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307 reviews
Sylvania Wilderness offers a stunning, serene environment ideal for first-time campers, with beautiful weather, mild portage trails, and clean, spacious campsites. Visitors enjoyed peaceful paddling experiences, abundant wildlife, and friendly park staff, making for a memorable outdoor adventure. While some reported issues with mosquitoes and campsite accessibility, the overall experience remains highly praised, with many eager to return.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Based on 307 reviews
Showing 307 reviews
September 10, 2021 Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Overall we enjoyed the trip. The Balsam 2 campsite is nice, but we thought it was odd that Balsam 1 is set so close. Given the amount of shoreline on the lake, I don't understand why some campsites are situated right next to each other. More space between sites would make it a lot better experience.
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September 10, 2021 Stayed at: BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Beautiful old forests and gorgeous lakes. Camped and paddled for 3 days. Had canoes rented and dropped off by the local outfitter. Very easy process. Great balance of relaxation and adventure.
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September 13, 2021 Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Greatly great
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September 16, 2021 Stayed at: BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Sylvania is beautiful. The campsites are nice with good fire pits and nice tent sites. The forest and lakes are spectacular.
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September 17, 2021 Stayed at: FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Important, for those new to the wilderness, to understand that sites definitely vary in quality. Expl. Fox 1 is nasty. Others have a mild slope off the water. I hear what they are saying with sites off the water but for me if sites were on the water it wouldn’t impact my experience. I know the sites are there and I can hear people anyways.
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September 17, 2021 Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
most magical camping spot!
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September 18, 2021 Stayed at: CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Rangers were very helpful when we had questions and the campsites are great
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September 19, 2021 Stayed at: ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
My wife and I usually camp in the much larger wilderness of the BWCAW. We found this to be a pleasant, cross between "roughing it" in the deep woods wilderness, and camping, not far from one's car, in a state park. You can find remote areas for seclusion, but can also just hike pretty good distances, through deep forest, and meet others along the way.
We were dismayed to find out when we got there that only rock bass and lake trout were legal to keep on most lakes, and only on the lakes you were camping on at the time of catching them. That's on us, for not researching the fishing regulations before we came. I had only read "the fishing is great" and hadn't looked any deeper! We had an excellent time anyway, paddling the lakes and enjoying the beautiful and mature forests.
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September 23, 2021 Stayed at: RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
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September 23, 2021 Stayed at: RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
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Sylvania Wilderness, Watersmeet, MI 49969 United States
Elevation: 554 ft
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 Statio...
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 mi west on US 2 to County Road 535 (Thousand Island Lake Road), then drive south on CR 535 approximately 4 mi 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.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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