MEARS, Michigan — Get ready for a thrill, West Michigan! Silver Lake State Park is now open for the season for ORV use.
Starting April 1, ORVs are welcome in the park from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can bring your own ORV or rent one from Silverback Offroad ORV Rental, which also opens on April 1. Other nearby rental locations open later in the season. You can also visit DuneLand Off-Road Center just off the dunes for fuel, equipment and more.
Starting May 17, you won't need any equipment. You can get a guided tour from a tourist-favorite, Mac Wood’s Dune Ride.
To get out on the dunes, you must be 16 or older with a valid driver's license, an ORV permit, ORV trails permit and a recreational passport. All children 12 and older can operate an ORV if they have an ORV Safety Training Certificate.
Silver Lake State Park is open until Oct. 31. Their hours extend in the busy season, May 1 to Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
From Sept. 16 through Oct. 31, their hours return to 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The fun continues throughout the summer at Silver Lake through various events. A full list from park officials below:
- May 30 – June 2: Silver Lake Sand Dunes Jeep Invasion
- June 10 – 11: 51st National Asparagus Festival
- July 4: Thunder Over the Dunes Fireworks
- August 4 – 5: Bronco Takeover
- August 22 – 26: Oceana County Fair
- September 8 – 9: Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Festival
Your vehicle must meet the following requirements to get out on the dunes, according to the DNR:
- If you have an off-road vehicle, it is 4-wheel drive.
- Your vehicle tires are filled to a maximum of 15 PSI.
- You have an international orange safety flag on your vehicle.
- If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, your safety flag is mounted to the front bumper of your vehicle, 10 feet off the ground.
- If you have an ATV or motorcycle, your safety flag is mounted to the rear of the vehicle, 10 feet off the ground.
- Your vehicle meets the sound level rules and testing requirements.
- Your vehicle has seat belts (occupants must be belted at all times).
- If your vehicle does not have a metal roof or a roll bar, occupants are wearing American National Standards Institute (ANSI) certified helmets or the equivalent at all times.
- If your vehicle does not have a windshield, occupants are wearing eye protection at all times.
Follow all the vehicle guidelines using this list from the Silver Lake Sand Dunes DNR.
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