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Mears, Michigan

Silver Lake State Park ORV Area

Riding AreaATVDirt BikeSxS / UTV
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About

Silver Lake State Park's ORV Area in Oceana County near Mears on the Lake Michigan shoreline holds a distinction unique in the eastern United States: it is the only designated open-sand dune OHV riding area east of the Mississippi River. The 450-acre dune complex rises 80 to 100 feet above the Lake Michigan waterline, and the combination of the lake backdrop, the open sand, and the elevation relief creates a riding experience with no geographic equivalent in the Midwest or East. Unlike trail-based OHV areas, the open-dune format means the riding is unrestricted within the designated area, no marked routes or one-way corridors, just the dune surface to navigate at the rider's own discretion, which rewards terrain-reading ability and punishes complacency on the steep downslope faces. ATVs, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and full-size ORVs are all permitted on the open dune area. Access requires a Michigan Recreation Passport (the standard DNR vehicle entry pass), a Michigan state ORV license ($26.25/year), and an ORV trail permit ($10/year), no daily gate fee beyond the Recreation Passport. The season is strictly April 1 through October 31: the dune is closed in winter for ecological reasons. Riding hours are 9am–8pm in April and late season, extending to 9am–10pm during the peak May 1 through September 15 window (231-873-3083).

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Park details

Vehicle Types
ATV, Dirt Bike, SxS / UTV
Access
Public land

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Rider reviews

What riders are saying

4.9· 1,522 reviews on Google
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  • T
    Tim Goldsberry· 3 months ago

    First of all I can't believe the state of Michigan lets us come to a place like this and play. How fortunate are we to get to experience this magnificent landscape. The pictures speak for themselves. It's something you have to experience firsthand to really take in the beauty auty and the friendly atmosphere from the people who come and I mean they come from all over

  • A
    Anthony LaRosa· 2 months ago

    Silver Lake State Park Off-Road Vehicle Area is an awesome place to get out on the sand and enjoy the dunes. The scenery is beautiful, the trails are a lot of fun, and it is a great spot for Jeeps and photos. We had a great time exploring the area and would definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys off-roading and lakefront dune views.

  • H
    Holly Courtright· 2 months ago

    We love Silver Lake off Road park been going there for years, from dune buggies, quads, side by sides, jeeps and old square body trucks. Love them all.

  • C
    Chirléy Lima· a year ago

    the perfect spot if you love a mix of adventure and relaxation. The park is famous for its sand dunes, and they truly don’t disappoint. You can ride ORVs, rent dune buggies, or just hike and take in the views. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that feels almost like being in the desert right next to Lake Michigan. The beach area on Lake Michigan is clean, spacious, and great for swimming or just relaxing in the sun. Families will enjoy the picnic areas and the walking trails. The park has a nice balance of excitement on the dunes and calm by the water, so there’s something for everyone. The only thing to be prepared for is that it can get very busy in peak season, and parking fills up fast, so it’s smart to arrive early. But the overall experience makes it worth it.

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Current conditions

97Go/ 100 conditions scoreBest day: Fri, Sep 25 (98)

High today

64°F

Wind

11 kt

Gusts 25 kt

Rain chance

0%

Week ahead

Tue64°F0%
Wed70°F0%
Thu70°F1%
Fri67°F0%
Sat66°F1%
Sun64°F6%
Mon68°F5%

Forecast from Open-Meteo global models (NOAA & ECMWF).

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