Payette River. This historic bridge was built in 1933 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As you continue your scenic drive, you’ll come to one of the most impressive human-made attractions in Idaho: Lake Cascade. This reservoir is the fourth-largest lake in Idaho and features a surface area of 47 miles.
During your visit, you can spend the day on the water or even just relax on the beach. There are many camping opportunities around Lake Cascade State Park if you want to spend multiple days exploring the area.
For another relaxing stop on this scenic drive in Idaho, check out Gold Fork Hot Springs in the small town of Donnelly.
This hot spring resort is located approximately six miles from the scenic byway and features everything you need for a relaxing visit. You will find six mineral pools that range in temperature from 98 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
And of course, you’ll want to take some time to admire the beautiful mountain town of McCall, spend some time near Payette Lake, and even visit Ponderosa State Park. There are so many attractions and things to do in this one area that you’ll have to narrow down your options.
If possible, we recommend you take several days to explore this beautiful part of Idaho. Consider booking a stay at the Shore Lodge, a waterfront hotel with gorgeous views of Payette Lake, to ensure you can cross off everything on your bucket list.
Finally, you will arrive in the small town of New Meadows to complete your drive on one of the most incredible scenic byways in Idaho.
Have you ever traveled along the Payette River National Scenic Byway in Idaho? Did you enjoy the gorgeous views of the Payette River? Did you stop anywhere along your way? Let us know all about your drive in the comments!
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