What’s New in 2025 at Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan?
You’ve probably already started planning your 2025 Silver Lake Sand Dunes vacation and you don’t even know about all of the great new things we have in store for you. No worries! We have assembled a list of all of the new things you will want to do and try during your stay. Be sure to add these to your itinerary!
New Experiences at Silver Lake and Surrounding Areas
Animal Encounters at Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo has a new otter experience! Otters have been added to their popular Animal Encounters program for the 2025 season. But that’s not all. You can enjoy new food offerings, 46 attractions and activities, along with the splashpad that was a new popular addition in 2024.
Not to be Missed Rental Opportunities: E-Bikes (electric bicycles) & Mopeds
In addition to sandboard rentals, in 2025 the Silver Lake Sand Box added e-bike rentals to their offerings. Enjoy this unique new way to scout out the Silver Lake area during your next visit.
Looking to gear up for a fun day in Silver Lake? No matter the level of adventure you seek, look no further than Silver Lake Adventures for e-bike, street-legal UTVs, or sandboard rentals to create an adventure to remember that is just your speed.
Moped Rentals
Talk about fun! Imagine yourself zipping around Silver Lake in the summer sun, wind whipping through your hair, riding a moped. Ready to ride? Check out Silverback Offroad Rentals or SunChasers for moped rentals this year.
Sunset Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Tours
This year Silverback Offroad Rentals has moved to a new location at 1931 North 24th Avenue, Mears, Michigan, just around the corner from their retail store. This new location offers more space to serve your ORV rental needs. Also new this year, they are offering guided sunset cruises on the dunes.
For a little slower paced, scenic view of the dunes, Silver Lake Buggy Rentals has added a guided sunset cruise. Book this low-key, guided sunset cruise of the dunes for spectacular views and an iconic photo opportunity.
Sandboard, Bike, and Kayak Rentals
If you haven’t tried sandboarding, 2025 is your year. Head to Silver Lake Adventures, Silver Lake Sand Box or Waveclub Watersports to rent a sandboard and then head over to the designated pedestrian dune area near the state park entrance to get in on the fun.
Oceana Bike & Boat
Opened in summer of 2024, Oceana Bike & Boat is your one-stop location for bike and kayak paddle sport rentals in Oceana County. Their mission is to provide high-quality equipment and exceptional customer service. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, they have everything you need to explore the great outdoors on two wheels or in the water.
New Food and Beverage Options in 2025
Annabelle Acres Vineyard & Winery (Hart, MI)
Introduced on Mother’s Day weekend this year in Hart, Annabelle Acres Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned vineyard offering hand-crafted wines and stunning views. Relax on the patio, where a ridge-to-ridge view unfolds over a serene pond and lush vineyard. Annabelle Acres specializes in cold-climate grape wines such as Itasca, Marquette, and Frontenac, along with historic Native American varieties like Catawba and Concord. These wines are made in small batches with care, from hand-crushing and fermenting to aging on-site. Come taste the difference and experience the beauty and bounty of the vineyard!
Michigan Base Camp (Mears, MI)
New in Mears, this seasonal spot is a coffee shop that serves both breakfast and lunch, but so much more! Michigan Base Camp can set you up with parts and service for your RV, along with moped, RV, kayak, e-bike and golf cart rentals, and even a selection of Silver Lake Sand Dunes merchandise. You may even be interested in a guided Polaris Slingshot tour one of our local hidden gems. A truly unique spot with so much to offer!
Lighthouse Bar & Grill (Silver Lake, MI)
Located in the Hideaway Campground & Resort, this year they are excited to invite you to their new camp store and bigger and better Lighthouse Bar & Grill, now serving cocktails, wine, and beer. Popular proprietors of the Lighthouse Concessions Food Truck at Silver Lake State Park, this new location will serve both dine-in and take-out food all day from breakfast in the morning, lunch to dinner and hand-tossed pizzas in the evening. The camp store is conveniently stocked with all the necessities you will need during your stay. A grand reopening celebration will be held June 19 from 4-6 pm.
Silver Lake Whippy Dip (Silver Lake, MI)
This year the ever-popular Whippy Dip will host the Smoke & Barrel BBQ food truck in their parking lot. Although Sippy Joes Coffee truck won’t be here this year, the addition of this food truck is sure to become a new favorite, serving prime beef smoked in an old-fashioned barrel smoker.
The Other Place (Silver Lake, MI)
Located next to The Sandbox in Silver Lake, The Other Place opening in 2025 and will serve your favorite ice cream creations and sandwiches to fuel your day of fun in and around Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
A New Course for Disc Golfers
Great new for disc golfers! Whether or not you are camping, the Lake Michigan Family Campground welcomes you to play their new Fairway to Heaven disc golf courses. They offer an 18-hole professional course and an 18-hole family/ace course. Open annually from March through the first snowfall, typically late November in Michigan, this disc golf course even has Lake Michigan access. While you are in the area, you won’t want to miss the Hart Hydro Disc Golf Course, a fun and challenging course for people of all ages.
New & Updated Businesses
The Dune Lockers (Silver Lake, MI)
Be the first on the dunes! Located near Silver Lake Sand Dunes, a new amenity available to outdoor enthusiasts, The Dune Lockers offer climate-controlled storage condos with 24-hour access. Your deeded storage space will provide a secure spot to store your adventure gear. A great new opportunity for campers, bikers, boater, duners, snowmobilers, and other outdoor adventurers to keep their gear close to the action.
Silver Sands Hotel + Resort (Mears, MI)
Silver Sands Hotel + Resort welcomes you back with fresh new brand and newly renovated cottages by the water. Not only will you love the waterfront location of these cottages but will also be charmed by the bright and fun décor. Enjoy the dune view, heated pool, and shuffleboard at this resort that is within walking distance from all of the fun of Silver Lake. A new restaurant is also underway and will be opening in 2026.
Duneland Offroad Center (Mears, MI)
New for 2025, Duneland Offroad Center has expanded and renovated the store to offer you more space and merchandise to serve your ORV needs.
State Park Update from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
This year the Department of Natural Resources, the state agency that manages the Silver Lake State Park & Sand Dunes, announced that boaters can now launch their boats at the Silver Lake State Park day-use area and park their trailers offsite. There is no longer a requirement to have onsite parking.