Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground
Adjacent to the 18,327 Sylvania Wilderness is Clark Lake Campground. A day use area with a canoe landing and trailheads is available. Perfect for anyone who wants to take day trips into the wilderness but wants a few more amenities while camping.
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.
Reservations
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.
- Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance of visit.
- Go to: Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to make a reservation.
General Information
Campground Camping
Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground is located 7 miles southwest of Watersmeet, Mi., adjacent to the 18,327 acre Sylvania Wilderness Area. This 48 site campground provides a home base for wilderness visitors who venture into the wilderness on day outings. Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground provides more amenities than what is provided in the wilderness area. This campground consists of 4 camping loops with a total of 48 campsites and provides drive-in campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers and motor homes. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening. Each site offers a wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Drinking water is provided by faucets in loops 2, 3, & 4, while two flush toilet facilities and one accessible vault toilet are evenly spaced throughout the campground. Also located adjacent to the campground is a day use facility that has showers (currently closed pending repairs, thank you for your patience), a picnic area, canoe access landings, trail heads and a swimming beach.
Seasonal Information: The campground is scheduled to open with full services the Friday before Memorial Day. This date is subject to change, please contact the Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4551 for additional information.
- No. of Sites: 48
- Fire Information: Fire ring in each campsite
- No. of Accessible sites: 0
- Sleeping Shelter: No
- Permit: Required
- Best Season: June-September
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate
May 17 - September 30
24 hours – self pay
- All rules and regulations apply.
- See the pdf for more details.
All daytime and overnight users of the campgorund and wilderness must have a permit which can be obtained from the Slyvania Entrance Station
- Pass Information for Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area, Black River Harbor Recreation Area and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area.
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. Campers must occupy the site the first night. Eight people and 2 motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site.
Clark Lake Campground:
$18/night per campsite without electrical hook-up
$23/night per campsite with electric hook-up.
If you have a reservation, proceed to campground. If you do not have a reservation, proceed to the self-serve fee station located at the CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE to register and pay camp site fee. DO NOT PAY ANY CAPMING FEES AT DAY USE FEE TUBES.
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 Launch. Pass Information for Sylvania Wilderness, Black River Harbor Recreation Area and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area Clark Lake Campground:
- $18/night per campsite without electrical hook-up
- $23/night per campsite with electric hook-up.
If you have a reservation, proceed to campground. If you do not have a reservation, proceed to the self-serve fee station located at the CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE to register and pay camp site fee. DO NOT PAY ANY CAPMING FEES AT DAY USE FEE TUBES.
Address: E23979 US 2 East Watersmeet, MI 49969
Phone: 906-358-4551
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CT) (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.24029372
Longitude: -89.3223604
Directions
From Watersmeet, Mi., take US 2 west approximately 3 ½ miles to County Road 535, turn left onto County Road 535 and travel approximately 3 ½ miles to the Sylvania Wilderness Recreation Area entrance on left.
Parking
Parking available in Day Use Area and carry down access landings.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
In each campsite
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single Info
Sylvania Recreation area provides a large picnicking area that is co-located with the Clark Lake day use area and pavilion. There are several tables and grills provided.
The Clark Lake pavilion, located within the Clark Lake day use area, sits in a beautiful north wood setting, at the north end of Clark Lake. The pavilion provides a large indoor gathering area complete with picnic tables, limited seating, and a fireplace.
- No. of Sites: 5
- Fire Information: Outdoor grills
- No. of Accessible Sites: 0
- Permit: Required
- Hours of Operation: The day use area is open from 6am - 10pm daily
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Swimming Info
Clark Lake has a swimming beach for your enjoyment. Also, there is a day use building with restrooms and showers.
- Permits & Regulations: All daytime and overnight users must have a permit that can be obtained at the Sylvania Entrance Station. No soaps or cleaning agents are allowed in Clark Lake or any other Wilderness lake.
- Safety Information: There are no lifeguards on duty so please use caution and supervise all children.
- Clothing Requirements: Bathing Suit Required. No Lifeguard On Duty. No soaps or cleaning agents are permitted in any Wilderness lake.
- Permit: Required
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Day Hikes Info
There are about 26 miles of trail that wind through old growth forest and along lake shores. The trails are unmarked.
- Status: Open
- Permit: Required
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Difficult