USDA Forest Service · Michigan

Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground

USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States

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Sites
48
Hookups
10 electric, 2 with water, 37 no hookups
Season
May 22 to September 15
Max RV length
88 ft
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
Yes
Dump station
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
1,854 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
FDR6362-C (NFSR 6362-C) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
Lake
Ottawa National Forest
Nearest town
Watersmeet Township
Phone
906-396-5428
Activities
Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

23 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground is located seven miles southwest of Watersmeet, Michigan, adjacent to the 18,327 acre Sylvania Wilderness Area. This 48-site campground provides a home base for visitors who venture into the wilderness on day outings. Also a great camping area in general or overnight camping just 5 minutes off Highway U.S. 2. Some electrical sites available, pressurized toilet facilities and an RV Dump and Water Station. Some sites are reservable but there are always sites available on a first come first serve basis as well!

Recreation

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

Facilities

This campground consists of four 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 campsite offers a wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Drinking water is provided by faucets in loops 2, 3, and 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 a picnic area, canoe access landings, trailheads and a swimming beach. Located adjacent to the campground is a water and sewage dump station for RV's. Some sites are reservable on Recreation.gov but other sites are on a first come, first serve basis and typically there is always a site available.

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 one million acres and is located in the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest's rolling, forest covered hills extend from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls are found throughout this beautiful landscape.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 661-8870.

Nearby Attractions

Bond Falls located about 20 minutes North East. Porcupine Mountains located about 1 hour North West. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore located about 2 hours North East. Keweenaw Peninsula is located about 1.5 hours North.

Fees

No daily fee is required unless 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. Use of these locations requires a daily $5.00 per vehicle fee, or a season pass for $30 per vehicle.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January19°5°-25°39°11 of 11
February22°8°-17°44°11 of 11
March35°20°-3°61°11 of 11
April44°30°9°68°11 of 11
May64°43°29°79°2 of 11
June71°53°42°85°0 of 11
July78°60°51°94°0 of 11
August73°59°52°84°0 of 11
September69°53°38°80°0 of 11
October51°39°26°70°3 of 10
November35°26°6°58°10 of 10
December26°14°-13°49°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.