What is there to do in Payette, Idaho

Payette, Idaho is a small rural community of with a population of 8,150 people within the city.

Two Rivers meet in Payette. The Payette River which meets and joins the Snake River.

There is a green way, that runs the length of most of the city along the river. Only about 1/4 mile of it is paved, the rest is left natural with a path through it.

It is popular area for fishing, bird watching, walking, riding bikes, and picnicing. The Payette River is also a local favorite to float on tubes and rafts. The Snake river has an area for waterskiing and fishing.

Payette is also where Harmon Killebrew was born and the Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho is Harmon Killebrew's final resting place.

Payette is also my home.

(Photo © by Linda Hoxie)

© by Photographer Linda Hoxie

Sunset through the Branches on the Payette Greenbelt, such a beautiful place to take walks in Payette. Away from the traffic to visit the wildlife and beauty that surrounds Payette, Idaho

If you would like to know more about the Apple Blossom Festival that is held every year in Payette, please visit the Apple Blossom Festival website at: Apple Blossom Festival .

Harmon Clayton Killebrew was born in Payette Idaho on June 29, 1936, he lived to the age of 74 and passed away a little over a month before is 75 birthday on May 17, 2011.

Many might know him by his nicknames, one was "Killer" and the other "Hammerin' Harmon".

Harmon played Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators, which later became the Minnesota Twins, and the Kansas City Royals.

He played first, third and left field. When he retired, he was second only to Babe Ruth in American League home runs and was the American League career leader in home runs by a right-handed batter (since broken by Alex Rodriguez). He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

He was feared as a power hitter in baseball in the 1960s, He hit 40 home runs in a single season 8 different time. He playing in the World Series with the Minnesota Twins, in 1965, but his all time highlights of his great baseball career must have been the year when he hit 49 home runs in 1969, he also had 149 runs batted in and was elected the Most valuable player that year.

He was also named to eleven All-Star teams.

Payette is not only his birthplace but his final resting place. You can see the imprint this great man left on the hearts of those that live in Payette as you drive through the town. There are signs on mains street, Payette, the home of Harmon Killebrew. When you drive by the white dome of the Payette High School you will see the Harmon Killebrew baseball field.

If you drive out to Riverside Cemetery you will see his final place of honor in a beautiful cemetery overlooking the Snake River.

Apple Blossom Schedule of Events, Payette, Idaho

Apple Blossom Festival happens every year around the first of second week of May. The Apple Blossom Festival began in 1923. It has grown to a week long event, including a parade, a carnival, many different events, booths, and fun!

Annual A & W Cruise Night

There are eight parks in Payette City

Payette has eight parks,

Kiwanis park which includes a skateboard park, pool, playground and amplitheatre.

Hanigans Park, is a small park near the Green Way with picnic tables off of River Street near 7th Ave N. It is near a pond and the Payette River, both popular for fishing.

Centennial Park has picnic areas, baseball diamonds, playground and a boat ramp with docks.

Bancroft Park is a small park on Main Street in Payette used for many local events and gatherings.

At 7th Ave N and 16th there is a park with soccer fields and a RV dump.

There is the City Park, near the Post Office on Center and 9th. It has the library, rose gardens, playgrounds and basketball courts.

On Hwy 52 there is a small park near the canal with a picnic area, and one other small park.

Payette County Fair and Rodeo in New Plymouth, Idaho - August

This year they had Pro-Bull and Bronc Riding

If you visit the fair don't miss the Historic

New Plymouth Water Wheels.

Payette County also has the Big Nasty Motorcycle Hill Climb.

Loads of hotels in Ontario, Oregon only 5-10 minutes away

The nearest hotels to the Payette Area, are going to be found in Ontario Oregon. Ontario is just a five to ten minute drive from Payette and the choices for hotels there are numerous. Below are some of the choices and links for my affiliate advertisers if you are needing a room.

These were such weird clouds in the sunset on that spring day.

Photographer Linda Hoxie (copyright: all rights reserved)

Nestled in the middle of Scotch Pines Golf Course lies the small, community oriented, Payette Municipal Airport.

The airport, just north of Payette, has a small town charm where people always smile and call each other by first name. Many pilots and non-pilots alike have dubbed it the "friendliest little airport in the west". Pilots from all over the Northwest come to Payette just to play a round of golf and have lunch at the Scotch Pines clubhouse, as do many residents and business people.

Payette Municipal Airport

This gorgeous Barn owl spent the whole day resting in our big Katalpa tree right in my backyard in Payette.

Payette, Idaho's Scotch Pines Golf Course.

Scotch Pines is an 18-hole, par 72 course built in 1961. It is beautifully landscaped from the natural terrain of the Idaho countyside, Scotch Pines has blue grass, rye fairways and bent grass greens.

We have seen deer along the course as well as bunnies, snakes, hawks and waterfowl. The airport runs right down the middle of the course. If you hit your ball out on the runway you will have to leave it. Besides all that this course is really a nice course. They always have cold water along the way.

My father has a memorial bench on hole 6, right next to the Pro tee box. If you visit the course please stop and enjoy it. He shot his age many times on this course. My husband and I have memberships there and love to golf every day that we can. My favorite hole you ask? I would pick six on the front nine and 17 on the back nine.

Scotch Pines Golf Course Website

The Payette River system was named after Francois Payette a French-Canadian trapper whose exploits with the local Blackfoot indians are infamous.

Thank you for stopping by,

Linda