silver lake sand dunes

Getaway to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes of Michigan near Hart, Mears and Pentwater

A beach paradise! Nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan and Silver Lake you’ll find massive sand dunes, beach buggies—with the only sand dunes in Michigan where you can drive your own ORV—and miles of pristine shoreline beaches designed for pure family fun.

Encompassing the towns of Hart, Mears, and Pentwater, Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area is the perfect spot for a family vacation with miles of tree-lined bike trails, historic towns, a lighthouse and more. Spend the morning on the dunes, the afternoon in the water and finish your day in one of our charming villages for a relaxing dinner at a locally owned restaurant.

Time to come out and play at Silver Lake Sand Dunes!

    

Maps

Silver Lake Sand DunesSilver Lake Sand DunesHartMearsPentwater
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Recess - Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Recess - Silver Lake Sand Dunes
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Welcome to Silver Lake Sand Dunes. It's time to come out and play in over 2000 acres of sand dunes, miles of tree-lined bike trails and the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan.

Hart Historic District

Hart Historic District
Visit the Hart Historic District and tour a 19th Century church, one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, grist and flour mill and an antique doll collection. The church basement houses the extensive "Seymour Rider Indian Artifacts Collection."
Photo courtesy of the City of Hart

Silver Lake

Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a lake for pleasure boating and watersports—rentals available--or just relaxing on the beach. Anglers will enjoy casting a line for panfish, walleye, northern pike, crappie and bass, a few species that are caught in the lake.
Photo courtesy of Silver Lake Dunes-Hart Visitors Bureau

Pentwater

Pentwater
View boats of all types in Pentwater’s channel walkway that connects Pentwater Lake with “The Big Lake."  Discover our historic town where the marinas, restaurants, lodging, retail district, beach, state park, and village green are all close by.
Photo courtesy of Pentwater Chamber of Commerce

A View Worth the Climb

A View Worth the Climb
Bordering Lake Michigan and Silver Lake, these sand dunes consist of nearly 2,000 acres of rolling sand hills 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long. Still growing and moving, it is one of the largest deposits of living dunes on the Lake Michigan shores. Photo courtesy of Silver Lake Dunes-Hart Visitors Bureau

Drive, Ride or Walk the Dunes

Drive, Ride or Walk the Dunes
Hit the dunes on a jeep tour, dune ride or drive your own 4-wheel. Silver Lake Sand Dunes is the only place in Michigan were you can drive the dunes. Photo courtesy of Silver Lake Dunes-Hart Visitors Bureau

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Silver Lake Sand Dunes
The magnificent dunes are divided into three sections, the northern section is for off-road vehicles, the center is for hiking, walking, including Lake Michigan and Silver Lake beaches and the southern is home to Mac Woods Dune Rides. 
Photo courtesy of Silver Lake Dunes-Hart Visitors Bureau

Little Sable Point Lighthouse

Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Located in the Silver Lake State Park, this beautiful red brick lighthouse built in the late 1870's is a must see.  Climb to the top of the tower and look out over Lake Michigan and the dunes.  Photo courtesy of Silver Lake Dunes-Hart Visitors Bureau

Pentwater Beach, West Michigan

Pentwater Beach, West Michigan
The beach at Pentwater offers one of the most spectacular views in Michigan. In Pentwater enjoy fabulous restaurants, shopping, camping, on or off Lake Michigan, boating, fishing, scenic hiking trails, or just hanging out.
Photo courtesy of Pentwater Chamber of Commerce
    

Explore Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Apple & BBQ Cook-Off Festival - September 9th - 10th, 2011
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Cook-Off Festival highlighting the delicious apples of Oceana County and the Kansas City BBQ Society's State sanctioned Cook-Off. Apple & BBQ Cook-Off Festival also includes an apple pie contest, BBQ eating contest, fresh baked goods, crafts, classic vehicle show, lots of BBQ and entertainment.  All local Silver Lake Sand Dunes attractions will be open! 

Silver Lake Sand Dunes 
Between the shores of Lake Michigan and Silver Lake you’ll find 2,000 acres of sand dunes for those seeking adventure or just a relaxing day in the sun. Rev up your own 4-wheel drive vehicle and test your off-road driving skills—the only dunes East of Utah where you can drive a private motorized vehicle--permit required. Rent a jeep or take a dune ride for a guided tour, or bring a picnic lunch and spend the day hiking and sand-surfing.

Pentwater 
Pentwater has been a popular Lake Michigan summer destination since 1853. Our historic downtown is within walking distance to the pristine beach at Charles Mears State Beach. Whether you visit for a day, spend a week or the entire summer, Pentwater offers fabulous restaurants and shopping, excellent boating and fishing, scenic hiking trails, extraordinary canoeing and kayaking, and small town ambiance.

Beaches
Lay out your towel, unfold your beach chair, put your toes in the warm sand and enjoy one of our many spectacular beaches. From shallow warm-water swimming for the younger kids to Big Lake access for the older kids and adults. Young or old, a day at the beach is a treasured vacation memory.

Things To Do
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Rent a jet ski, wave runner or ski boat and explore Silver Lake the wild way! Families can rent paddleboats, pontoons, canoes and kayaks or go on a exciting dune ride. Bring your rod and reel for some great fishing---Northern Pike, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Bluegill and Perch to name a few. Bike, hike or walk the 22-mile Hart-Montague Trail through charming towns, woods, orchards and scenic overlooks, don’t forget to refuel along the way with an ice cream cone. Climb to the top of the 1870's Little Sable Point Lighthouse. And visit Hart Historic District with numerous old-time attractions and historical buildings.

Shopping 
No cookie-cutter, strip mall stores here. The Welcome sign is always hanging in our locally owned shops and boutiques. Visit Mears for Morat's Bake Shop home of the Famous Morat's muffin bread and Oceana Fruit Company for jellies, candles, children's toys and more. Leisurely browse the variety of specialty shops and boutique style Resale shops in Hart. A trip is not complete without a shopping trip to Pentwater with numerous shops, day spa, boutiques and antique stores.

Lodging
We make your stay easy and affordable with many motels and resorts, family friendly cottages and condos both on and near the water. Campers will love the wide selection of campgrounds in the area. Stay a week, month or the whole summer.

Hart 
One of Michigan's featured Beachtowns, Hart has a quaint shopping district with an excellent blend of stores and restaurants on the shores of Hart Lake. The Hart/Montague Bicycle Trail runs through the heart of town. Camp on the shores of Hart Lake at John Gurney Park. 

    
 
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