Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground

Area Status: Open

Adjacent to the 18,327 Sylvania Wilderness is Clark Lake Campground. A day use area with a beach, canoe landing and trailheads is available. Perfect for anyone who wants to take day trips into the wilderness, but wants a few more ammenities 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.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	The status of the Clark Lake Pavilion for the 2023 season is planned as follows: The pavilion will be open and taking reservations. Flush toilets will be open and available for use. At this time, it is uncertain whether the shower facilities will be available. Please check back frequently for updates and the status of this facility. We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Operational Hours:	24 hours – self pay All rules and regulations apply. See the pdf for more details.
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.
Area Amenities:	Accessible,Boat ramp,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water,Parking
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 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.
Permit Info:	All daytime and overnight users of the campgorund and wilderness must have a permit which can be obtained from the Slyvania Entrance Station
Open Season:	May 18 - October 9
Usage:	Medium-Heavy
Best Season:	June-September
Busiest Season:	July-August
Restrictions:	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.
Closest Towns:	Watersmeet, Mi., is 7 miles to the northeast and Ironwood, Mi., is 39 miles to the west.
Water:	Drinking Water-Pressurized Faucets
Restroom:	Pressurized & Accessible Vault Toilets and Showers
Passes:	Pass Information for Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area, Black River Harbor Recreation Area and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area.
Operated By:	Northwoods Property Management under a special use permit. Contact Chase Erickson at 906-396-5428.
Information Center:	The day use area is managed by the Ottawa National Forest. For more information or questions please contact the Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4724.

General Information

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:

Available at the Day Use/Beach area and carry down access landings

Accessibility:

Clark lake campground is accessible from paved roads that are maintained by State and County.

Activities

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, a picnic area, conoe access landings, trail heads and a swimming beach. Also located adjacent to the campground is a trailer dump station, there is a $5 fee to use the trailer dump station.

General Info:

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
Status:	Open
Open Season:	January-December
Permit required?:	Y
Best Season:	June-September
Difficulty Level:	Easy to Intermediate

Day Hiking

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?:	Y
Difficulty Level:	Intermediate to Difficult

Picnicking

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
Status:	Open
Permit required?:	Y
Hours of Operation:	The day use area is open from 6am - 10pm daily
Difficulty Level:	Easy

Swimming

Clark Lake has a swimming beach for your enjoyment. Also there is a day use building with restrooms and showers.

General Info:

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 life guards on duty so please use caution and supervise all childern.

Clothing Requirements	Bathing Suit Required. No Lifeguard On Duty. No soaps or cleaning agents are permitted in any Wilderness lake.
Status:	Open
Permit required?:	Y
Difficulty Level:	Easy

Amenities

Camping trailer:	48 Sites
Picnic tables:	In each campsite
Tent camping:	48 Sites
Parking:	Parking available in Day Use Area and carry down access landings.
Toilets:	Flush toilets in restrooms located in loops 3 & 4 . An Accessible vault toilet is located in loop 1.
Fee charged for some activities:	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.
Accessible:	Vault toilet located in the campground
Boat ramp:
Drinking water:	Pressurized faucets provide water to the restrooms and faucets located near campsites #16, 19, 25, 27, 33, 44, and 46 in loops 2, 3, & 4.