I have been visiting Quetico for the last 22 years and enjoyed every trip. It is hard however, to string more than a few days together for a conoe/fishing trip beyond my annual trek to Quetico. I have been visiting the Sylvania Wilderness in the U.P. of Michigan a few times each summer for the last 15 years. It is only about 6 hours from my house (as opposed to 12 hours for Quetico) so I can run up there on a three day weekend. Its not Quetico but its the next best thing I know of.

I have never camped there,but I have seen a Forest Service station of some sort in Watersmeet Mi.( I think that is where) as I drive by. Is some type of permit needed, as in the BWCAW? Any other simalar type regulations etc. you could tell me of? What is your opion of the crowd or lack of ?  Thanks

The Sylvania Wilderness is a fine place to go, however, if you go expecting the BWCA or Quetico, you will be very disappointed.  First to answer your question, "are permits needed?".  Yes, and you need to get them very early.  I think the last I knew you had to have a permit no later than May 15th and there were no "walk-ins".  Furthrmore, the campsites are assigned on the permit.  You don't go looking for a campsite (that can be good).   If you want to make a loop, you need to plan it out,  and coordinate your itinerary with the sites you're assigned. Total length of stay is limited to 14 days, which is probably not enough time to portage into all the accessible lakes and make side excursions off on the more remote hiking trails. Group size is limited to 5, although 2 groups can travel together but must have their own sites.

All portage trails are clear and well marked and seldom exceed a half-mile in length. The loop from Crooked Lake to Mountain, East Bear, West Bear, Kerr, and High lakes, is accomplished with six portages that probably add up to a total of less than half a mile. The other major loop--from Clark to Loon, Fisher, Florence, Big Bateau, Cub, and Deer Island--requires several slightly longer portages, but none that are difficult for anyone in reasonably good physical condition. Actually a walk-in-the-park compared to the BWCA and Q.

There are a lot of fishing regulations.

Unlike the BWCA, there is soil under foot.  You can get a tent stake into the ground.  Trees are mature and big and, unlike the BWCA, many hardwoods.  Fire pit.  Box latrine.

I always thought it a great place for a relaxed weekend, or to take kids to, or to take newbies to canoe camping to, etc.

I recommend Sylvania, but IMHO it is more of a state park canoe trail than a wilderness.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a nice place to spend a few days. Will check it out further.

I, too, would like to paddle Sylvania sometime.  It's relatively close for me (four hour drive), so it's a legitimate wilderness canoeing possibility.

Without expecting someone to mention his or her favorite campsite specifically, could someone make a suggestion for some nice campsites?  Also, regarding the loop that people commonly travel, don't remember all the lake names, how long does it take to paddle that loop?  A decent day trip with day pack and otherwise empty canoe?  I'd appreciate your feedback.

Happy Trails...

Hi, Jackfish.  I was to Sylvania once.  We entered and stayed on Crooked the first night. The next day we portaged to Clark Lake, followed by a couple of short portages through Glimmerglass and Hay Lakes to Whitefish Lake and camped there. Then we backtracked to Clark and spent our last night there.  We did a lot of day trips.  The portage from Crooked to Clark was about 112 rods, and the one into Whitefish was about the same. Both were smooth and wide.  Most of the other portages were like 10 - 40 rods, just as easy, just as wide.  The portages are actually old roads.

The three campsites we stayed in were fine.  Nothing special.  I think they see a lot of use.  The campsites are all named by the way.  We stayed at Badger (Crooked), Perch (Whitefish), and Balsam (Clark).  Since they are assigned, we didn't check out any other sites.  It was Labor Day weekend, nearly all were full, and we didn't want to impose.  They all looked pretty similar.

These lakes are pretty small compared to BWCA/Quetico standards.  You could probably do a third of the park in a good day.  BTW there are hiking trails throughout.  When we were short of water at the Clark Lake campsite, instead of filtering some more, we hiked the trail to the campground on the northern end and filled up there.

If you're going for a paddle, or even an overnight or two, you'll have a pleasant time.

There's a map at   (You need to Login or Register

Thanks for the input, Bannock.  Having the map online is very handy.  It's exactly what I was looking for.  

The loop I was referring to is in the northeast part of Sylvania.  It consists of Crooked, Mountain, East Bear, West Bear, Kerr and High Lakes.  

You said you camped at Badger.  If I were camped there (or nearby), how long would it take to paddle that loop with a nearly empty canoe?  

Thanks again for your help!

Happy Trails...

OK ... This will be GUESS!!  I didn't go that route before but I will say that map is deceptive, especially if you're used to BWCA maps.  The lakes are relatively small, the distances shorter.  My trip notes said it was about a 3 mile paddle from the put-in to Badger Campsite.  Using that as a guide, my guess is that you would have about nine miles of paddling and one mile of portaging (easy portaging).  My guess is you could do it in 4 hours, 5 if you took it slow.  Add whatever fishing time you'll do.

Speaking of fishing, it is extremely regulated!  Be sure you know what is going on.  When I was there, Crooked was under normal Michigan regs, but not the rest of the lakes.  Some regs were: No bass could be kept; no barbed hooks; no live bait, and no SCENTED baits.  If you fish I strongly recommend stopping at Sylvania Outfitters to buy your license, buy a couple lure, and chat with the owner there.  He is very nice and extremely helpful in understanding those regs.

Oh, campsites ... Group size is limited to 5, but two groups can travel together.  Campsites are assigned.  However, some campsites have more than one unit, that is more than one group can camp/be assigned there.  Think of a "campsite" as a mini-campground with one, two, or three sites.  The Badger site we were in had two units seperated by perhaps 75 yards.  Each had tent sites and firepit.