About Donnelly, Idaho

Donnelly, Idaho (10 miles south of McCall) is home to North America's first major ski area in more than two decades and the end of 25 years of work to develop a resort along Lake Cascade.  At present, Donnelly is a very small rural community, but that is changing rapidly due to the popularity and success of Tamarack Resort. 

Buying property in the Donnelly area is an excellent investment as land prices will continue to rise over the next 10 years.

The town was named after a Mr. Donnelly who was a prominent railroad man in the early 1900's. The first store was established in Roseberry by J.W. Pottenger and W.B. Boydstun in 1892. The first Post Office in this area of the valley was established in 1892 with Lewis Roseberry as the first Postmaster. The town named for him is still known as Roseberry, though most of the buildings have been moved away or torn down. The first sawmill in this area was built by J.W. Pottenger and Mrs. Sult in 1892 on the Goldfork river.

Upper Long Valley was used as a summer campground by the Nez Perce, Bannock and Shoshone Indians. Until 1915 they continued to camp along Willow Creek as they made their yearly trip to and from salmon fishing on the South Fork of the Salmon River.