Dunes open for the season Tuesday

ATV riders at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
– Silver Lake State Park photo

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor.

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — The only place of its kind in the US east of the Mississippi River, the Silver Lake Sand Dunes open for the 2025 season Tuesday, April 1.

Over 1.5 million people visit the scenic and unique park every year, said Silver Lake State Park Manager Jody Johnston. That total includes visitors to the campground, the Little Sable Point Lighthouse and the ORV area.

“As far as an ORV park in the dunes, this is the only place east of the Mississippi,” said Johnston.

Even though early spring weather in Michigan is not usually ideal for outdoor activities, the park manager expects some die-hard “duners” to make the trip. “It’s like the opening day of deer season.”

Follow this flowchart to ensure you’re “dune-ready.”

Two tragic deaths occurred at the dunes last season, and officials are urging dune riders to use caution.

A 33-year-old Pierson, Michigan woman was killed when a Jeep veered out of control at the drag strip of the Silver Lake State Park Sand Dunes, May 26, 2024. Just prior to her being struck, she was able to push her 2-year-old daughter out of harm’s way, very likely saving the toddler’s life.

A second fatal crash occurred Sept. 1, 2024. A 20-year-old Coopersville man died in a crash at the ORV area when the Honda 450 quad he was operating crashed with a Can-Am Side-by-Side. 

“Go slow and take it easy — the dune conditions change through the winter, and they even change day-to-day in the summer on the windy days with shifting and moving sand,” said Johnston. 

“It’s going to be a completely new environment out there, because the dunes have changed so much over the winter,” said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. “There will still be some hard spots and maybe even some frozen spots. We hope everybody out there takes a few extra minutes to acclimate themselves and gets to know the dunes before they go too far or too fast. With the cooler temperatures and the hard sand surface, it’s going to hurt if you fall off. We want them to take it easy.”

– Silver Lake State Park photo

“Our goal is for people to come out here and ride and be safe and then go home at the end of the day,” said the state park manager. Johnston suggests dune users abide by the following DNR’s Ride Right rules to stay safe on the dunes:

• “Keep your head on a swivel” – make a concerted effort to scan and observe in all directions while on the dunes.
• Always practice situational awareness – be aware of the potential hazards that could affect you and other riders.
• Know what is beyond the crest of a hill before traveling up and over it.
• Always operate within your abilities and your vehicle’s capabilities.
• Keep your speed in check.
• Keep your wheels on the ground.
• If you plan to stop/park, choose spots where you are visible 360-degrees — avoid blind spots.
• Don’t “show off” for friends and family members or spectators.
• Stay inside your vehicle while in the ORV area.
• Be aware of any dune-riding fatigue you may experience — most crashes and incidents on the dunes occur later in the day.

“Go slow and make a couple laps to become familiar with the terrain,” he said. “Look out for the guy not looking out for you. We’ve had some serious accidents. There are inherent risks involved.”

– Silver Lake State Park photo

With more types of vehicles these days capable of riding on the dunes, such as SUVs and ATVs, there are more inexperienced operators. 

“People should not drive above their abilities or their vehicles’ capabilities. That leads to a lot of accidents. Don’t push the limits — that’s when bad things happen.”

There have been as many as 170 incident reports on the dunes in one season, he said, but that number also includes non-injury crashes. “For the number of people there, in my opinion, that is a pretty low number.”

Because there was a more “traditional” winter this year than we’ve had in previous years, state park workers have been pushing to get more preparation work done before opening day, said Johnston. “This year, the winter weather has hindered us.” 

The campground opens for the season April 15. 

Hours at the ORV area through April 30 are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on May 1, the hours extend until 10 p.m. through Sept. 15. The dunes remain open for the season through Oct. 31. “From Fool’s Day to Ghoul’s Day,” the dunes are open.

Traditional events return this summer, such as the Jeep Invasion, Heroes on the Dunes and Fourth of July Fireworks. 

Social media has increased the dunes’ popularity, said Johnston. “People are really sharing the times they have here and the scenery through pictures. I think that increases the popularity of visitation — another reason why we’re so busy here.”

Recently-added recreational activities make the dunes a year-round destination with horseback riding during the month of November and fat tire biking Dec. 15 to March 15. 

Horseback riders are required to pre-register, because it is limited to 125 riders per day. Reservations begin Sept. 1. “It is very, very popular,” said Johnston. “They ride on the lakeshore.” Equestrians are required to clean up the manure. 

The park manager strongly advises people to make preparations before visiting the busy park by researching the official state park website rather than posting questions on various social media pages. Camping reservations can be made on the state park website. For questions not answered on the website, call the park at 231-873-3083. Messages can also be sent to the Silver Lake State Park Facebook page. It is also helpful to review the Think Dunes Chamber of Commerce website.

Department of Natural Resources staff has previously closed off an area of the dunes to protect an endangered species’ nesting site temporarily. It is required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to safeguard the Great Lakes Piping Plover nests. The DNR is required by several rules and laws — including the Endangered Species Act — to protect the birds.

“We need to continue to accommodate that, but it’s too early to tell if they’re going to nest there,” said Johnston. “They’re probably still migrating.”

For those who are not interested in cruising through the dunes on an ORV or dune buggy, there is also a pedestrian area at Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited in the ORV area and within a quarter mile of its boundaries at all times. 

Flashing lights on vehicles other than hazard lights are not permitted. The blinking lights cause confusion for other dune users who often mistake them for emergency vehicle lights.

Unlicensed ORVs can operate on Fox Road from the Collin Hansen Welcome Center to the ORV entrance, Johnston said, which was a change implemented in 2019. The change came about due to limited parking in the ORV area. Because it is situated in a critical dunes area, the state park cannot expand the ORV parking lot, he said. However, parking at the welcome center was expanded. All permits are sold at the welcome center, which cuts down on time spent waiting in line to get into the dunes, he said. 

There is an air station at the welcome center, so people can air up after using the dunes. Tire pressure should be reduced at least 15 pounds, so vehicles sit better on top of the sand, Johnston said. 

If your vehicle is dune-ready, state park officials are asking dune riders to not sit in the ORV parking lot to wait for the dunes to open at 9 a.m. due to traffic backups.

Duners must make sure their vehicles are in compliance with ORV laws by having adequate muffler systems.

Rustic bathrooms/vault toilets are available on the dunes. A food vendor will also be on hand this summer. Lighthouse Grill at Hideaway Campground will serve hungry dune enthusiasts starting around mid-May. 

One of the challenges this time of year can be having enough staff, Johnston said. The state park is currently accepting applications for seasonal employment. The pay rate for seasonal workers is $15.25 per hour.

A dune-ready express lane expedites entering the dunes. To be considered dune-ready, vehicles must have proper tire air pressure of 15 psi or lower, properly mounted orange dune flag, seats and safety belts, ORV permit, ORV trail permit and state park recreation passport, not be towing another vehicle, etc.

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