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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Michigan · reservable in Michigan · tent only in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 50 |
Site guide
50 sites in 8 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASH-1 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| ASH-2 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| BIRCH | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| PINE-1 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| PINE-2 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| CEDAR-1 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| CEDAR-2 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| MAPLE-1 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| MAPLE-2 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
| BALSAM-1 | Clark Lake | Partial | 6 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Camping Fee. Reserving Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Campsite Permits are $15 per night. No pass discounts apply to backcountry camping permits, they are classified as a 'Special Recreation Permit.' Passports and Interagency Pass fee discounts do not apply to Special Recreation Permit sites per… |
- The Sylvania Wilderness has 50 primitive individual backcountry campsites. Campsites are accessible by paddling or hiking and are not accessible by vehicles. No more than 6 people are allowed per campsite.
- Each is marked with a post along the shoreline, has a metal campfire ring, a wilderness style latrine, and most only have room for 2-3 tents.
- Campsites are located approximately 200 ft. from the shoreline.
- All sites are accessible from the water, but only some have maintained hiking trails that lead to them.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May 17 to September 30 |
| Forest | Ottawa National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are accepted for 34 sites. There are also 13 first-come, first-served sites available. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of visit. |
| Fees | Day Use: $5 per day per vehicle. $30 per vehicle. Use the fee tube at the Entrance Station or at Clark Lake day use area. Daily fee is required if you leave the campground and park, launch, or use facilities at the Clark Lake Beach and Picnic Area, Clark Lake Canoe Launch, or Crooked Lake Canoe… |
| Rules | Fees shown are for the summer recreation period when full services are provided. During the early spring and late fall when no services are provided the fees at some areas are not charged. Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days, except as otherwise posted. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. |
Weather by month
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 ).
| Nearest town | Watersmeet, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.2447° N, 89.3106° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Cancellations
- If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded.
- If you cancel reservation less than 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus $10 cancellation fee, reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center), and first night’s use fee will be refunded.
- The reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) is non-refundable.
- No Show
- Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBog
32 mi from the campground · 94 acres
- WildfireBlack River
32 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- WildfireBlack River
32 mi from the campground · 382 acres · 60% contained
- WildfireCamp 4 Grade
38 mi from the campground · 16 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Hawks Nest Outfitters ↗ | 23 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
3 Days Solo Canoe Camping in a Backcountry Wilderness
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miKatherine Lake0.3 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 0.4 miThompson Lodge2.5 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miPorcupine Campsite0.3 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 0.9 miCorey Lake0.2 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 1 miClark Lake ↗8.6 mi trail · hiking, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miCrooked/Corey Lake Portage0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Sylvania Wilderness, which overlaps Ottawa National Forest.
- inSylvania Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 15,237 acres
- inOttawa National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,562,423 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
Located along the watershed divide between Lake Superior and the Mississippi River, old-growth northern-hardwood forest and undeveloped lakes are the primary features of the Wilderness. They provide habitat for a wide range of animal and plant life, including rare orchids, bald eagles, loons, and osprey. The wilderness contains 34 named lakes, some with sandy beaches and others surrounded by record-size red and white pines. Several lakes support unique fisheries.
Recreation
Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and backcountry camping are the most popular activities. Campsites are scattered along 8 lakes within the wilderness. There a nearly 30 miles of hiking and portage trails. 18 lakes have maintained portage trails leading to them. Special Fishing Regulations apply
Nearby
Ottawa National Forest Clark Lake Pavilion
Guidebooks for Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
Camping Fee. Reserving Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Campsite Permits are $15 per night. No pass discounts apply to backcountry camping permits, they are classified as a 'Special Recreation Permit.' Passports and Interagency Pass fee discounts do not apply to Special Recreation Permit sites per…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 17 to September 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping have?
50 sites, including 50 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and backcountry camping are the most popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping?
Watersmeet, Michigan. Ottawa National Forest Clark Lake Pavilion
Source: Getting there
What if Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sylvania Campground (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), Lac Vieux Desert Campground (10.6 mi), and Marion Lake Group Site (10.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby