Silver Lake State Park in Mears, Michigan sits between Lake Michigan and the inland Silver Lake, encompassing nearly 3,000 acres that include almost 2,000 acres of shifting sand dunes, a four-mile Lake Michigan beach, wooded hiking trails, a working lighthouse, and the only motorized sand dune riding area east of the Mississippi River. It’s one of Michigan’s most distinctive outdoor destinations, and the surrounding community of Hart and Mears adds a full range of dining, water sports rentals, and local events. Here’s what to know before you go.
Drive the 450-Acre ORV Area
The Silver Lake ORV Area is the defining attraction of the park and genuinely unique in the eastern United States — it’s the only sand dune area east of the Mississippi River where visitors are permitted to drive personal motorized vehicles over open dunes. The riding area covers 450 acres with elevation changes of 80 to 100 feet and direct access to Lake Michigan at the top of the dunes.
To enter, visitors need a Michigan Recreation Passport, an ORV license, and an ORV trail permit. All vehicles must also display a 10-foot orange safety flag at standstill (8 feet while moving). On summer weekends and holidays, a parking lot voucher system is also required — check the Michigan DNR’s Silver Lake ORV page for the current permit process before visiting, as the system has changed in recent years. Visitors can bring their own 4×4, ATV, or UTV, or rent one through local outfitters in Mears. The ORV area is open April 1 through October 31. Fat-tire biking on the dunes is permitted December 15 through March 15.
For those who’d rather ride as a passenger, Mac Wood’s Dune Rides has operated guided 40-minute tours through the dunes since 1930 and is the only tour company permitted within the park. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season.
Walk the Pedestrian Dunes
Two-thirds of the dune area is reserved for foot traffic only, and walking the dunes is free with a Recreation Passport. The classic route crosses from the parking area up over the dunes to Lake Michigan — a round trip of roughly 1.5 miles with significant elevation change. It’s harder than it looks on the way back up. The views from the dune crests looking across both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan are among the best in the state. No trails are formally marked; most visitors simply pick a path up the nearest ridge. Go early on summer weekends to avoid the ORV crowds.
Climb the Little Sable Point Lighthouse
The Little Sable Point Lighthouse, completed in 1874, stands over 100 feet tall at the southern end of Silver Lake State Park and remains one of the tallest lighthouses in Michigan. The brick tower still houses its original third-order Fresnel lens, one of only a handful of operational lenses of this type remaining on the Great Lakes. The keeper’s quarters that once stood alongside it were demolished in 1954 when the light was automated.
The lighthouse is open for climbing from mid-May through mid-October; verify the current season schedule at the Lakeshore Keepers website (lakeshorekeepers.org). A small admission fee is charged to climb the 130 steps to the top. The surrounding beach makes an excellent picnic spot, and the Lakeshore Keepers volunteer organization hosts a free summer concert series at the base of the tower on alternating Wednesday evenings. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the lighthouse parking lot.
Water Sports on Silver Lake and Lake Michigan
The inland Silver Lake covers 690 acres and offers calmer, warmer water than Lake Michigan — a good option for swimming, kayaking, and motorized water sports when the big lake is too choppy or cold. Multiple outfitters in Mears rent kayaks, paddleboards, personal watercraft, ski boats, and pontoons. The state park has public boat launch access for Silver Lake.
Lake Michigan itself offers four miles of beach within the park for swimming, surf fishing (primarily salmon and lake trout), and sandboarding — boards can be rented from local outfitters. The beach between the dunes and Lake Michigan is accessible by hiking over the dunes from the pedestrian access area.
Michigan’s Great Lakes are among the best freshwater paddling destinations in the country. If you’re planning more water adventures on this trip, our guide to kayaking on Lake Michigan covers what to know before getting on the water.
Bike the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail
The William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park is a 22-mile paved rail-trail running from Hart south to Montague through asparagus fields, orchards, Christmas tree farms, and small towns including Mears, Shelby, and New Era. The trail is 10 feet wide, largely flat, and passes through some of the most scenic agricultural landscape in western Michigan. It was Michigan’s first paved rail-trail when it opened in 1989 and was donated to the state by local fruit grower William Field, who purchased the abandoned railroad corridor in 1982.
The trail connects to additional paths at the Montague end near White Lake. Bike rentals are available in Mears and Montague. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicles parked at state park trailheads.
Attend the National Asparagus Festival
Oceana County is one of the leading asparagus-producing regions in the United States and markets itself as the Asparagus Capital of the Nation. The National Asparagus Festival, held annually the second weekend in June in Hart, is the longest-running asparagus festival in the country, celebrating its 50th year in 2023. Events include a parade, a Taste of Asparagus competition, live music, arts and crafts vendors, farm tours, and a car show. It draws visitors from across Michigan and the region each year.
Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center
Craig’s Cruisers in Silver Lake offers go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, cable water skiing, and an arcade. It’s a reliable rainy-day fallback or a change-of-pace activity for families spending multiple days in the area. Pricing is per-attraction; verify current hours and rates directly with the venue.
Country Dairy Farm
Country Dairy in New Era — about 10 miles east of Mears along the Hart-Montague Trail corridor — is a working dairy farm that offers public tours, a farm store, a café, and ice cream made on the premises. It’s a genuine agricultural operation rather than a manufactured attraction, and the farm store carries local produce and dairy products. Tours run seasonally; check their website for current schedules. It makes a natural stop if you’re biking the trail.
Explore Downtown Hart
Hart is a small lakeside county seat about four miles east of the dunes, and worth a stop for its walkable downtown, local restaurants, and the Oceana County Historical Museum, which covers the region’s lumber and agricultural history. The Hart Railroad Depot and a historic caboose are nearby landmarks. The downtown is also the gathering point for the National Asparagus Festival each June.
Practical Tips for Visiting Silver Lake
Summer weekends — especially July 4th weekend — are the busiest period at the dunes, with ORV permits and campsite reservations selling out well in advance. The park requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for all vehicles; day passes can be purchased at the park entrance. ORV permits must be purchased separately. Camping within Silver Lake State Park is available and fills quickly in summer — book through the Michigan DNR reservation system as early as possible. The town of Mears has additional lodging options including motels and vacation rentals, as does Hart.
If Silver Lake is part of a broader Michigan road trip, the state has exceptional outdoor destinations throughout the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Our guide to the best Michigan vacations covers options across the state. For paddlers, the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin are a natural extension of any Great Lakes-focused trip, and those interested in more state park experiences can browse our state parks camping guide for comparison.
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