Tent Sites
Bancroft B
VerifiedJuly 3, 2025 Stayed at: COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Great place
Helpful
About Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Planning a trip to the Sylvania Wilderness? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. Encompassing one of the largest tracts of remaining old growth forest in the Midwest, the Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 34 named lakes are within its boundary. Recreation opportunities include canoeing on Sylvania's undeveloped lakes, hiking through its old growth forest, and camping at one of its 50 designated backcountry campsites.Special rules and regulations are in place to protect the wilderness characteristics of Sylvania. If you are planning a trip, be sure to watch the Sylvania Wilderness Orientation Video and read the "Need to Know" tab on this web page to plan ahead and prepare.
Available sites
50 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
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Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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Sep
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Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
50 Sites Available
⛺
ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BADGER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAVER-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAVER-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BIRCH, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CEDAR-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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DEER-1, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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DEER-2, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ERMINE-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LYNX-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MALLARD-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MALLARD-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MAPLE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MINK-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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OSPREY-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PERCH-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PORCUPINE-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PORCUPINE-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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SQUIRREL-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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SQUIRREL-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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.
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
50 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BADGER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAVER-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAVER-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BIRCH, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CEDAR-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
DEER-1, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
DEER-2, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ERMINE-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LYNX-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MALLARD-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MALLARD-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MAPLE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
OSPREY-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PORCUPINE-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PORCUPINE-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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
307 reviews
Summary
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
Overall rating
Based on 307 reviews
5 stars
69.4% (213)
4 stars
18.9% (58)
3 stars
6.5% (20)
2 stars
2.9% (9)
1 star
2.3% (7)
Showing 307 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
James K
VerifiedJuly 3, 2025 Stayed at: PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
We stayed at Pine-1. It has a nice sandy beach and easy access to campsite. Fish was also very good.
Helpful
Gary V
VerifiedJuly 3, 2025 Stayed at: FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Excellent trip, weather was hot , kind of buggy. But it was very secluded. Great time
Helpful
Stephen T
VerifiedJune 9, 2025 Stayed at: MINK-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
The Sylvania Wilderness never disappoints. We had five days of above average temperatures in mid-May followed by a strong storm. The place seemed nearly empty until we departed post storm. The warms temps brought out the mosquitoes but not as bad as I’ve experienced in June.
Helpful
Dwight J
VerifiedMay 24, 2025 Stayed at: FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
I camped at 3 different Backcountry campsites the first days they were available for a he season. There were a lot of downed trees at the campsites and on portage trails. However, with the unseasonably cool weather it made for good fire wood availability at campsites. Bear 1 should be described as a hike in site. The climb uphill from the lake is insane for paddlers that have to haul their gear up to the campsite. In general I'd prefer the sites to be a little closer to the shoreline. Overall I had a good wilderness experience.
Helpful
Kyle R
VerifiedOctober 7, 2024 Stayed at: LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
We had a wonderful, albeit short, trip to Sylvania. Perfect weather, great campsites, no litter or bad behavior in sight. Everything was well maintained and the Forest Service staff did a great job with the check-in.
Helpful
Alan Z
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2024 Stayed at: EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
An absolutely amazing place.
Helpful
Danika W
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2024 Stayed at: PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Sylvania Wilderness is a favorite. Pristine lakes and towering old-growth forests. Northern lights, loon calls, and wolves howling.
Helpful
Dave S
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2024 Stayed at: ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Had a very nice time.
Helpful
Mike D
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2024 Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Such a peaceful, beautiful place. Almost felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Sylvania Wilderness, Watersmeet, MI 49969 United States
Elevation: 554 ft
Getting There
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.
Highway access
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Watersmeet, MI
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service