About Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Number of accommodations: 50
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
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Showers
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- 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
Ryan T
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 • Stayed at: BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
A great place to visit.
Anne S
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
I can’t say enough great things about Sylvania. Hands down, it is our favorite place for solitude and and easy wilderness experience.
Noah K
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 • Stayed at: PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Beautiful sites and easy to get to.
Khalil R
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 • Stayed at: DEER-1, Loop: East Bear Lake
Wonderful experience but realize that the Deer tent sites are quite removed from the water and very high up a hill.
Khalil R
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 • Stayed at: MINK-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Put in on Crooked lake at 5pm and made it to the site in time to set up camp and make dinner.
Erik B
VerifiedAugust 25, 2021 • Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Sylvania is a true treasure. We have a lovely family canoe camping trip and it was my wife's first time on a canoe trip and it was the perfect combination of challenge, new experiences, and wilderness. Also - great fishing!
Anne S
VerifiedAugust 18, 2021 • Stayed at: ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
My favorite getaway place in the UP. Beautiful forests,clear lakes, and nice campsites.
Charles P
VerifiedAugust 10, 2021 • Stayed at: CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
The portages are not marked but easy to spot. The campsites are in excellent condition. The portage trails are well maintained. After one or two portages it truly becomes a wilderness experience.
LAWRENCE C
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Bathhouse at the day use area is closed. It is ridiculous that the out houses are the only thing open. I also received a warning citation for parking my motorhome In the same spot it’s been parked when I visit for over 20 years. Excuse was given that people complained Yet the parking lot was half empty and had plenty of places to park. I found this to be offensive. I paid my fees and was enjoying the wilderness and then returned to have a warning about where I parked. When I spoke to the officer he told me to park in the day use area and hike out to the boat launch. Since it’s a day use area that really makes no sense. Small things like that give people a negative experience.
Michael E
VerifiedAugust 5, 2021 • Stayed at: DEER-2, Loop: East Bear Lake
It was our first time visiting Sylvania Wilderness to fish or stay. It was also our first time backpacking in a remote location, so we brought more than we should have. I mention it because the portage from Mountain Lake to East Bear Lake was more than we thought it was going to be. My father at 64, and out of shape, managed it but not by a ton. The campsite is off the lake further than I would have thought and on top of a ridge.
The fishing was great! We caught a couple Perch and 10 Hand Sized Bluegill and Sunfish to eat one night. We also caught close to 90 bass in 4 days most between 14" and 16". However, we had a gust front come through with 65 MPH winds at 10pm our first night, (scary in a tent) and then another front with 30 MPH winds our third afternoon. We were ecstatic to have caught so many fish in spite of the weather and know that wouldn't have happened in the LP. Biggest bass was 19,5 and 4lb Largemouth.
I recommend Sylvania but only DEER-2 if you're moderately in shape and a smarter packer than we were before we went out.
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
