Imp Lake Interpretive Trail

For a short but memorable forest experience that's easily reached from the highway, this 1 1/2-mile loop stands out. The trail goes around 84-acre Imp Lake in the Ottawa National Forest. It starts near the beat launch on the inland side. There's a rustic campground nearby.

The trail takes a boardwalk past wetlands and a bog lake. Signs tell about old-growth hemlocks, hardwoods, and lowland conifers. The trail has been hardened, and the first part is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Steep grades make the last half difficult.

Just south of U.S. 2, six miles southeast of Watersmeet. (906) 932-1300, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/ Handicap accessibility: vault toilets have a step. Dogs: on 6-foot leash.
[Get Directions]

Return to Watersmeet

WATERSMEET
POINTS OF INTEREST

Sylvania Wilderness Area. This lake-studded 30-square-mile tract is a rare treasure: an old-growth forest that escaped the logger's ax, and lakes where motors are banned. ... more

Watersmeet Trout Hatchery and Fish Farm. Fishing's always good at this plentifully-sotcked hatchery. Great outing for kids ... more

Ottawa Visitor Center. The Ottawa National Forest info center also has an excellent nature bookstore, interesting exhibits, and anature trail ... more

Clark Lake and Clark Lake Trail. Convenient auto access up to the motor-free Sylvania Wilderness Area's Clark Lake with a long, sandy beach, good birding, and an 8-mile trail around the lake through the old-growth forest. ... more

Imp Lake Interpretive Trail. This memorable 1.5-mile path leads from an inviting swimming area into an old-growth hemlock forest ... more

Sylvania Outfitters. Veteran outdoorsman Bob Zelinski shares a wealth of information about the area, rents canoes, kayaks, skis, and snowshoes, and refers customers to fishing guides ... more

Mex-I-Min-E Falls & Campground. A short, powerful cascade in a quiet, pretty woodland spot with primitive camping. ... more

Ontonagon River Middle Branch. This pretty, underdeveloped brook trout stream can be paddled year-round. Rent a canoe. It's a fine first whitewater trip ... more

Sylvania Outfitters Cross-Country Ski Trails. 20 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in the Sylvania Wildeerness Area, much of it over hilly terrain ... more

Watersmeet Rails to Trails. This old railroad grade leads through many habitats to downtown Land O'Lakes ... more

Ajibikoka Falls. Difficult to get to, this falls is one of the finest in the Watersmeet region ... more

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

See our U.P. interactive maps that locate the best experiences the U.P. has to offer—from camping & hiking to good eating & vistas! We also have created useful maps to major U.P. TOWNS.

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here

Make Custom Gifts at CafePress