Experience Silver Lake on Horseback

horseback riders at Silver Lake SP (photo from the Michigan DNR)

a news release of Michigan DNR

Experience Silver Lake State Park on horseback! As part of an ongoing effort to expand year-round recreation at Silver Lake, a shoreline horseback riding season takes place annually Nov. 1-30 (except Thanksgiving). This is at Silver Lake State Park, Oceana County, Michigan.

Equestrians can ride a predetermined route along Lake Michigan. A staging area, open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is available.

Reservations open Sept. 1 at 8 a.m. at MiDNRReservations.com (use the equestrian tab and staging area filter) or call 1-800-447-2757. The cost is $10 per horse per day, with 125 slots available daily.


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Silver Lake State Park to Open First Ever Fat Tire Bike Season

Events Calendar

fat tire bikes on dunes (photo from the MDNR)

a news release of the Michigan DNR

An all-new fat-tire biking season will take place at Silver Lake ORV Area Dec. 15-March 15 from 8 a.m. to dusk each day. Riders will enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes. Silver Lake State Park is located at Mears, Michigan.

Rules and tips
• The annual fat-tire biking season takes place Dec. 15-March 15 from 8 a.m. to dusk. Park in pedestrian parking lot at 8890 West Shore Dr., Mears, Mich.
• Open riding is permitted within the boundaries of the designated 450-acre ORV area. Please do not enter the area utilized by Mac Woods. View map.
• Riders must enter the dunes using the down ramp of the ORV area.
• No e-bikes allowed.
• No reservations or preregistration are required.
• A valid Recreation Passport required on all vehicles entering the parking lot. A self-pay station is available at the ORV Area parking lot entrance.
• Alcohol is prohibited.
• No drinking water is available. Please plan accordingly.
• Vault toilets (or outhouses) are located in the parking lot and in the dunes.
• There is limited refuse service provided for trash.
• Gates will open every day regardless of conditions and it is the visitor’s discretion to enter the dunes.
• Riders are asked to call 911 in case of an emergency.

The dunes are an everchanging environment. Drifts and freezing conditions can drastically change the landscape overnight.

See map of area open to fat tire bikes. a pdf


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Meteors & S'mores at Nearby State Parks

Silver Lake dunes (photo by jhy)

from a news release of the Michigan DNR

Many Michigan State Parks are inviting residents to grab their blankets and head to participating Michigan state parks Aug. 9-16 to enjoy one of the biggest and most visible astronomical events of the year: the Perseid meteor shower.

These parks are staying open late and offering "Meteors & S'mores" events in honor of this natural light show. Many of these events feature astronomy presentations, as well as - you guessed it - s'mores.

In West Michigan:
• Tuesday Aug 12, Silver Lake State Park (Oceana County), 9 p.m. (meet at dune pedestrian lot)
• Tuesday Aug 12, Wilderness State Park (Emmet County), 9 p.m. (meet at amphitheater)

• Wednesday Aug 13, Young State Park (Charlevoix County), 10 p.m. (meet at park baseball field across from loop 4)

There is no charge to attend Meteors & S'mores, but a Recreation Passport is required for any vehicle entering a Michigan state park.

For the full list of 22 locations follow the link above.

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