About Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 50
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
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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
Douglass E
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2021 • Stayed at: BEAVER-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Stayed at both Badger2 and Beaver1 campsites. Both were very nice.
Daniel M
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2021 • Stayed at: RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Grant T
VerifiedSeptember 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.
Akos B
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2021 • Stayed at: CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Rangers were very helpful when we had questions and the campsites are great
Annette R
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2021 • Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
most magical camping spot!
TIM R
VerifiedSeptember 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.
Donnan C
VerifiedSeptember 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.
Adam S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Greatly great
Carrie J
VerifiedSeptember 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.
William A
VerifiedSeptember 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.
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
