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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50 Sites Available
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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
Scott C
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: PERCH-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
The Sylvania Wilderness offers a great experience to for remote camping, fishing, and wilderness adventures. The campsites are primitive and you'll need to bring or filter your own water supply. We enjoyed seeing loons, bald eagles, a porcupine and other birds. This is our 10th year of going and it's worth the extra efforts to portage in, set up camp, and leave a bit of civilization behind for a few days.
Paul S
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Beautiful area and wonderful campsites. Fairly bad mosquitos so a the Nemo bug barn was great to have.
Ben V
VerifiedJune 6, 2021 • Stayed at: CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
it depends upon the weather. we had great weather for us.
Jeanne O
VerifiedMay 31, 2021 • Stayed at: FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Trails were clear of debris. Campsite had no wood and it rained the night before so creating a fire was a bit difficult but we were successful. Hiked in 7 miles with gear. Hot day. The mosquitoes were out in full force. Next day hiked 10 miles. Nice. Cooler day; less bugs. Final day woke to rain. Hiked out and headed home. This was a nice weekend trip. We enjoyed the quiet and greenery. Would recommend to others
Randall J
VerifiedMay 29, 2021 • Stayed at: PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Been there scores of times. Keep coming back for beauty, serenity, and fishing.
Dave R
VerifiedMay 28, 2021 • Stayed at: EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
I think that the wilderness experience is being preserved very nicely. Human impact has been minimized and from the shoreline it is almost impossible to detect any evidence of human activity.
Weldon W
VerifiedMay 28, 2021 • Stayed at: BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Great place to visit and unwind. The Northwoods experience without the long drive to someplace like the Boundary Waters. (We live in Iowa.) We also appreciate the new reservation system, much better than Boundary Waters. Fishing this year was very good - but we're not saying where!
Jessica M
VerifiedMarch 23, 2021 • Stayed at: WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Amazing!
Matt B
VerifiedFebruary 2, 2021 • Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Wonderful, secluded location with very nice sites to paddle into.
Ryan L
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Excellent fishing. Awesome campsites and beautiful lakes. A great spot so close to home for me living SE Wisconsin. Will definitely be returning.
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
