Silver Lake State Park ORV Area
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).