Silver Lake State Park is home to 3 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, a modern campground, nearly 2,000 acres of sand dunes, a day-use area on inland Silver Lake and the 500-acre Silver Lake ORV Area - the only sand dune riding opportunity east of the Mississippi River.
Silver Lake ORV Area is very popular, especially on the weekends, and understanding entry, the voucher system and special rules and regulations ahead of time is suggested. Visitors can bring their own ORVs or rent one with permitted local businesses. Mac Wood's Dune Rides operates an interpretive, 40-minute dune tour.
There are other new ways to explore the dunes. The park now offers a shoreline horseback riding season Nov. 1-30. Fat-tire bike season Dec. 15-March 15. Riders will enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes.
Before visiting a state park, boating site or trail, it’s always a good idea to check the latest closures due to weather-related events, planned improvement projects and repairs. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.
