Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

Overview

Planning a trip to the Sylvania Wilderness? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. The Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres of primitive lands and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Visitors can camp in 50 designated campsites within the Sylvania Wilderness. Visitors enjoy endless canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Recreation

Sylvania's abundant lakes provide plentiful non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Other popular activities include hiking and viewing wildlife.

Facilities

Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camp is not a physical campground located at one location. The 50 individual sites are located along eight lakes within the Sylvania Wilderness. Camping is allowed only at designated sites. Campsites are primitive, but each is equipped with a campfire ring and a wilderness latrine.

Natural Features

The old-growth forests and pristine lakes in the region 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. The Ottawa National Forest is comprised of nearly 1 million acres and is located in the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest's rolling, tree covered hills extend from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls are found throughout this beautiful landscape.

Charges & 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 nights 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. For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.

Recreation Fees Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry 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 FSH 2309.13. Registered Sylvania Backcountry Campers are not required to pay the day use fee solely for parking a vehicle at Clark Lake or Crooked Lake Boat Landing areas to access backcountry campsites. Use of the Clark Lake day use area is not included in the backcountry permit fee and does require a daily $5.00 per vehicle fee, or a season pass for $30 per vehicle. The season pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area. Pass Discounts 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 FSH 2309.13. Reservation Fee $8.00 per reservation if made on-line $9.00 per reservation if made through the call center The reservation fee is non-refundable.