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
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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
Joseph C
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
I always love coming to the upper peninsula. The sylvania wilderness is incredible and the lakes and forests are beautiful. I came at a time of year where the mosquitos were abundant. I was unprepared for that and it was alittle rough. As long as you are prepared you will have a great time!
Mike F
VerifiedAugust 7, 2022 • Stayed at: BIRCH, Loop: Clark Lake
We really enjoyed this site. There were some large misquitos to greet us but we found we only had to deal with them for a few hours a day. It was windy/breezy when we were there so that took care of most bugs. Other reviewers mentioned difficulty finding the site. There is a post at the landing that is clearly noticeable once you are about 20 yards away. We found that to be true of other sites we scouted out too, just trail along the waters edge and it will reveal it's self. The trail connecting to the main path was nonexistent. A canoeist happened upon our site and showed us a dramatically over grown "trail", we just had to push past four foot high maple trees for 1/10 of a mile. Nice swimming (no beach due to high waters) and a steep incline that was not a problem for us two 50 year old people. We had kayaks which are a little more mobile than a canoe, that we were able to get up the embankment. Found a nice tree to hang our bear bag. Site was clear of under brush and very large. We hope to come back! And we had limited phone service.
Christina C
VerifiedAugust 4, 2022 • Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
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Kurt J
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Good location.
Fire pit was filled with mud. If the powers that be don't want fires outside fire pits then they need to make sure that they don't take on water or in this case mud.
We used a paddle to dig it out, but most people won't dedicate 30 minutes to this.
Kurt J
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Site is a hike up from the lake.
Fire pit was filled with water after rain.
Kurt J
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
No neighbors in a great fishing spot.
Landing a canoe is not the most difficult in the Sylvania Wilderness (see Loon), but not easy with lots of rocks.
William S
VerifiedJuly 29, 2022 • Stayed at: LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Sylvania is an absolute gem of a backcountry park
Randall J
VerifiedJuly 29, 2022 • Stayed at: ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Wonderful place to interact with the wild.
Derek S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2022 • Stayed at: BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
The site is large and flat. We set up a screen tent to avoid the bugs, and it proved to be the key to an enjoyable trip. Adventure through the bramble and obstacle to reach the sandy beach just minutes to the west. It's amazing. Fishing the south end of the cove was good for large mouth bass. The north edge was good for small mouth bass, especially at night. I'd recommend an anchor for driftless fishing. 25 minutes from the Clark campground launch with loaded canoes and about 30 minutes on foot.
John K
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Clean campsites. Very clean
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
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
