Hi friends,

I know this is a BWCA focused site but I have a question for y'all related to Sylvania Wilderness in Michigan. Long story short- I am a big BWCA guy but we have a kiddo due in mid-July and am hoping to get away for a solo trip at the end of June for one last solo paddle camping trip before we are stuck at home forever. Kind of last minute for BWCA standards (I usually book permits on opening morning in January) so there aren't a ton of desirable BWCA permits available and I was thinking of doing something different this time, and that lead me to Sylvania Wilderness.

Obviously I cannot go too far in as I will be "on call" in case anything happens, so I am looking for a relatively easy/quick access and quiet place to paddle, camp, and fish without too many people. 1 or 2 portages would be ideal but I am just looking for that feeling of wilderness with decent fishing (any species) and a decent campsite. Any suggestions??

Sylvania would fit your needs well I think, but you have to reserve campsites in advance, so see what is available for the dates you want to go.

There's pretty good reviews of most campsites on the reservation website.

If you search for "Sylvania" on this website, you will find lots of info, maybe too much. As an example, here is my trip report from August 2021: BWCA fires force a Sylvania trip

I think you'll love Sylvania! I sure enjoyed it.

Like Ausable, I "discovered" it when our 2021 BWCA trip got cancelled due to dry conditions and fires. I enjoyed the first trip so much, I planned another trip for the very next year. Definately more "intimate" than the BWCA and not quite as rugged but still has it's own fun vibe. Campsites are reserved in advance so no pressure to find one as there will be one waiting for you. The fishing rules were a bit of a learning curve for us and catch and release is prevalant so don't plan as heavily on fish meals. A notable exception is the panfish you can keep (we found pretty good success with sunfish on Glimmerglass Lake our second trip there).

I've been in at both main entrances--Clark Lake and Crooked Lake--with Clark being my preferred entrance and maybe my favorite lake in all of Sylvania Widerness. The water on Crooked--especially to the southern end--can be quite murky so don't plan on getting drinking water from that lake, even with a good filter. Conversely, the water on High Lake is about as clear as you can imagine and when camped on Crooked one time we got our drinking water from High as the portage between them is pretty short.

If you are feeling that you need to be "on call", you'll appreciate that nowhere in the park are any of the campsites more than a few hours away from an entrance.

When we were there the showers maintained by the park were not available for use but if you like to clean up with a good shower before heading home, the truck-stop in nearby Watersmeet, MI has them available for a small fee.

Here are videos of each my trips to Sylvania:
2021 trip to Sylvania

2022 Sylvania Canoe Trip

Have Fun!!

If you can do your Sylvania trip during the week you will likely find more open sites. Easily accessed sites with a portage can be found on High Lk from the Crooked Lk launch. For a longer paddle head for Mountain Lk or Loon Lk. Mountain Lk portage is short and maybe 10-15 minutes from the Crooked Lk launch and Loon Lk portage is at the far south end of Clark Lake (Clark Lk launch).

I have taken 3 trips there and as others have mentioned, check what sites are available and plan from there. Keep in mind sites are often “paired” there, so you may see/hear your neighbors. You’re never far from the exit no matter where you go.

There is a fun little day trip loop from Loon Lake to Fisher, Florence, Big Bateau, Cub, Deer Island and back to Loon. Mountain Lake up into East/West Bear is a fun little side trek, and you can loop that into High Lake (ultra clear) then into the motor area of Crooked and back to Mountain as well.

Make sure to get familiar with the fishing regs if you plan to fish, they are very different than the BW. Glimmerglass and both of the Bear lakes are panfish factories. The SMB fishing on Deer Island Lake and the south end of Loon Lake can be phenomenal. Cub has largemouth in numbers but haven’t had luck on size. Clark is popular with day-trippers so I would plan to move past that lake for more solitude.

My trip report from 2021 has some info too.

Plan B: Six Days in Sylvania

I've been to Sylvania twice and had good experiences both times. High Lake is incredible if you can get a reservation, or if the non-reservable site is available. Lots of daytrip options. Agreed, be aware of the special fishing regulations.
Campsites are set back from the water, so don't expect a BWCA style lake view from the fire grate.

Here's another option to consider - one that is easy/quick to get into, has only 2-3 portages (literal highways compared to BWCA), and great fishing but catch and release for bass - can keep panfish) - the Bittersweet Lakes just outside of Woodruff/Minocqua.

Just returned from our first trip there (been going to BW for 20+ yrs) as we only had the weekend. Very, very pleased!!!

Took just less than one hour for paddling and portaging (double portage) from the parking area on Bittersweet lake (need a truck/SUV to drive in) to to northernmost campsite on Oberlin Lake. Two portages - 20 rods and 38 rods. All sandy/gravel entries at portages and camp sites. Great fishing for bass - on all the lakes in the group.Caught 5 bass in first 7 casts. Caught about a dozen in 30-40 mins.

Campsites are reservable thru Wi State Parks camping. Click boat in option and Northern Highland State Forest. Southern section has Bittersweet Lakes.

You can hear traffic at times as you are only a mile or two off the highway. Some other paddlers but after mid-afternoon on Saturday (perfect weather day) we had the lake to ourselves.

If a quick entry/exit, good fishing, wilderness experience is what you are after, this is a great option.