Deciduous forest covers most sites at Namekagon Lake Campground, a US Forest Service facility set within Chequamegon National Forest near Hayward, Wisconsin. The campground runs open from early June through mid-October and accommodates everything from tent campers arriving by canoe to RVs up to 55 feet with full hookups. Sites sit on gravel and shade is heavy throughout, which means solar-dependent setups may struggle here.
Water access is one of the campground's defining features. A boat ramp runs down the center of the campground to the lake, and lakeside sites, particularly 13, 14, 17, and 19, fill quickly on weekends. The campground runs at capacity most summer weekends, so reservations are worth booking early. Cell service is minimal, with AT&T users reporting one bar in some areas and nothing reliable elsewhere. Pit toilets are maintained well, but there are no showers or dump station on site.
Campers who have paddled the Namekagon River describe putting in upstream and using the campground as a takeout point, with the river offering class one rapids and shallow sandbars along the route. Mosquitoes are heavy in July. Cathy J. notes the boat landing is "great, boats can be pulled up on shore and left there safely." Sites in the less-traveled loop, including 1 through 4 and 6, tend to see less through-traffic. Anglers and paddlers who want a different setup nearby can look at Beaver Lake (Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, WI) about four miles southeast.
Description
Overview
Namekagon campground is a family-friendly campground that runs alongside its namesake lake, at the headwaters of the Namekagon River. It is the perfect spot to kayak, canoe, jet ski, swim or take a boat ride to one of the many restaurants along the shoreline. With its close proximity to mountain bike trails and the North Country hiking trail, Namekagon campground is an ideal location for making a base camp.
Recreation
Namekagon Lake offers excellent fishing, and anglers will find musky, pike, walleye and bass, among other fish varieties, available in abundance. The campground is conveniently located near off-highway vehicle, hiking and mountain bike trails. The North Country National Scenic Trail is also nearby. The Namekagon Nature Trail is a one mile interpretive trail which traverses the immediate area and begins in the campground.
Facilities
The campground offers a couple dozen single-family campsites for tent or RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water, trash collection and recycling bins are also provided. A day-use picnic area is equipped with multiple tables, picnic shelters, a basketball court, beach, boat ramp and fishing piers.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the 3,227-acre Namekagon Lake that is famous for its fishing potential. It is surrounded by a hardwood and hemlock forest in northwestern Wisconsin.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsNamekagon Lake Campground is located in Wisconsin near Cable
Directions
From Cable, Wisconsin, take County Highway M east for 11 miles. Turn left on County Highway D and proceed about 6 miles to Forest Service Road 209. Turn left at the campground sign and drive less than a mile to the campground entrance.
Address
PO Box 896
Hayward, WI
Coordinates
46.3502778 N
90.9236111 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/2/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/2/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 30 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 29 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 2 hrs 42 min from Wausau, WI
- 3 hrs 21 min from Minneapolis, MN
