Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground

in Ottawa National Forest

The numbers that decide it

Longest rig
88 ft
Sites
48
Electric hookups
Yes
Pull-through sites
No
Paved access
Yes
Accessible sites
Not published
Driveway grade
Slight
Bear boxes
Not published
Campfires
Yes
Shade
Yes
Group sites
Not published

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

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.

Before you go

Season

May 17 – September 30

Reservations

First-come, first-served

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: • $22/night per campsite without electrical hook-up • $26/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.

Hours

24 hours – self pay • All rules and regulations apply. • See the pdf for more details .

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.

Accessibility

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

Scenic drives that pass close

Make it a night on a better road

Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.