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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 28, 2022 Stayed at: BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Sylvania Wilderness is an excellent backcountry experience for first time hiker and canoeist. The hiking and portage trails do receive some maintenance. It is nice smaller version of the BWCA experience that almost anyone can do.
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June 14, 2023 Stayed at: SQUIRREL-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
We had a great trip. Two adult brothers and their mom in one canoe. Parked and put in at Crooked Lake. Paddled South and portaged to Mountain Lake and camped at Lynx 1. Next day portaged to East Bear Lake and camped at Wolf. Last day portaged out through High Lake. The campsites were great. Plenty of room and nice fire rings. Fishing was very good on Mountain Lake and pretty good on West Bear. We went in early June and the mosquitos were terrible. We had to wear nets and long sleeves anytime we were on land. But we got used to it and it didn't ruin our trip. We usually go to BWCA and we decided to try a short trip to Sylvania as a warm-up this year. It really is like a mini-BWCA. I would definitely go back.
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June 14, 2023 Stayed at: RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Sylvania Wilderness Area is an exceptional place. Unfortunately for us, the mosquitoes were exceptional, too. Worst I'd ever experienced anywhere, and I'm a 62 seasoned veteran of wilderness canoe camping! that said, every other thing about Sylvania Wilderness Area was exceptionally fine, including the utter lack of garbage, trash, and plastic bits (omnipresent in so many places in the world. Keep up the fine work!
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June 15, 2023 Stayed at: COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Sylvania is a great place experience the outdoors. Whether fishing, paddling or camping, it’s all right there. A day or a week, there’s plenty of lakes to satisfy one’s wanderlust
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June 16, 2023 Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Fishing and campsite were good. Mosquitoes were HORRIBLE. I left two days early and tried to get a refund, but the website said there was a problem issuing a refund.
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June 19, 2023 Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Best bass fishing if my life. All other campers we saw (rarely) were kind and courteous. Can’t wait to get back!
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June 19, 2023 Stayed at: PORCUPINE-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Amazing! Only thing I wish was better is identifying the portages. I couldn’t not find the portage from crooked lake (water side) into Corey Lake.
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June 22, 2023 Stayed at: WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Was swarmed by Mosquitos at the trail head. Put bug dope on(100% Deet). Walked 1/2 mi up trail and turned around and went back out and drove home. Spent $150 on gas, reservations and 16 hours of round trip driving. I am a native to Michigan born and raised and I NEVER have seen so many mosquitos EVER. The mosquitos were in my eyes, mouth, nose and ears. They were lighting by the dozens through the Deet. Must of ate a dozen mosquitos in the 1 mi I hiked in and out total. You would need a body net and something more powerful than 100% Deet bug repellent. Worst hiking experience I have had in 25 years of hiking Washington state and Michigan. I won't be returning to Sylvania Wilderness.
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June 26, 2023 Stayed at: PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Sylvania Wilderness offers a great experience, closer to home, to get away from the city and enjoy the peaceful outdoor setting.
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June 28, 2023 Stayed at: PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
We've visited Sylvania every June since 2011. This year, we had fewer mosquitoes, so our camping was more relaxed with less bugs. Still a great place to stay a few nights.
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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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