Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground
Clark Lake, near Watersmeet · Ottawa National Forest
Forty-eight drive-in sites in four loops on Clark Lake, an Ottawa National Forest campground next to the Sylvania Wilderness. Old-growth woods with vegetation between sites for screening, so you get shade and some privacy. Swimming beach and non-motorized boat and canoe access on the lake, flush toilets plus a vault toilet, drinking water in most loops, a few sites with electric, dump station nearby. The lakes are no-motor and it runs dark and quiet, with little to no cell service.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
Works for hammock, tent, RV, van / car. Measured dark skies, a real one for stargazing.
Hanging a hammock?
Hammocks are fine in Michigan state parks. There's no rule against them. The rule is about the tree: use wide, tree-friendly straps, no nails or wire, and don't tear the bark. The state sets no strap or tree-size requirement, so when in doubt, ask the park. We'll point you at sites that likely have trees worth hanging from, but we can't see the trunks, so eyeball it on arrival.
The facts
- 48 reservable sites.
- Has accessible sites.
- Reserved through recreation.gov, not us. We don't track openings here yet.
About 7 miles southwest of Watersmeet, in the far western UP.
Thicket is not the Forest Service and not affiliated with it. The facts come from the federal RIDB (public domain); the vibe read is our estimate from open data (OpenStreetMap, USGS elevation, NASA Black Marble nighttime light). Sites, fees, and access can change. Confirm and book at recreation.gov, and leave no trace.