Watersmeet Ranger District

Area Status: Open

The Watersmeet Ranger District is one of five districts on the one-million-acre Ottawa National Forest. The District has approximately 25 people who manage a variety of traditional lands, fisheries, recreation and timber programs. Both the Wilderness and the recreation area receive high use, particularly during the summer season. Five developed campgrounds and a major visitor center, add to the heavy recreation program. The Ottawa Visitor Center is currently open year-round with about 30,000 annual visitors.

Watersmeet is located in Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula, an area known for its forest, lakes and streams. These headwaters boasts beautiful, deep, clear, glacially formed lakes that provide water to the Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Mississippi Watersheds. Waterfalls are numerous and are major attractions to thousands of visitors annually. The Watersmeet area is a perfect spot for fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating, canoeing, hiking, biking, camping and hunting for grouse, black bear and white-tailed deer. Tourism and timber products are the major industries in this area of forested hills and interspersed lakes and rivers. There are several resorts for those who wish to come to the Northwoods to stay in a comfortable cottage, or the Sylvania Wilderness for those wishing a more primitive experience in a pristine setting. Watersmeet is in big snow country where the rolling hills provide some of the best cross-country skiing in the mid-west. With snowfall averaging more than 100 inches a year, skiing usually begins in early December and sometimes doesn't end until after Easter. A half-dozen ski resorts are nearby with Thanksgiving the declared opener for some. Major snowmobile trails cross the district, and some trails even take the riders to view waterfalls in winter splendor.

At a Glance

Open Season:	January - December
Usage:	Light-Medium

General Information

Directions:

To get to the Watersmeet/Iron River Ranger District Office, follow the signs to the Ottawa Visitor Center. The District office is co-located with the Visitor Center on the corner of US 2 and Hwy. 45. Access is from US 2.

General Notes:

The Watersmeet/Iron River Ranger District office is located across from the Visitor Center.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Watersmeet Ranger District

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Watersmeet Ranger District

Marion Lake Campground

Dispersed Camping

Areas for Dispersed Camping at Watersmeet Ranger District

Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

Lake and Pond Fishing

Long Lake located just outside the Sylvania on the western portion of the Watersmeet Ranger District. This 168 acre provides a good variety of game fish. To access Long Lake take US 2 West from Watersmeet to GCR 535 and approximately 7 miles on your right will be Long Lake.

Fish Species	Walleye, Bass & Panfish
Fishing Mode	Boat, Canoe or Bank
Special Designations	Boat Ramp
Fishing Platform	No
Cleaning Station	No
Accessible Platform	No
Water Temperature	Mixed Cold/warm
Water/Flow Level	35 Feet
Status:	Open

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Watersmeet Ranger District

River and Stream Fishing

Tamarack River is a Brown Trout stream that provides the outdoors person with fishing and the beauty of the deep woods. This river is accessible from the Northern edge of the Tamarack Lake. To get to he southeastern part of this river go East on US2 from Watersmeet for 7 miles to FR 3840 and take a left (north). 4 miles to GCR 208 and turn left and travel about a 1/2 mile to where Tamarack River crosses the roadway. To access this river from the Northwest from Watersmeet take Old US2 for approximately 6 miles and turn on FR 4500 and go 1/2 mile to where the river crosses FR4500.

Fish Species	Brook Trout and Brown Trout
Fishing Mode	Bank or Wade
Fishing Platform	None
Cleaning Station	None
Accessible Platform	None
Status:	Open

Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Watersmeet Ranger District

Burned Dam Campground

Day Hiking

Meximinee Falls Trail is a short, fairly easy trail that follows the river for a good view of the falls. Total length round trip is approximately 1/4 mile. The trail is found at Burned Dam Campgrounds, approximately 7 miles northwest of Watersmeet.

General Info:

Directions

From Watersmeet, Mi go north on US45 for approx 1 mile from intersection with US2. Turn East on Old US2 and travel east for approximately 7 miles to the campground. From Ontonagon, Mi take US45 south 43 miles and turn left on Old US2 and travel east for 7 miles.

Status:	Open

Areas for Day Hiking at Watersmeet Ranger District

Backpacking

There are several trails located in the Sylvania Wilderness for your backpacking enjoyment. These trails normally follow the shoreline of lakes and take you to and from established wilderness campsites.

Areas for Backpacking at Watersmeet Ranger District

Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

Viewing Wildlife

Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Watersmeet Ranger District

Viewing Plants

Areas for Viewing Plants at Watersmeet Ranger District

Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

Viewing Scenery

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Watersmeet Ranger District

Visitor Programs

Areas for Visitor Programs at Watersmeet Ranger District

Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center

Interpretive Areas

Areas for Interpretive Areas at Watersmeet Ranger District

Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center

Visitor Centers

Areas for Visitor Centers at Watersmeet Ranger District

Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center

Picnicking

Areas for Picnicking at Watersmeet Ranger District

Boating - Motorized

There are several lakes within the boundries of the Watersmeet Ranger District. Many of these lakes have established boat ramps for your convience. So if it just getting out on the water or if fishing is your goal the many lakes in the area will be sure to fill your needs.

Areas for Boating - Motorized at Watersmeet Ranger District

Boating - Non-Motorized

Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Watersmeet Ranger District

Swimming

Areas for Swimming at Watersmeet Ranger District

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Just west of Watersmeet on U.S. 2 the Sylvania Outfitters also grooms 20 miles of trail across the Ottawa National Forest with loops that can be used for skijoring and snowshoeing as well.

Additionaly The Land O'Lakes Fish and Game Club maintains approximately 7 miles of groomed trails for Beginner to Intermediate Skiers.

Land O' Lakes Ski Trail Map