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Namekagon Lake Recreation Area
Namekagon Lake Recreation Area is a family-friendly campground that runs alongside its namesake lake at the headwaters of the Namekagon River. It is surrounded by a hardwood and hemlock forest. All campsites provide hardened parking area, picnic table, and fire ring. Recycling and trash dumpsters are provided. There is a day-use area with a picnic shelter, several picnic tables with pedestal grills, a basketball court, a sandy swimming beach, a boat landing, and a fishing pier. Potable water is available from an electric well. Vault toilets are provided throughout campground and day-use area.
Namekagon Campground is an ideal location for a base camp with its close proximity to a number of hiking and biking trails. Famous for its great fishery, this 3,227-acre lake offers excellent fishing for musky, pike, walleye, bass, and other fish varieties. 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. Wildlife watching opportunities are abundant as elk, eagles, loons and other wildlife are often spotted in the area.
The Namekagon Trail is located just across the road from the campground entrance. This one-mile trail loop is great for beginner hikers.
The campground features a picnic shelter available for larger gatherings and a boat ramp. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the boat landing. This does not apply to registered campers.
The campground is located near the Rock Lake National Recreation Trail, CAMBA Mountain Bike Trails, North Country National Scenic Trail and Porcupine Lake Wilderness Area.
So, if you like to swim, boat, fish, hike, or picnic, then the Namekagon Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, located 20 minutes northeast of Hayward. Namekagon Lake Recreation Area is one of our dog friendly recreation areas.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | The reservation system provides visitors the opportunity to reserve their favorite spot during specific times, ensuring a place to stay, which will be beneficial to local users as well as users traveling from afar. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or by calling Recreation at 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 1-877-833-6777. The campground will still have first come first served sites available for those who prefer a more spontaneous adventure. |
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| Fees: | Camping: Individual campsite fee is $18/night, payable at the fee envelope tube at the site. Camping fees are $9 with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Pass discounts apply only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder. Boat Landing and Picnic: There is a $5 day use pass for use of the boat landing and picnic area. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. The USDA Forest Service honors all four Interagency Recreation Passes that may be applied at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites charging recreation use fees. |
| Open Season: | May 2 - October 31 |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | Camping: Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Restrictions: | Restrictions for all National Forest System lands can be found by visiting Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261 by clicking here. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest please click here. Campsite Capacity
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| Closest Towns: | Hayward, WI |
| Water: | Drinking water |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Passes: | The USDA Forest Service honors all four Interagency Recreation Passes that may be applied at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites charging recreation use fees. |
| Information Center: | Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. Great Divide Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:From Cable drive 10.9 miles east on Highway M to Highway D. turn left (north) on D and proceed 5.5 miles to FR 209. Turn Left (west) at the campground sign and drive 0.3 miles to the campground entrance.
From Glidden drive north on Highway 13 three miles to Highway 77. Turn left (west) on 77 and drive 13.5 miles to Clam Lake. Turn right (northwest) on Highway GG. In 0.1 miles at a T intersection continue straight on Highway M. In 8.8 miles turn right (north) on Highway D. Drive 5.5 miles to FR 209, turn left (west) at the campground sign and drive 0.3 miles to the campground entrance.
Activities
Mountain Biking
The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) Trails can be accessed from the campground by riding a short distance down County Highway D. CAMBA has marked, mapped, and described more than 300 miles of mountain bike trails. The CAMBA cluster maps have detailed maps of the trail system as well as easily followed narrative descriptions of the trails. Click here for more information.
Road Cycling
Riding the backroads that wind through the forest is a popular daytime activity.
Campground Camping
This campground features 34 campsites and is situated on a large lake that is the headwaters of the Namekagon River. Also available are water pumps, accessible vault toilets, boat ramp, fishing pier, swimming beach, picnic ground, and picnic shelter.
RV Camping
There are 34 sites which can accommodate RV's between 35-45 feet. All sites have fire rings and picnic tables.
| Reservation Info | Reservable Campsites: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34 |
| Size Restrictions | Back-in sites unless indicated below:
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Lake and Pond Fishing
Famous for its great fishery the 3,227-acre Namekagon Lake has excellent fishing for Musky, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass and panfish. There is a boat landing and fishing pier at the day-use area.
Day Hiking
Namekagon Trail – This one-mile trail just north of Namekagon Campground. The hemlock island on the trail is an excellent example of old growth forest. In the summer, the east loop is an excellent nature trail. Click here for more information.
Picnicking
There is a day-use area at the campground with a picnic shelter, several picnic tables with pedestal grills, a basketball hoop, a sandy swimming beach, a boat landing and a fishing pier.
Boating - Motorized
A boat ramp is located onsite at the day-use area. There is a $5 day use pass for this recreation site.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Namekagon Wild and Scenic River – Lake Namekagon is the beginning of the Namekagon River. The National Park Service maintains the St. Croix Riverway and provides information for people wishing to canoe and kayak the Namekagon.
Lake Namekagon provides visitors with ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, paddling and many other non-motorized activities.
Swimming
Tubing
Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Lake Namekagon has to offer.
Waterskiing
Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Lake Namekagon has to offer.
Windsurfing
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities throughout the whole forest. When groomed trails are not available you can always blaze your own trail through the woods.
Namekagon Trail – is a classic style ski trail. Trail Length: East Loop - 1 mile or 1.7 Km; North Loop - 2.4 Km; South Loop 2.2 Km; perimeter of North and South Loops - 3.4 Km. Wetlands on the north and south loops prevent hiking. The winter trail system is groomed and track is set when snow conditions permit. The trail is fairly flat and suitable for beginner or novice skiers. Click here for more information.