ORV & Access Information
Vehicle Prep & Dune Access
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park ORV Area open season runs 7 days a week from April 1–October 31st. Season hours April-May 1 are 9:00am-8:00pm (May 1st–September 15th) are 9:ooam–10:00pm daily; and Late Season hours are (September 15th–Oct 31st ) 9:00am–8:00pm daily.
All you need are the ORV permits & passport in the photo to the right, all can be bought at the DNR ORV Welcome Center 8505 W Fox Rd. 49436. Also an 8ft dune safety flag, mounted to be 10 ft off the ground. These flags can be purchased at Duneland Off Road Center right out side the ORV entrance.
Quick Links:
ORV SCRAMBLE AREA MAP & TIPS (PDF)
DUNE REGIONS IN SILVER LAKE (PDF)
PERMIT & VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS (PDF)
VEHICLE FAQ & PARKING REQUIREMENTS (PDF)
DUNE PARKING & PARKING VOUCHERS (PDF)
Dune Rules
The Silver Lake State Park ORV area has adopted new rules that apply to Sound Levels and Testing, the Voucher System, and Operators and Licensing and Training Requirements (see below). Entry into the ORV area will be denied for vehicles not meeting these standards. A complete list of current rules and regulations is available from the Michigan DNR website.
Sound Level Rules and Testing
A static or stationary sound level test will be performed on all types of ORVs. Noise levels will be checked from a 20-inch distance from the exhaust pipe at half the vehicle’s rated RPM or as detailed in the automotive specs SAE J1169, March 92 or SAE J1287, June 86. The maximum noise level permitted under these conditions is 94 dBa, which is the current limit set by the Off-Road Recreation Vehicles Act of Part 811 of 1994 PA 451. All vehicles are required to have a muffler and spark arrester. Mufflers must contain baffles that can be confirmed by inserting a flexible, plastic rod.
Generally speaking, the guidelines for testing at “half the rate RPM” will be based on some vehicle similarities. In most cases, full-sized vehicles with “V” configured engines will be tested at 2,500 RPM and all others at 2,000 RPM. Most reverse flow mufflers will meet the spark arrester requirements as will most turbochargers. However, straight-through mufflers, such as glass-pack designs without baffles and mechanically driven superchargers do not qualify as adequate spark arresters.
Motorcycles and ATVs will be tested like full-sized vehicles by placing a sound meter at a forty-five-degree angle, 20 inches from the muffler exhaust pipe. In most cases, 80 cc engines will be tested at 6,000 RPM, 125 cc at 5,000 RPM, 250 cc at 4,000 RPM, and 500+ cc at 3,000 – 3,500 RPM. The Motorcycle Industry Council produces a manual detailing the standards ATVs and motorcycles must meet. A muffler that meets Environmental Acoustic Reduction (E.A.R.) standards may be considered as a viable solution for motorcycles. Most ATVs with unaltered, factory-equipped exhaust systems, which have been properly maintained, will meet the requirements. Those vehicles that have been manufactured for “closed track” use only, such as many motocross or “dirt-bike” motorcycles, will most likely not meet the requirements. This is also often true where after-market installations have altered the original exhaust system in attempts to gain additional horsepower.
Operators’ Licensing and Training Requirements
Vehicle operators will be required to have a valid driver’s license, except for riders 12 years of age or older who possess a valid ORV Safety Certificate. Under 12 years old may not operate an ORV/ATV in Silver Lake State Park. These riders 12-16 may only operate ATVs and motorcycles as the training certificate specifies, and they must be under direct supervision of a parent or adult guardian. Driver’s license or ORV Safety Training certification must be presented upon demand. Children under 12 may ride in ORV’s as passengers.
Only one person is allowed to ride on an ATV-4 wheel vehicle or dirt bike