Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI

SHORELEAVE
by Mira Temkin
Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI
Famous for its sand, this charming park knows how to “Do the Dunes!”
he large, towering dunes beckon, standing tall as a proud
testament to Mother Nature and welcoming those who
come to conquer her soaring peaks. Located on the Lake
Michigan shoreline between Muskegon and Ludington,
Silver Lake is often called Michigan’s “Golden Coast.” With
sister cities Hart and Mears nearby, the area promises plenty
of prime beach town recreation and fun in the sun.
Climb to the top of these 70-foot dunes and be rewarded
with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan that, well, seem to go
on forever. Some ride the hills and valleys in a dune buggy,
others in their own ATV vehicles, and many adventurers
just simply hike to the top. The pure joy and exhilaration
of running down the dunes is what brings people back,
summer after summer. Whatever your preference, boaters
coming to Silver Lake Sand Dunes will discover the ultimate
outdoor adventure in the sand.
Come play in Silver Lake State Park
In Michigan, dunes line much of the Great Lakes shore
with expanses of continually shifting sand. The Silver Lake
Sand Dunes are considered one of the largest living dunes on
Lake Michigan, which means they’re still
growing and shifting. Along this four-mile
shoreline lies Silver Lake State Park —
open from April 1 to October 31 — which
features nearly 3,000-acres of protected
dunes and mature forests.
“The dunes are divided into three
separate areas,” says Deanna Helmlinger, executive director
of the Silver Lakes Chamber of Commerce. “The north area
features 450 acres for ORV driving, which is very popular,
the middle for walking or sandboarding and the south area
for dune tours, given by Mac Woods Dune Rides.”
“The Mac Woods Dune Rides are a perfect introduction
to the Dunes,” Helmlinger continues. The company has
been providing fun, safe rides since 1930 and offers a 7-mile,
40-minute tour that glides up and down the sand in a 4-wheel
drive Dune Scooter. Their knowledgeable guides offer
valuable insights into the history of the area, as well as the
environmental changes that impact the dunes.
“What makes these dunes so special is that they’re the
only sand dunes you can ride on east of the Mississippi,”
says Helmlinger.
Lighthouse on the beach
There are more lighthouses that line the shores of Lake
Michigan than any other state in the U.S. Little Sable
Point Lighthouse is rather unique because this 100-foot
tall, fully-functioning lighthouse sits right on the beach.
Built in 1874, the tower still harbors its
original third-order Fresnel lens. For a
small admission fee, visitors can tour the
lighthouse from May until September
and climb to the top. The Sable Point
Lighthouse Keepers Association also
sponsors free concerts on the beach in
July and August.
Get your motor running…
Ready for the ride of your life? Hop aboard,
start the engine and experience an exciting
journey through the dunes, bumping high
and low across natural sand terrain. Rent a dune buggy
large enough for your group with single, two, four, five
and six-seater options to sail through the sand. Silver Lake
Buggy Rentals offer a variety of vehicles that come with a
guaranteed thrill.
Take on the dunes in a rugged Jeep Wrangler from
Parrot’s Landing in Mears.
“You can caravan with a leader through the dunes for an
hour-long adventure,” says Dutch Terhaar, general manager,
“or you can rent the Jeep and explore the dunes on your own.”
One of their most popular tours is the Sunset Tour where
you can watch the sunset from the top of a dune.
“It’s an incredible experience you will long remember,”
Terhaar adds.
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LAKELANDBOATING.COM
LIGHTHOUSE PHOTO BY MARK BAUHS; MAC WOODS PHOTO BY
DICKNDEBBIETRAVEL.COM; BUGGIY PHOTO COURTESY OF SILVER LAKE CVB
T
TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF HART CVB; SMALLER PHOTOS COURTESY OF
SILVER LAKE CVB
Love to water ski or tube? Let Parrots Landing pull you
along in one of its ski boats on the water. Looking for even
more adventure? Hit the waves with a powerful Jet Ski.
Surf the dunes on a sandboard
You’ve heard of snowboarding. Sandboarding is similar,
using the height of the dunes to rapidly leverage speed
as you glide down the sand. According to Sandboarding
Magazine, the Silver Lake dunes are considered the best
place on the Great Lakes for sandboarding because the sand
is fast, clean and easily accessible.
Rent everything you need for sandboarding at The Sand
Box in Mears, which includes the board, special sandboard
wax and a helmet.
“Our sandboards are specifically designed just for
sandboarding,” says Terri Sharpe, owner of The Sand Box.
You can choose to sit down and ride like a sled, or stand up.
With either type, the boards have to be waxed before each run.
“People love it because it’s exhilarating and it’s easy for
kids to do. There’s nothing quite like a run down the dunes
under your own power,” adds Sharpe.
The Sand Box is open from Memorial Day through
Labor Day and carries a full line of bathing suits, body and
skim boards for water sports, as well as camping equipment.
Fairs and festivals bring out the best
Throughout the summer, the Silver Lake Sand Dunes area
hosts several weekly festivals showcasing lots of good food, live
music and fireworks galore. Want fresh produce to bring back
to the boat? From asparagus and apples, to barbecue cook-offs
and fresh baked goods, there’s a party for every taste.
The Apple and BBQ Cook-Off Festival in September
features a craft show, classic auto and truck show, dune
buggy show, beer tent, 5K Apple A Day Run/Walk, and
of course, great food.
Whether you ride the dunes, climb to the peak or build
sandcastles on the beach, at Silver Lake Sand Dunes you’re
destined to etch your own wonderful memories in the sand. H
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