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
Patrick C
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2025 • Stayed at: FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Beautiful wilderness area.
Henry S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2025 • Stayed at: FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
What a beautiful place to spend a few days! the site was wonderful. Lots of space for tents. We got some heavy rains, but still had a good time.
Leslie L
VerifiedAugust 29, 2025 • Stayed at: OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
We stayed at Osprey 1 campsite on Loon Lake. The boat landing was very nice; a small beachy and grassy area that was a welcome place to sit in the mornings and evenigs that offerd a reprieve from the dark and mosquitely woods. The staff at the entrance were very frineldy ad helpful
Brian H
VerifiedAugust 27, 2025 • Stayed at: FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Our father-son wilderness camping trip is something we look forward to every year. The remoteness of the sites and the beauty of the the lakes and lakeshores helps provide great memories we lack about all the time.
Noelle H
VerifiedAugust 23, 2025 • Stayed at: COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Campsite was hard to find and portaging spots were not clear
Pat J
VerifiedAugust 22, 2025 • Stayed at: CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Scenery was beautiful and the campsites were good. I will definitely come back!
David S
VerifiedAugust 21, 2025 • Stayed at: OSPREY-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Day use building showers are down. But the site is awesome.
Glenn G
VerifiedAugust 19, 2025 • Stayed at: FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
I wanted to get an idea of what I need to have on a kayak wilderness trip. This place was amazing and I’m definitely doing a multiple day trip next time. 100% better then I thought.
Soren P
VerifiedAugust 18, 2025 • Stayed at: BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Great fishing
Jason S
VerifiedAugust 13, 2025 • Stayed at: BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Beautiful park.
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
