Clark Lake Pavilion

Campground · Michigan · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Ottawa National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
17 ft
Max rig length
up to 100
People per site
1
Accessible site
1,814 ft
Elevation
View of the inside of the Clark Lake pavilion with windows, bench, and picnic tables.
Photo: USDA Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Overview

Planning a visit to the Clark Lake Pavilion? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. The Clark Lake Pavilion, located within the Clark Lake day use area, sits in a beautiful north woods setting; at the north end of Clark Lake. The pavilion provides a large indoor gathering area complete with picnic tables, limited seating and a fireplace. The large parking area serves as parking for the pavilion and Clark Lake day use area; there are 46 parking spots, 2 accessible parking spots, and 1 bus/larger vehicle parking spot.

Recreation

Clark Lake day use area, Clark Lake campground, and the Sylvania Wilderness provide visitors with a multitude of opportunities to enjoy picnicking, paddling, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping and the solitude of wilderness. With more than 30 named lakes, 26 miles of hiking trails, and 50 backcountry campsites on the wilderness landscape there are no shortage of hiking, paddling, and camping opportunities throughout the area. The Clark Lake campground is just a short drive from the pavilion and provides an overnight camping option for those wishing to camp in the area.

Facilities

The Clark Lake day use area offers a large outdoor picnic area complete with picnic tables and grills, a beautiful sandy beach, as well as an enclosed pavilion with a fireplace. Co-located within the pavilion are flush toilets facilities. Nearby, the Clark Lake campground offers four camping loops with a total of 48 campsites, paved access roads, pressurized water system, flush toilets and a trailer dump station. There are canoe access landings at the north end of Crooked Lake and Clark Lake to access paddling opportunities within the wilderness.

Natural Features

The Clark Lake pavilion sits just outside the Sylvania Wilderness boundary at the north end of Clark Lake. Clark Lake is a crystal clear lake with a natural sandy shoreline, providing excellent swimming and outdoor picnic opportunities just a short walk from the pavilion.

Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres of primitive lands and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. With its untouched, virgin timber still standing tall, Sylvania looks and feels today like it did when it was first discovered. Sylvania Wilderness welcomes the new and returning visitor with towering, ancient trees, the lonesome call of loons and soft pine needles underfoot. A staggering 4,000 acres of this wilderness is covered by water.

Nearby Attractions

The Wilderness Lakes Trails system encompasses 38 miles of bike and pedestrian trails that traverse Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as encircling Sylvania Wilderness. This trail system provides a multitude of riding and pedestrian opportunities and has something for everyone. The Land O' Lakes cross country ski trails, adjacent to Sylvania Wilderness, offer approximately 6.5 miles of groomed ski trail. Whether you are an expert skier, or a beginner, you're sure to find a favorite trail that lets you enjoy the great outdoors all winter long. The almost one million acres of the Ottawa National Forest are located in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The forest extends from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. The area is rich in wildlife viewing opportunities; breathtaking views of rolling hills dotted with lakes, rivers and waterfalls; and spectacular fall colors.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations

  • If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded.
  • If you cancel reservation less than 14 days prior to check in date, you forfeit the entire total paid. 

No Show

Staff will hold facility until check-in time on the arrival date.

For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.   

The facts

  • 1 bookable site
  • 1 site for day use only
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 17 ft
  • Up to 100 people per site
  • Loops: CLARK LAKE PAVILION

Site types

  • 1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Clark Lake Pavilion

Check-in 6:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeMax rigPeople
Clark Lake PavilionCLARK LAKE PAVILIONGroup Shelter ElectricPull ThroughPavedSlight17 ft100♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Watersmeet, Michigan: Travel approximately 3.5 miles west on US Highway 2 to Country Road 535. Turn left (south) onto County Road 535 and travel approximately 4 miles to the Sylvania Recreation Area entrance. From the Sylvania Recreation Area entrance, follow the signs to the Clark Lake day use area.

46.24472, -89.31056 · 46°14'41.0"N 89°18'38.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in1.41.21.72.83.84.15.03.42.43.71.81.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Recreation Fee $100.00 per day  Reservation Fee $8.00 per reservation if made on-line $9.00 per reservation if made through the call center The reservation fee is non-refundable. 

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Clark Lake Pavilion

Can you reserve a site at Clark Lake Pavilion?
Yes, Clark Lake Pavilion is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Clark Lake Pavilion have?
1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Clark Lake Pavilion?
17 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Clark Lake Pavilion?
Yes, pets are allowed at Clark Lake Pavilion.

Camping near Clark Lake Pavilion

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.