Aerial view of a forested lake campground

Historic Family-Operated Since 1947

Where the Forest Keeps Its Secrets, and the Lake Keeps Its Guests

Tucked along the shores of Lake Namekagon in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, James Mc Nally Campground offers something rare: a place that feels exactly as it did fifty years ago, only better.

Call to Reserve Discover Our Story

75+ Years of Hospitality

Lakefront Direct Access

Family Owned & Operated

Rustic log cabin surrounded by pine trees at the campground

Our Story

A Campground That Grew With the Forest

James Mc Nally Campground began as a modest family retreat in 1947 — a handful of cleared sites along a quiet stretch of Lake Namekagon. What started as a weekend escape for the Mc Nally family has become one of the most trusted names in northern Wisconsin hospitality.

Three generations later, we still open the office each season with the same belief that started it all: that a great campground doesn't need to shout. It needs clean sites, friendly faces, and easy access to water that's been still for ten thousand years.

Our setting within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest means you're never far from old-growth pines, quiet trails, and the kind of silence that reminds you what a real vacation feels like. Whether you arrive by canoe, RV, or station wagon, you'll find the same warm welcome that's defined us since day one.

Family-owned since 1947

On the shores of Lake Namekagon

Deep in the Chequamegon-Nicolet

Three generations of hospitality

What We Offer

Everything You Need,
Nothing You Don't

Thoughtful amenities designed for comfort without compromising the natural beauty that draws you here.

Lakefront Camping

Sites with direct Lake Namekagon frontage. Drop your canoe, cast a line, or simply listen to the water lap against the shore.

RV & Tent Sites

Spacious, level sites for both tent campers and RVs. Full hookups available at select sites, all with shade and privacy.

Clean Bathhouses

Well-maintained, modern bathhouses with hot showers. Cleanliness isn't just a promise here — it's a tradition.

Fire & Picnic Areas

Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Gather around the evening fire under a canopy of northern stars.

Trail Access

Direct access to miles of hiking and biking trails through the Chequamegon-Nicolet. From gentle lakeside walks to rugged backcountry routes.

Office & Provisions

On-site office with firewood, ice, basic supplies, and local trail maps. We're here when you need us — unobtrusively.

Dense pine forest along a Wisconsin lake shoreline

The Setting

The Chequamegon-Nicolet
At Your Doorstep

One of the largest national forests in the eastern United States, the Chequamegon-Nicolet stretches across 850,000 acres of northern Wisconsin. Ancient sand dunes, crystal-clear lakes, and old-growth stands of white pine and red oak define this landscape — and James Mc Nally Campground sits at its quiet heart.

In summer, the water calls: kayaking, canoeing, and fishing among the hundreds of lakes in the Namekagon chain. In fall, the hills blaze with color. Winter brings solitude and snowshoe trails. Spring returns with loon songs and thawing shorelines. Whatever season you choose, the forest receives you well.

Lake Namekagon One of Wisconsin's most scenic waterways, part of the National Scenic Riverway

850,000+ Acres Of protected forest land surrounding the campground

Year-Round Access Four distinct seasons, each revealing a different face of the northwoods

Your Experience

Three Ways to
Make It Yours

Whether you're traveling light or pulling a full trailer, we have a place for you beneath the pines.

Tent camping site under tall pine trees near a lake

Tent Sites

Cleared, level sites nestled among mature trees. Each offers privacy, shade, and easy walking distance to shared bathhouse facilities. Bring your tent — we provide the setting.

Shaded, level sites
Walking distance to bathhouses
Fire ring & picnic table
Quiet, family-friendly atmosphere

RV parked at a spacious campground site with full hookups

RV Sites

Spacious sites accommodate everything from compact travel trailers to large fifth wheels. Select sites offer full water, electric, and sewage hookups for extended stays.

Full hookups at select sites
Accommodates all RV sizes
Level, well-drained pads
Long-term monthly rates available

Lakefront view from a campground site with a canoe at the shore

Lakefront Sites

Our most coveted sites — direct Lake Namekagon frontage. Step from your tent or RV to the water's edge. Ideal for kayakers, anglers, and anyone who considers a lake view the best view.

Direct lake access
Prime sunrise views
Perfect for watercraft launch
Limited availability — book early

Guest Words

What Our Visitors Say

"We've been coming to James Mc Nally for three summers running. The lakefront sites are unmatched — you wake up to loons and the sound of water. The family running the office treats you like you've known them for years."

Margaret H. Duluth, MN

"Cleanest campground I've stayed at in twenty years of RVing. The sites are spacious, the bathhouses are spotless, and the forest setting is exactly what we were looking for. No nightlife, no crowds — just peace."

Robert & Diane K. Madison, WI

"Brought the grandkids for their first camping trip. The staff helped us find the perfect site — close to the water but shaded enough to stay cool. They made it feel like an adventure instead of a chore. We'll be back."

Thomas B. Minneapolis, MN

Plan Your Visit

Find Your Way
to the Northwoods

We're located just off Highway 63 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin — roughly midway between Eau Claire and Duluth. The road to the campground is well-marked, and our office is always happy to provide directions.

Address 316 Brad St S
Grantsburg, WI 54840-7944

Phone (715) 463-2405

Office Hours Memorial Day – Labor Day:
Daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Off-season: By appointment

Call to Reserve Your Site