Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV Complex

Silver Lake Sand Dunes throws down 2,000 acres of wide-open sand where you can let loose without trail restrictions. These coastal dunes rise 200 feet above Lake Michigan, offering everything from gentle rolling terrain for beginners to steep-faced climbs that’ll challenge built rigs. The Bowl area tests technical skills with its amphitheater-like depression, while the back dunes toward Little Sable Point provide endless exploration opportunities through shifting sand landscapes.

Easy to expert difficulty depending where you point your wheels — family-friendly areas exist alongside gnarly climbs that demand lockers and paddle tires. Any vehicle works in the flats, but serious dune running needs 4WD, aired-down tires, and ideally sand-specific rubber. Entry fees required at the state park. Best May through September when conditions are driest. You’ll find Michigan’s most concentrated off-road playground plus excellent camping at the adjacent state park.