About Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 50
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping.
Rates, Sites & Availability
50 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
50 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (224)
What Guests Are Saying
Sylvania Wilderness offers stunning natural beauty, with well-maintained campsites and friendly staff, making it a favorite destination for backcountry camping. While some reviewers noted the need for better trail markers and experienced issues with mosquitoes, the overall experience is highly regarded, particularly in late September when the area is quieter. Many visitors appreciated the pristine lakes, the remoteness of the sites, and the opportunity for memorable outdoor adventures.
What Guests Are Saying
Sylvania Wilderness offers stunning natural beauty, with well-maintained campsites and friendly staff, making it a favorite destination for backcountry camping. While some reviewers noted the need for better trail markers and experienced issues with mosquitoes, the overall experience is highly regarded, particularly in late September when the area is quieter. Many visitors appreciated the pristine lakes, the remoteness of the sites, and the opportunity for memorable outdoor adventures.
Review Summary
Tristan N
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
The further you paddle/portage the better. Sylvania is gorgeous.
Mary S
VerifiedNovember 11, 2025 • Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Loved this trail, you need gps to stay on the trail, as there are no trail markers. My hiking buddy and I got lost a few times and had to back track.
John S
VerifiedOctober 8, 2025 • Stayed at: MAPLE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Campsite Maple 1 was in excellent shape. Clean, previous camper had stacked firewood, met some Rangers while out ont our canoe and they were extremely friendly.
Tom R
VerifiedOctober 7, 2025 • Stayed at: LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
We backpacked Loon, Wolf and Pine 1. All trails were in good shape, latrines were well maintained and tent sites were clean. It seems other visitors are in tune with the wilderness ethic. It was a very enjoyable excursion into the wild.
Barbara H
VerifiedOctober 7, 2025 • Stayed at: LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Beautiful and peaceful!
Mary Jo N
VerifiedOctober 6, 2025 • Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Late Sept is the best experience. No bugs, less people. Quieter overall.
Christopher S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
The paired sites are way too close together. Then we pivoted and paid for a different open site in the reservation system and were denied even partial refund for the first site. Not very back country feel when you can hear resort music from some lakes (in the fall) and sites are close together.
Heather T
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
It was beautiful. Sites were nice for small group, we had only two tents. There are no site markers from trail was difficult to find entrance to Bear 1 at first. Very well marked from water.
Anne S
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Best kept secret
Nathan S
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Location Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Address:
Sylvania Wilderness
Watersmeet, MI, 49969
United States
Backcountry wilderness campsites can be accessed from the Sylvania Recreation Area by parking at the Clark Lake or Crooked Lake Boat Landings, or from entry points on the perimeter of the wilderness (see map). To reach the Sylvania Entrance Station and Recreation Area: From Watersmeet, travel approximately 3.5 miles west on US 2 to County Road 535 (Thousand Island Lake Road), then drive south on CR 535 approximately 4 miles to the Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area entrance.
The campground is accessible via US 2, located approximately 3.5 miles to the north. From US 2, take County Road 535 (Thousand Island Lake Road) south for about 4 miles to reach the Sylvania Entrance Station.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.2447 / -89.3106
Elevation: 554 feet
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
