Sweater Weather Reading
Mountain-lake resorts are known for active summers on the lake, and winters on the ski slopes. But the months in between have a cadence all of their own. From October through the holiday season, the quieter, slower pace in town is reflected at the resort, with fewer crowds when enjoying the amenities and more opportunities to secure reservations at the spa and dining outlets. If you're in the ‘sweater weather’ mindset, then Shore Lodge has the ingredients for a perfect fall getaway.
At an elevation of roughly 5,000 feet, McCall experiences fall on its own schedule. Sunny days and crisp nights move the season along, changing the landscape surrounding Payette Lake before the first snow arrives. The colors stand out against the evergreen forests and reflect across the water, giving guests a clear view of the transition from nearly anywhere around the resort.
With seasonal flavors on the menu and outdoor excursions sprinkled with golden leaves, you’ll have plenty of ways to get your fall fix. Browse through the entire magazine or use the navigation at the top to point you in the direction you want to go.
One of the best parts of staying at Shore Lodge is having plenty to do without leaving the property. When the marina closes for the season, a different collection of resort experiences takes its place. As the saying goes, if you know, you know- but to get all past and future guests to be in the know, we have put together a list of our favorite ways to experience the resort when staying this season.
Pickleball Courts
Pick up equipment at the Front Desk with your previous request and head to Shore Lodge’s outdoor pickleball courts for a friendly match. Courts are first-come, first-served and open from 8:30am until dark, weather permitting. A “play date” you surely wouldn’t want to miss.
Movie Theater
Choose a film from our extensive 800+ movie library and watch it on the big screen in our 43-seat Theater. Fresh popcorn is available at the concession stand, making the movie experience complete.
The Tank
Have you heard of a cooler game room than this? Located just beside The Cutwater on Payette Lake, a 2,000-gallon tank filled with tropical marine life (the only one you will find in the area) sets the scene for an afternoon of foosball, giant Connect Four, puzzles, and classic board games. A perfect complement, whether you decided to stay in for the day or are coming back from an adventure-filled outing.
Heated Outdoor Pool and Hot Tubs
With views of Payette Lake, the heated pool and hot tubs make the cooler weather part of the experience. The contrast between the warm water and crisp mountain air becomes even better once snow begins to appear across the peaks.
Cruiser Bikes
Available through Guest Services, weather permitting. Reserve yours during daylight hours and through mid-fall, and follow the nearby pathways for an easy ride through McCall’s changing scenery.
Nightly S’mores
Each night, gather at the lakeside fire pit and roast marshmallows from Shore Lodge’s s’mores bar as the evening settles over Payette Lake. Your S'mores Kit comes with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, ready to join the crackles of the pit and get roasted. Or should we say… toasted!
Turndown Service
Our way of ensuring your room is ready for a great night's sleep. Cue the music, plus fresh-baked cookies left on your nightstand.
Guest Room Amenities
Guest rooms come appointed with coffee, bathrobes, and amenities from The Cove, while select accommodations offer a fireplace for an extra touch of warmth. If the robe proves too difficult to leave behind, or you want to bring more spa products home, visit the boutique at The Cove to purchase.
Fall Vacation Mode
This time of year, is perfect for a weekend getaway, mid-week retreat, or vacation centered around a holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at Shore Lodge have become traditions for those who return year after year. Trading the meal prep for time spent enjoying McCall or resort amenities, and still getting to gather for a celebratory feast means more time to make memorable moments. Read more about what’s planned for the celebrations in Gather Around the Table.
After a day spent outside, return to a warm basecamp inside. Shore Lodge has 77 guest rooms that offer many options that suits the way our guests travel. From a Lakeview Suite with a seating area directly on the lake, to guest suites large enough for a family to stay, we can accommodate for a range of needs. Take a closer look at the accommodations here.
"Fall is a wonderful time to come see us at The Cove. The weather is cooler, the immersion pools are warm, and the fire pit is ready for you to relax around. It’s a great way to spend a few hours tucked away, treating yourself to a massage or facial and relaxing in our facilities."
- Nicole De Rosa, Spa Director
Warm Pools, Crisp Air
The Gem State is home to over 120 hot springs, the spa’s inspiration for its indoor/outdoor immersion pools, forged from 6,000 pounds of local boulders. And by design, there are only two requirements here: lounging and lollygagging. Available exclusively to spa guests, soak in our immersion pools for up to two hours after your treatment.
When the cooler weather starts to settle into McCall, the contrast between the crisp mountain air and the perfect 102-degree water of the pools soothes muscles and relaxes minds - one of The Cove’s greatest luxuries. The indoor pool and sauna offer a warmer alternative, allowing guests to indulge in either amenity to extend the spa day. This is lollygagging with purpose, and fall may be the best season for it.
Treatments for Fall
How you spend the day at The Cove may depend on how you spend your days outside. A day spent hiking or biking may call for a recovery-focused massage such as the Big Game. Up the indulgence by adding a hand or foot hydrator treatment, with warm paraffin applied to the hands, feet, or both, an especially welcome addition once temperatures drop. Or a summer spent in the sun may make a hydrating facial like the Forest Flora an ideal choice.
But if your skin needs a head-to-toe boost, body scrubs are the perfect treatment, offering a combination of exfoliation and hydration. The Clearwater Scrub, a guest favorite, begins with dry-glove exfoliation, then uses raw cane sugar, adds an infusion of fruit and herb extracts, and exfoliates dull, dry skin from head to toe. Finish with a soothing body butter application, and you’ll emerge silky and renewed. Or try the Power Plant Polisher, which features hydrating stone crop products.
Both use Eminence Organics, available in the boutique to build your home routine.
Spa Day, Your Way
The occasion can shape the experience, as well. On a girls’ getaway, treatments may be the starting point before everyone reconvenes for some small delicacies around the pools. Couples can also make The Cove part of a weekend built around leisurely dinners and uninterrupted time together. A couple's massage, continued with a cocktail by the fire pit, and some time spent in the indoor immersion pool. For the solo guest, the appeal is complete control of the afternoon: what to book, where to settle in, and how long to indulge in your stay.
Extend the Experience
Then there is the benefit of having Shore Lodge just beyond the spa. An afternoon at The Cove can lead directly to cocktails at The Bar, dinner at The Narrows Steakhouse, and an overnight stay overlooking Payette Lake. No additional transportation or change of setting is required.
The experience can also continue at home. A plush The Cove robe adds a familiar layer of comfort on cold winter mornings, while a few drops of Eminence Organics Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil can help soothe, hydrate, and plump skin during the drier months.
A treatment may begin the visit, but the pools, sauna, dining, and time reserved for yourself are what turn The Cove into the ultimate adventure in luxury.
Reserve your treatment online or call us at 208.630.0280.
A day out in McCall might begin with a simple question: Could we go fly-fishing? The Shore Lodge concierge is available to share local recommendations, suggest a scenic drive, and help arrange a guided outing. Start there, then see where the day takes you.
At Shore Lodge, adventure begins at the front door. Fall beckons us to seek what’s beyond the shoreline, following the changing colors through town and into the surrounding wilderness. Whether you are looking for an afternoon off-site or an all-day adventure, you can do both and make Shore Lodge your basecamp.
DOWNTOWN McCALL
Only minutes down Lake Street, you enter downtown McCall. The resort's complimentary shuttle makes it easy to leave the car behind and explore the mountain-lake town at your own pace. Follow the McCall Recreation Pathways toward lakefront parks, pause along the water at Legacy Park, or let the afternoon lead you into local shops, restaurants, bakeries, and galleries. The Visit McCall directory offers a helpful guide to local businesses, while its events calendar highlights what is happening throughout the area during your stay. Downtown is close enough for an unplanned outing and familiar enough to invite a second visit before your stay is over.
PONDEROSA STATE PARK
Just outside downtown, McCall’s landscape opens into adventure in nearly every direction. Within approximately five to ten minutes by car, Ponderosa State Park extends north from town along a peninsula surrounded by Payette Lake. Its wooded trails offer lake views and quiet places to watch for wildlife among the changing trees.
BEAR BASIN TRAIL SYSTEM
West of McCall, within Payette National Forest, the Bear Basin Trail System offers hiking and mountain biking routes through meadows and ponderosa forest. Some arrive to log miles, while others simply follow the trail until they find the best view.
UPPER NORTH FORK, THE MEANDERS
For a guided experience, local outfitters can arrange fly-fishing lessons, float trips, and walk-and-wade excursions based on seasonal conditions. Seasonal canoeing and kayaking also provide a quieter way to explore the landscape from the water. Guests can also explore The Meanders by canoe or kayak, following the Upper North Fork of the Payette River through one of the area’s most recognizable waterways. Equipment rentals and guided outings may be available through local outfitters, giving both first-time paddlers and experienced guests an easy way to plan time on the water.
BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN
Travel about twenty minutes farther, and Brundage Mountain rises into the day. Before snow takes hold, its mountain trails offer another perspective on the season. Access and activities depend on the current trail conditions and the mountain's operating calendar, so check before setting out. Once winter operations begin, hiking boots and bicycles give way to skis and snowboards, and an entirely different McCall adventure takes shape. Never a moment to miss, here in McCall.
GOLD FORK HOT SPRINGS
For a longer scenic drive, of approximately forty-five to ninety minutes, turn toward the region's natural hot springs. Gold Fork Hot Springs, near Donelly, offers mineral pools surrounded by forest. It’s a natural and beautiful setting that both locals and visitors keep top of mind whenever planning a getaway within a getaway.
LOUIE LAKE TRAIL
Farther out North-East, also within the national forest, Louie Lake Trail climbs steadily toward an alpine lake beneath the cliffs of Jughandle Mountain. The hike to the lake is relatively short but uphill, and to reach the trailhead, you'll travel along Boulder Lake Road. Guests should check road and trail conditions before setting out, particularly later in the fall.
BURGDORF HOT SPRINGS
Further into Payette National Forest, near the historic community of Warren, Burgdorf Hot Springs feels like a destination from another time. Located approximately 32 miles north of McCall, Burgdorf is accessible by car during the summer and fall and by snowmobile in winter. Access varies with weather and road conditions, and advance reservations are required, so guests should confirm current details before including Burgdorf in their itinerary.
SECESH STOP
Continue along Warren Wagon Road, and the drive leads to Secesh Stage Stop, an off-grid backcountry destination 34 miles north of McCall. Part bar and grill, part gathering place, the Stage Stop is known for its burgers and fresh hand-cut fries. During September and October, guests can drive directly to the property, traveling 29 miles on pavement, followed by 5 miles on a dirt road. It is the kind of stop that makes the journey into the backcountry part of the day’s experience.
Ready to explore more of McCall?
Our Concierge is always at the ready with local recommendations and help arranging your next adventure beyond our shoreline. Explore Fall Adventures for some inspiration, then call 800.657.6464 and ask for the Concierge, or email info@shorelodge.com to plan the details.
Fall changes the way people find at Shore Lodge. Across the resort, the season appears differently. From a five-course exclusive Wine Dinner, supported by an extensive cellar at The Narrows Steakhouse for guests to indulge in every visit to weekly traditions at The Cutwater on Payette Lake, and an explosive round of flavors at The Bar. The Fall menus will introduce seasonal ingredients and new preparations alongside the dishes that guests return for year after year.
The fall menus bring new ingredients and preparations alongside the dishes guests return for year after year. At The Narrows Steakhouse, Chef’s approach gives each course the attention an evening out deserves. The Cutwater on Payette Lake offers a relaxed place for dinner with family or friends, while The Bar makes room for a drink, a bite, and a longer conversation.
Evening Eats!
Starting in October, the Fall Weekly Specials give guests a reason to make dinner plans every day of the week.
Mondays belong to Down-Home Idaho at The Cutwater on Payette Lake. Beginning October 12, the menu offers the comfort of a full supper: Snake River Farms glazed meatloaf, crispy Southern-fried chicken, fish fry, country-fried steak, or chicken and dumplings. Each entrée comes with garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a biscuit.
On Tuesdays, TNT: Tacos & Tequila brings carne asada, pork carnitas, and Baja fish tacos to The Bar. Pico de gallo, cabbage, cilantro, lime, and lime-garlic crema finish each taco. Guests can order a Blackberry Margarita or choose from The Bar’s craft tequilas and mezcals. TNT begins October 13.
Then, on October 14, Burger Meisters Wanted begins its Wednesday run at The Cutwater on Payette Lake. The four choices cover plenty of ground: the 10 Chili Fire Alarm Burger, the meat-free White Bean Burger, the Smokehouse Burger with huckleberry barbecue sauce, and the Double R Ranch Mac Daddy Burger. Fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, and kettle chips are among the sides.
From the Cellar
Wine has long been part of dinner at The Narrows Steakhouse. Its list holds more than 500 selections, and Wine Spectator awarded the restaurant its Best of Award of Excellence for 2026, continuing a record of recognition that began in 2015.
Cory Strobaugh, Beverage Manager at Shore Lodge, offers recommendations to help get you on that list. For Chef’s Surf & Turf, he selects Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. With pan-roasted halibut, maitake mushrooms, broccolini, Nueske’s bacon, and sherry brown butter, he recommends Domaine Vacheron “Les Romains” Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre.
On October 24th, the wine program takes center stage at a five-course dinner featuring Fidélitas. The Red Mountain winery began with Charlie and Terri Hoppes making wine in the kitchen of Terri’s father, Daniel “Fidelis” O’Neill, in 1982. Charlie founded Fidélitas in 2000, and his son Will now works alongside him. At The Narrows Steakhouse, guests will taste the family’s wines alongside a menu that moves from diver scallops and quail roulade to venison chop and Black Forest tart.
Seasonal Spirits
Food may bring everyone to the table, but the fall and winter cocktails give guests another reason to spend fall at Shore Lodge. All-time favorites like the Shore Fashioned and Huckletini return to the lineup, and The Moguls makes a comeback with hot cocoa, chocolate liqueur, peppermint, and whipped cream.
New additions bring a different range of flavors. The Maple Bourbon Hot Toddy pairs bourbon with maple and lemon, while the Cranberry Hugo Spritz offers a lighter mix of elderflower, cranberry, Prosecco, and soda. The Apple Cider Margarita brings cider, tequila, and cinnamon-honey syrup into the season. For guests choosing an alcohol-free drink, the Lavender No-Haze combines nonalcoholic gin, lemonade, and lavender honey syrup.
Whatever you choose, there’s a drink for the first toast, another round after dinner, or simply a seat at The Bar with nowhere else to be.
From the first pour to the final garnish, every cocktail has its own character. Get to know the full fall and winter lineup on our blog, where we share the flavors, ingredients and handcrafted details behind each drink.
The Holiday Table
As fall gives way to the holidays, Shore Lodge’s dining traditions bring families back together. Thanksgiving at The Cutwater on Payette Lake has offered a three-course dinner, with a larger celebration in the Upper Pavilion and a take-home dinner for those gathering elsewhere. Christmas dinner at The Cutwater on Payette Lake has continued that tradition, with a take-home option as well.
The season begins well before the holiday table. From fall dining specials and an exclusive wine dinner to celebrations that last all season long, there is more to look forward to at Shore Lodge. Explore the calendar to learn more.
