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Imp Lake Campground
Imp Lake Campground located 6 miles southeast of Watersmeet, MI, provides visitors with a unique camping experience. Lakeside sites offer a quaint view of a small island populated with nesting loons, while off lake sites are perched beside towering hemlocks. Visitors are free to roam the nearby Imp Lake Interpretive Trail, canoe or fish the quiet wake free lake. This campground consisting of two camping loops, with a total of 22 campsites, provides drive-in sites that can accommodate tents, trailers and motor homes. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening. Each site offers a wood table, fire ring, and parking spur. Three sets of vault toilets and two hand pumps for drinking water are located within the camping loops. A picnic area, and boat landing are located adjacent to the campground.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | The gates on loop 1 will close on September 30th. Visitors can use loop 2 until snow conditions reduce access. Reduced services beginning September 30, 2024, no water or garbage services will be provided. Gates get closed as soon as snow starts to accumulate. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | 24 hours - self pay |
| Area Amenities: |
|
| Fees: | $16 a night |
| Open Season: | May 17 - September 30 |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Best Season: | July-September |
| Busiest Season: | July-August |
| Restrictions: | Fees shown are for the summer recreation period when full services are provided. During the early spring and late fall when no services are provided the fees at some areas are not charged. Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days, except as otherwise posted. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. Campers must occupy the site the first night. Eight people and 2 motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site. |
| Closest Towns: | Watersmeet, MI, is 6 miles to the northwest and Iron River, MI, is 26 miles to the east. |
| Water: | Drinking Water-hand pumps |
| Restroom: | 3 sets of vault toilets located in the camping loops |
| Passes: | Golden Age/Interagency Senior and Access Passes accepted |
General Information
Directions:From Watersmeet, Mi., travel east on US 2 approximately 5 miles, turn right onto FR 3978 and travel approximately 1 mile to the campground.
From Iron River, Mi., travel west on US 2 approximately 25 miles, turn left onto FR 3978 and travel approximately 1 mile to the campground.
Activities
Campground Camping
Imp Lake Campground located 6 miles southeast of Watersmeet, Mi., provides visitors with a unique camping experience. Lakeside sites offer a quaint view of a small island populated with nesting loons, while off lake sites are perched beside towering hemlock. Visitors are free to roam the nearby Imp Lake Interpretive Trail, canoe or fish the quiet wake free lake. This campground consisting of two camping loops, with a total of 22 campsites, provides drive-in sites that can accommodate tents, trailers and motor homes. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening. Each site offers a wood table, fire ring, and parking spur. Three sets of vault toilets and two hand pumps for drinking water are located within the camping loops. A beach, picnic area, and boat landing are located adjacent to the campground.
General Info:
Seasonal Information
The campground is scheduled to open with full services the Friday before Memorial Day. This date is subject to change, please contact the Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4551 for additional information.
| No. of Sites | 22 |
| Reservation Info | No Reservations |
| Fire Information | Fire ring in each campsite |
| No. of Accessible sites | 0 |
| Sleeping Shelter | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $16 a night for camping |
| Reservation info: | No Reservations |
| Best Season: | July-September |
| Hours of Operation: | 24 hours - self pay |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Imp Lake located within the Watersmeet Ranger District is a favorite destination for fishermen and outdoorsmen alike. This 111 acre lake features a boat ramp that will give you access to trout and panfish. Imp lake is a no wake lake.
| Fish Species | Trout & Panfish |
| Special Designations | Boat Ramp |
| Fishing Platform | No |
| Cleaning Station | No |
| Accessible Platform | No |
| Water Temperature | Cold |
| Water/Flow Level | 80 Feet |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Day Hiking
Imp Lake Trail is approximately 1 mile and is a loop trail. It is a nice trail and wheelchair accessible. Part of the trail is boardwalk and at the halfway point, there is decking with wooden chairs. It is particularly pretty with fall colors. The entrance is across from the Imp Lake Campground.
| Difficulty Desc. | Trail is mostly level |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Viewing Wildlife
In the middle of Imp Lake, Loons nest on a Island that can be viewed from the shoreline. There are also opportunities to view whitetail deer, bear, eagles, wolves, and many more.
| Species | Loon, Whitetail Deer, Bear, Eagles, and Wolves |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Boating - Motorized
Imp Lake located within the Watersmeet Ranger District is a favorite destination for fishermen and outdoorsmen alike. This 111 acre lake features a boat ramp that will give you access to trout and panfish. Imp lake is a no wake lake.
| Launch Ramps | Yes, Concrete Base, no charge to launch boat |
| Trailer Parking | Yes |
| Class of rapids | None |
| Size Restrictions | No wake lake |
| Motor Type | N/A |
| Fuel availability | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Fees: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Imp Lake provides you with an opportunity to view wildlife, fish or enjoy your surroundings while canoeing on a wake free lake. Imp Lake located within the Watersmeet Ranger District is a favorite destination for fishermen and outdoorsmen alike. Imp lake is a no wake lake.
| Launch Ramps | No |
| Trailer Parking | Yes |
| Type of Craft | Canoe/Kayak. |
| Fuel availability | No |
| Marina/Mooring | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Location
