Tent Sites
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
Helpful
About Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Planning a trip to the Sylvania Wilderness? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. Encompassing one of the largest tracts of remaining old growth forest in the Midwest, the Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 34 named lakes are within its boundary. Recreation opportunities include canoeing on Sylvania's undeveloped lakes, hiking through its old growth forest, and camping at one of its 50 designated backcountry campsites.Special rules and regulations are in place to protect the wilderness characteristics of Sylvania. If you are planning a trip, be sure to watch the Sylvania Wilderness Orientation Video and read the "Need to Know" tab on this web page to plan ahead and prepare.
Available sites
50 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
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Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
50 Sites Available
⛺
ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BADGER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAVER-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BEAVER-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BIRCH, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CEDAR-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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DEER-1, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
DEER-2, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ERMINE-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LYNX-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MALLARD-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MALLARD-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MAPLE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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MINK-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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OSPREY-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PERCH-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PORCUPINE-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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PORCUPINE-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
50 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ASH-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BADGER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BADGER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BASS, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAVER-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BEAVER-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BIRCH, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CEDAR-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CEDAR-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
CHIPMUNK, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
COYOTE, Loop: West Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
DEER-1, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
DEER-2, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
EAGLE-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
EAGLE-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ERMINE-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
ERMINE-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FISHER-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FISHER-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FOX-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
LYNX-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MALLARD-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MALLARD-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MAPLE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
MINK-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
OSPREY-2, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PERCH-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-1, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PORCUPINE-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PORCUPINE-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
RACCOON, Loop: High Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-1, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
SQUIRREL-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
WOLF, Loop: East Bear Lake
Tent
Yes shade
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
307 reviews
Summary
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
Overall rating
Based on 307 reviews
5 stars
69.4% (213)
4 stars
18.9% (58)
3 stars
6.5% (20)
2 stars
2.9% (9)
1 star
2.3% (7)
Showing 307 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Annette R
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2021 Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
most magical camping spot!
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Adam S
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 Stayed at: MAPLE-2, Loop: Clark Lake
Greatly great
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Katarina K
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2021 Stayed at: BOBCAT, Loop: High Lake
This was our second time at Sylvania and it is a beautiful quiet spot. So many loons and not a whole lot of people. Easy portages, clean lakes, and nice maintained campsites.
Helpful
Michael M
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2021 Stayed at: FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
Early September solo trip at the campground (loop 3) and time paddling on Crooked Lake. Old forest growth was beautiful to behold. Fellow campers, and hosts at the campground were nice as can be.. Rangers at the station were super, as well. Spent a night at Fox 2 which was not comfortable due to close proximity of Fox 1 campsite. They had a clear view of my latrine area as well as firepit area of Fox 2. I really don't think the occupants spent much, if any, time observing me (solo) but I still was not happy with the complete lack of privacy. My 2nd night was to be spent at Raccoon campsite but due to back surgery in May I could not make the portage up a reasonably small hill. I was disheartended yet felft it best not to push it. Need to get my back muscles stronger. Next visit I hope to reserve one of the lone sites. Highly recommended. Sylvania surprised me. I expected it to be overdeveloped. It's not.
Helpful
Patrick C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 Stayed at: ASH-1, Loop: Clark Lake
was so peaceful serene and quiet. I saw 3 bald eagles and 2 nights wolves howling at the moon. i'll be back next year
Helpful
Location & Directions for Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
Sylvania Wilderness, Watersmeet, MI 49969 United States
Elevation: 554 ft
Getting There
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.
Highway access
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.
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Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Watersmeet, MI
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service