45
Ottawa National Forest › Watersmeet Ranger District › Michigan
› Iron County
› Crystal Falls
› Sylvania Campground
› Campsite #45
Campsite #45 at Sylvania Campground, MI
$23
Campsite #45
| Drive-In | 8 people |
| 53 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
5/22
5/31
Campsite #45 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 53ft driveway, 20 amp hookup, Fire ring, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (6)
3.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 17% |
| 4 star | | 50% |
| 3 star | | 33% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@TerryF9430129 · Camped on Jun 22, 2023 at Campsite #45
I would have gladly given the experience an excellent rating if only rating the campground, which is managed by a private concern. The hosts are friendly, helpful, and keep the campground and it's facilities in 5-star condition.
We have been camping in Sylvania for more than 25 years at least once, and many times 2 to 3 times a year. Up until the mid 2000 teens the showers, which are managed by the Forest Service, were of old style locker room type and were becoming in need of upgrading. Finally they were upgraded which took them out of service for an entire summer, which while inconvenient, we still would have given a good rating for the campground for our annual trip. Why wouldn't you do this in the off season?
So along came covid, and the Forest Service decided it would be too difficult to keep the showers open even though the campground, which again is managed by a private concern, was able to stay open and the hosts were able to keep the restrooms open and everything operating in as good a way as ever. Sadly the forest service has not seen the need to restore services to at least some of the facilities it is responsible for to the same level as they were prior to the pandemic, which is namely the showers, occurring even though we have not seen any reduction in the fees they expect to collect. While they indicate this is due to a labor shortage one has to wonder how the campground is able to operate as the five star operation we feel it is.
They no longer staff the entrance station while we don't see this as an inconvenience, thankfully again the excellent campground hosts are available to answer questions from new campers. While we will continue to use this wonderful facility, hopefully for many more years, we are concerned with what seems to be a lack of urgency to restoring the prior services and whether this may be the direction it is heading.
We have been camping in Sylvania for more than 25 years at least once, and many times 2 to 3 times a year. Up until the mid 2000 teens the showers, which are managed by the Forest Service, were of old style locker room type and were becoming in need of upgrading. Finally they were upgraded which took them out of service for an entire summer, which while inconvenient, we still would have given a good rating for the campground for our annual trip. Why wouldn't you do this in the off season?
So along came covid, and the Forest Service decided it would be too difficult to keep the showers open even though the campground, which again is managed by a private concern, was able to stay open and the hosts were able to keep the restrooms open and everything operating in as good a way as ever. Sadly the forest service has not seen the need to restore services to at least some of the facilities it is responsible for to the same level as they were prior to the pandemic, which is namely the showers, occurring even though we have not seen any reduction in the fees they expect to collect. While they indicate this is due to a labor shortage one has to wonder how the campground is able to operate as the five star operation we feel it is.
They no longer staff the entrance station while we don't see this as an inconvenience, thankfully again the excellent campground hosts are available to answer questions from new campers. While we will continue to use this wonderful facility, hopefully for many more years, we are concerned with what seems to be a lack of urgency to restoring the prior services and whether this may be the direction it is heading.
@AaronE9637830 · Camped on Jun 7, 2023 at Campsite #45
Beautiful campground with nice bathrooms. The day use buildings was the most impressive. The showers were in the day use building and I’m guessing those were just as nice but they had the lm closed due to labor shortage.
@DavidK640 · Camped on Sep 16, 2021 at Campsite #45
Sylvania is a beautiful campground. There is plenty to do whether you are on the water or like to hike. I would have given it 5 stars but the National Forest Service is not fully operational and did not have the shower house or information center open. It is time to open back up!!!!!
@FredrickM644 · Camped on Aug 2, 2021 at Campsite #45
Really enjoyed being at Clark Lake,Sylvania Wilderness Area. Very quiet and scenic. Would have been better if the shower building was open.
The host, Bill does a great job.
The host, Bill does a great job.
@TerryF547 · Camped on Jul 25, 2021 at Campsite #45
I can only give it 3 stars due to the fact that showers, some bathrooms, and entrance center remain closed. Let me be clear this is due to the National Forest Service, who is responsible for that part of the facility not doing their job. The campground host , as always, goes above and beyond.
@JoeL455 · Camped on Jul 12, 2021 at Campsite #45
The campground itself was great! Clean restrooms, private campsites and extremely helpful camp hosts. The only complaint was there was no mention online about the "adjacent shower facilities and day use areas being closed due to Covid 19. Had that info been available we would have packed differently and provided an alternate shower facility. Since this was a seasonal closure I feel that there should have been something posted for users to see.
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