Ottawa National Forest's Imp Lake Campground sits on the water in the Upper Peninsula near Watersmeet, with some sites offering direct views of the lake. Sites include fire pits, vault toilets, picnic tables, and lantern hooks, and drinking water and firewood are available on-site. The lake itself is clear and cold, and loons are a regular presence. Bugs can be intense in summer, so insect repellent is worth packing. Bald eagles have been spotted in the area. The campground accommodates RVs up to 69 feet and allows pets, making it a reasonable base for paddlers and anglers looking at campsites near Ottawa National Forest across the region. Nearby options include Marion Lake Group Site about 3.5 miles north.
Description
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsImp Lake Campground is located in Michigan near Watersmeet
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.
Coordinates
46.21800099 N
89.07100018 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
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)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 55 min from Wausau, WI
- 2 hrs 42 min from Green Bay, WI
- 2 hrs 51 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 52 min from Appleton, WI






