Silver Lake State Park

Silver Lake State Park Silver Lake State Park is almost 3,000-acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
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This summer, we may be reaching out to you for input. We are partnering with Michigan State University to conduct a visi...
05/29/2026

This summer, we may be reaching out to you for input. We are partnering with Michigan State University to conduct a visitor-use management study at Silver Lake ORV Area. This on-site study will gather data to guide the future management, making a sustainable and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you are selected, we’d appreciate your participation. Thanks! To learn more, visit the link in the comments.

***Reminder for visitors who need to get a Parking Lot Voucher – Memorial Day Weekend***Due to the anticipated traffic v...
05/16/2026

***Reminder for visitors who need to get a Parking Lot Voucher – Memorial Day Weekend***
Due to the anticipated traffic volume for the upcoming holiday weekend, the Welcome Center gates will be opened at 3:00 AM on Friday morning (05/22/2025) to allow traffic to park and wait until vouchers are distributed at 8:00 AM. Vouchers will be available for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (as Monday is the holiday).
All rules and regulations for the Welcome Center will remain in effect during the earlier operating hours. Posted rules and regulations include but are not limited to the following:
- No unattended vehicles
- Alcohol is prohibited
- Quiet hours are in effect
- Pets must be always leashed
- Restrooms are available on site
Violators are subject to court citation and minimum 48-hour eviction from the park which will forfeit their ability to obtain a parking voucher. Park Officers will be actively patrolling for violations to ensure compliance, guest safety, and no disruptions to surrounding community and property owners.
There will be no permit sales from 3:00AM - 8:00AM
This 3:00 am staging process is ONLY for the holiday weekends when visitors tend to show up extra early to line up early to get a voucher.

***Reminder for Friday, May 8 – Parking Lot Voucher Handout Begins***On Friday, May 8 we will begin handing out vouchers...
05/04/2026

***Reminder for Friday, May 8 – Parking Lot Voucher Handout Begins***
On Friday, May 8 we will begin handing out vouchers for the weekend of Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Parking Lot Vouchers are not required for Friday, May 8.
Distribution time begins at 8:00 am on Friday. The Welcome Center gates will open at 7:30 am for staging, please do not arrive before this time as vehicles are not allowed to line up and sit on area roadways.
As in the past, voucher limits are one per adult person and a maximum of four per vehicle. Make sure you have the license plate number of the tow vehicle the voucher is to be used for so you can fill it out and get it validated when you receive it. You can still get a voucher for someone else by adhering to the limits mentioned above but make sure you have their license plate number to write on the voucher so we can stamp it with a validation stamp.
Blank vouchers without plate numbers and validation stamp are not valid. Vouchers can be displayed as a rear-view mirror hang tag or on the dash of the vehicle.

The infographic for the 2026 ORV season is here. The permit requirements for vehicles has not changed in many years but...
03/26/2026

The infographic for the 2026 ORV season is here. The permit requirements for vehicles has not changed in many years but note that several of the fees to purchase a Recreation Passport increased $1.00. The flow chart shows what permits and licenses are needed to ride the dunes. Visit Michigan.gov/SilverLake for this information

02/02/2026

Thank you to all who helped develop the General Management Plan for Silver Lake State Park. This plan was a very large project the included meetings with various staff from many Department divisions, local government agencies, stakeholders, and public meetings. Our online public survey had many more responses than any other state park. Our goal is to update park management plans approximately every 10 years. The previous plan was approved in 2012.

Click on the link to view the General Management Plan.

09/25/2025

Riding the dunes is exciting, but safety always comes first. If you’re heading to Silver Lake to ride the dunes, remember these Ride Right safety tips:
✔️Keep your head on a swivel—watch all directions.
✔️Stay situationally aware of hazards and other riders.
✔️Know what’s beyond the crest before you go over a hill.
✔️Operate within your skill level and your vehicle’s limits.
✔️Control your speed and keep your wheels on the ground.
✔️Park only in visible, 360-degree safe spots.
✔️Don’t “show off” for spectators.
✔️Stay inside your vehicle while riding.
✔️Watch for fatigue—most crashes happen later in the day.

Let’s keep the dunes safe, fun, and open for everyone. Ride Right, Silver Lake!

***Reminder – Parking Lot Vouchers Not in Effect***Parking Lot Vouchers are not required for weekends after Sunday, Sept...
09/10/2025

***Reminder – Parking Lot Vouchers Not in Effect***
Parking Lot Vouchers are not required for weekends after Sunday, September 7 this season.
Parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis until both the Main ORV Area Parking Lot and Welcome Center Overflow Lot are full. Once full, users would need to wait on Stand-By until a parking space becomes available in either lot.
Reminder: Please park responsibly. Parking lot spaces in both lots are estimated to be 12 feet wide. Keeping the distance between your trailer and your neighbor’s trailer to a minimum allows more users to park and enjoy the dunes. Parking the rear of your vehicle or trailer hitch as close to the white marked line as possible will allow for more parking spaces to be utilized, shorter wait times and a clear lane of travel for vehicles to enter and exit the lot.

***Reminder for ORV Area Operating Hours***Night riding within the ORV Area is only permitted until 9:30pm, when staff w...
09/06/2025

***Reminder for ORV Area Operating Hours***
Night riding within the ORV Area is only permitted until 9:30pm, when staff will begin closing the ORV Area. Users and trailers must be out of both the Main Parking Lot and Welcome Center Parking Lots by 10:00pm. Operation past this time is prohibited and may be subject to ticket or eviction. A working headlight and taillight is required on all ORVs operating in the ORV Area beginning 30 minutes prior to sunset.
The ORV Area is open from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (9:30 pm to clear the dunes) through September 15.

***ORV AREA AND WELCOME CENTER PARKING LOTS FULL***Saturday, August 30, 2025, 1:50 PM. Both the main ORV Area Parking Lo...
08/30/2025

***ORV AREA AND WELCOME CENTER PARKING LOTS FULL***
Saturday, August 30, 2025, 1:50 PM. Both the main ORV Area Parking Lot and the Welcome Center Parking Lot are full.
We are currently issuing Stand-By Parking Lot Vouchers at the Welcome Center as spaces become available.
Wait times for obtaining a parking lot space today will be lengthy and could range from 30 minutes to several hours based on parking space availability.
To obtain a Stand-By Parking Lot Voucher, you must sign up on the Standby List available at the Welcome Center. Be advised that signing up on the Stand-By List does not guarantee entry, as parking is limited and subject to availability.
Please note that vehicles with trailers will be turned away once the Stand-By parking area has reached capacity.
Reminder: Please park responsibly. Parking lot spaces in both lots are estimated to be 12 feet wide. Keeping the distance between your trailer and your neighbor’s trailer to a minimum allows more users to park and enjoy the dunes. Parking the rear of your vehicle or trailer hitch as close to the white marked line will allow for more parking spaces to be utilized and shorter wait times.

***Reminder for visitors who need to get a Parking Lot Voucher – Labor Day Weekend***Due to the anticipated traffic volu...
08/25/2025

***Reminder for visitors who need to get a Parking Lot Voucher – Labor Day Weekend***
Due to the anticipated traffic volume for the upcoming holiday weekend, the Welcome Center gates will be opened at 3:00 AM on Friday morning (08/29/2025) to allow traffic to park and wait until vouchers are distributed at 8:00 AM. Vouchers will be available for Saturday, Sunday and Monday (as Monday is the holiday).
All rules and regulations for the Welcome Center will remain in effect during the earlier operating hours. Posted rules and regulations include but are not limited to the following:
- No unattended vehicles
- Alcohol is prohibited
- Quiet hours are in effect
- Pets must be always leashed
- Restrooms are available on site
Violators are subject to court citation and minimum 48-hour eviction from the park which will forfeit their ability to obtain a parking voucher. Park Officers will be actively patrolling for violations to ensure compliance, guest safety, and no disruptions to surrounding community and property owners.
There will be no permit sales from 3:00AM - 8:00AM.
This 3:00 am staging process is ONLY for the holiday weekends when visitors tend to show up extra early to line up early to get a voucher.

Address

9679 W State Park Road
Mears, MI
49436

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10pm
Tuesday 8am - 10pm
Wednesday 8am - 10pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am - 10pm
Sunday 8am - 10pm

Telephone

+12318733083

Website

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