Most people driving up to Cascade are focused on getting here. That's a mistake worth fixing. The road you take, Highway 55, the Payette River Scenic Byway, is one of the most beautiful drives in Idaho, tracing a wild river through forested canyons the entire way. Give yourself an extra hour and the trip up becomes the first great thing you do on your vacation. Here's how to enjoy it.
The Route at a Glance
The Payette River Scenic Byway runs 112 miles between Eagle, just outside Boise, and New Meadows to the north, following the Payette River through four counties. From Boise, you'll pick it up near Eagle and climb north through Horseshoe Bend, with the river at your side almost the whole way.
Cascade sits roughly 75 miles up the byway, about an hour and a half of easy driving from Boise, or well under an hour from the whitewater hub at Banks. The highway is two lanes and hugs the river, so plan on a relaxed pace and expect to share the road with RVs, motorcycles, and the occasional raft trailer.
Banks: Where the Whitewater Begins
About 35 miles north of Eagle you'll reach Banks, sitting at the confluence where the North and South Forks of the Payette meet. This is the beating heart of Idaho whitewater. On a summer day the put-ins are lined with rafts and kayaks, and outfitters run trips ranging from splashy family floats to serious rapids.
Even if you're not paddling, Banks is a great leg-stretch. Grab a bite, watch boaters drop into the current, and let the kids burn off some energy before the last push north.
Smiths Ferry and the Cabarton Stretch
Past Banks the canyon opens up and the river changes character. Below Banks, the North Fork drops into a legendary stretch of steep, expert-only whitewater, fun to watch from a pullout but not to attempt unless you really know what you're doing. Farther up near Smiths Ferry, you'll pass the historic river crossing and, in summer, one of the most popular roadside stops on the drive.
North of Smiths Ferry lies the Cabarton run, the mellow stretch between the Cascade Dam and Smiths Ferry. It's calm, scenic water, the kind guided trips use for relaxed floats, and a good sign that you're almost to town.
Arriving in Cascade
Roll into Cascade and the river opens into Lake Cascade, the fourth-largest body of water in Idaho and the reason so many people make this drive. Lake Cascade State Park lines the shore with boating, beaches, and the flat, six-mile Crown Point Trail for an easy walk with big views.
Right on the edge of town is Kelly's Whitewater Park, the first whitewater park in Idaho, where man-made waves on the North Fork draw kayakers and stand-up paddlers, with a visitor center and riverside paths for everyone else. And Birch Glen Lodge & Motel is minutes from all of it, which makes it the natural place to drop your bags and stay a while.
Keep Going: Donnelly and McCall
If you've got time, the byway keeps rewarding you north of Cascade. Donnelly and the little historic village of Roseberry are a short hop up the road, along with Gold Fork Hot Springs off to the east. Another 30 miles brings you to McCall, the lakeside crown jewel of the byway, with Ponderosa State Park, sandy beaches, and Brundage Mountain. Plenty of guests use Cascade as a quieter, friendlier base and make McCall a day trip.
Tips for the Drive
- Fuel up in Boise or Banks. Services thin out as you climb, so don't run the tank low
- Watch the weather in winter. Highway 55 sees snow and ice from late fall through spring; check road conditions and give yourself extra time
- Pull over for photos, but use the marked pullouts rather than stopping on the shoulder, and let faster traffic pass
- Go easy on the curves. The road twists along the canyon; it's not the place to make up time
- Leave room for stops. Between Banks, the river overlooks, and a hot spring or two, the drive is half the fun
Point the car north, roll the windows down along the river, and let the trip up be the start of the vacation. When you get here, we'll be ready. Book your room at Birch Glen Lodge & Motel and make Cascade your base for exploring the byway and everything around it.