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.
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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
August 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.
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September 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.
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September 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.
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September 4, 2021 Stayed at: LOON, Loop: Loon Lake
Need to add reminders of noon campsite checkout time, 1pm checkin time.
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September 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.
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September 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
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September 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.
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September 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
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September 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.
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September 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.
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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