Tent Sites
James G
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 Stayed at: LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Gorgeous old-growth forests and pristine lakes. It was great to observe wildlife such as swans, loon and mink in these beautiful settings.
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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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
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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
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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
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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
⛺
LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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LYNX-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
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
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OSPREY-1, Loop: Loon Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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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
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PIKE-2, Loop: Whitefish Lake
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Tent
Yes shade
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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
Seema I
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2021 Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
We were happy to find such a beautiful place after last minute changes happened to our original vacation plans. This is a true gem with great campsites and some wonderful fishing
Helpful
Patrick M
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2021 Stayed at: BALSAM-2, Loop: Clark Lake
It was a great replacement for our cancelled BWCAW trip. I have never seen,let alone stayed, in an old growth forest. It is beautiful! The hiking trail around Clark Lake was a nice surprise. Also we took time to see the eerie Paulding Lights.
Helpful
Paul R
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2021 Stayed at: LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Need to add reminders of noon campsite checkout time, 1pm checkin time.
Helpful
Emma Z
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2021 Stayed at: BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Beautiful location! Absolutely stunning. Albeit very tricky to find. We learned the hard way that the best way to access this site is to canoe in. Definitely the perfect destination for a canoe trip and a difficult but satisfying destination for a hiking trip. Camping between the lakes really was a divine experience.
Helpful
Paul R
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2021 Stayed at: FOX-2, Loop: Crooked Lake
We were bumped out of the BWCA due to fires, so we spent a lovely, bug-free 6 days in the Sylvania Wilderness. Not very good at fishing but that is mostly on us. Sites were mostly full and portages busy, but quiet overall and great weather.
Helpful
Robert C
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 Stayed at: BEAR-2, Loop: Mountain Lake
Great place for camping, canoeing and fishing among the old growth forest. Even with more than usual number of visitors due to Boundary Waters fires, great solitude.
Helpful
Ryan T
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 Stayed at: BEAR-1, Loop: Mountain Lake
A great place to visit.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Noah K
VerifiedAugust 29, 2021 Stayed at: PINE-1, Loop: Clark Lake
Beautiful sites and easy to get to.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Watersmeet, MI
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service