Summer Dreaming: Silver Lake Sand Dunes Vacation Planning
Turn Winter Daydreams into Summer Reality
Peering out the window at the snow-covered West Michigan landscape, a deep chill sets in, and our minds wander to dreams of summer sun and fun at Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Although the new year has just begun, it is never too early to start planning for an upcoming trip to the Silver Lake & Hart Area.
You know what they say… ‘the early bird gets the worm’! In this case the ‘worm’ is the best choices for dates and accommodations for your vacation. Start planning now to lock down the details of your next Silver Lake stay.
2025 Season Planning
Silver Lake State Park opens the dunes for ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) use April 1st, 2025, and it will be here before you know it. Those in the know have already started making plans. Early season is a great time to a first exploration of the dunes for newcomers before the busy summer season. If you are a MacWood’s dune rider, their first day of the 2025 season will be May 16.
Need help planning for on and off the Michigan sand dunes? Check out the Dunes section of our website for all of your Silver Lake dune riding information. For your time off the dunes, we have created an itinerary of ideas to do in West Michigan to guide your planning for a memorable vacation.
Peak season begins June 1st, and extends through September 15th. If this is the time you have in mind, then now is the time to take a look at our Hotels, Motels, & Resorts page to secure the best spot on choice dates at our local campgrounds and hotels. Don’t delay! Spots are filling daily!
Stay in the Heart of Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Dunes Waterfront Resort overlooks beautiful Silver Lake and the remarkable sand dunes. Amenities such as private balconies and patio walk-outs make this a fun place to rest your head. The resort also features an indoor heated pool, whirlpool, game room, and private beach with dock. In-room whirlpools are also available.
Located in the heart of Silver Lake, experience the thrill and beauty of Silver Lake Sand Dunes and the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan with all the comforts of home at Sierra Sands Family Lodge. All rooms include comfortable queen-sized beds. Sierra Sands is an ideal place for family-friendly lodging or if you’re vacationing with a large group. Kids suites available!
Silver Sands Resort has 200 feet of docks on Silver Lake and a large, heated pool. The resort is located on beautiful Silver Lake and has a gorgeous view of the dunes. Accommodations available include cottage rentals, condo/suites, and motel rooms.
Stay at the “Hart” of It All
American Host Inn is new, clean, quiet, and nearby the Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park and beautiful Lake Michigan beaches. During your stay you will want to check out Downtown Hart, Colonial Golf Course, Oceana County Fairgrounds, and the Hart – Montague Bike Trail. “More than a Hotel, a Place You’re Remembered!”
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway that is located in a beautiful scenic area, then look no further than Dunes Express Inn & Suites. Featuring a large indoor pool area with hot tub and a complimentary deluxe hot breakfast is served daily.
The Last Resort originally opened in the 1950’s as the Gateway Motel and are a local family-owned and operated motel. A quiet country setting on 3 1/2 acres bordered by orchards and farmland offers a great place to relax. They are close to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Hart, bike trail.
Not located in Hart, but also nearby is the Days Inn Pentwater, located 10 miles north (about a 20-minute drive), features a heated pool, hot tub and complimentary breakfast.
Our region promises unforgettable memories for the whole family. So, start a group text, find your dates, choose your spot, and get ready for a vacation full of fun and adventure!
Calling All Campers!
The Silver Lake & Hart area is hands down one of Michigan’s most popular camping destinations for dune riding enthusiasts and families alike. You’ll find our campgrounds to be the ideal place to end a day playing in the sun. Making your reservations today and soon you will be chilling and grilling, toasting s’mores on a campfire, and make great memories.
Popular Duner Campgrounds
Val-Du Lakes Campground is a 80-site campground popular among adults who love outdoor adventure during the day and a fun spot for night life. An on-site bar and grill offer outdoor seating and a full menu, including steaks, seafood, and salads. Sit and visit with friends, enjoy the breeze, and watch some of the best sunsets in Michigan. On Friday nights duners gather for karaoke and Saturday nights for live entertainment.
Woodland Shores Resort & Campground on the shores of Lake Michigan, is home to 300+ campsites, featuring a swimming pool, playground, dog park, a private beach on the shores of Lake Michigan and many more amenities. 280-acres of woods and trails provide families with room to explore Michigan’s great outdoors. While onsite, enjoy the state-of-the-art new playground with a basketball court, shuffleboard and horseshoes along with an Olympic-size pool and club house.
Great Family Campgrounds
Dunes Harbor Family Camp Dunes Harbor Family Camp is a premier Christian Family Campground located on the shores of Lake Holiday, right down the road from the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. This campground features a camp store, ice cream shop, splash pad pool and waterslide, children’s playground, volleyball, basketball, laundry facilities, two pavilions, large athletic field, wagon rides, horseback riding, hiking trails, themed weekends and much more!
Dune Town Camp Resort is a wooded campground with 200 sites proven to be a great spot for family vacations. The kids will enjoy the heated swimming pool, fishing pond, playground, rec room, and hayrides. Plus, it’s right next to Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center and the Dune Town Mall, where there’s go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, a zip line and more.
Silver Lake Resort & Campground features 200 well-attended camp sites, a full-line store on site, and a host of amenities and activities including a heated swimming pool, fishing pond, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, playground and a pavilion for movie nights. They have built a reputation on offering an extremely clean, safe park coupled with top-notch customer service.
Other Great Family Campgrounds
- Sandy Shores Campground
- Hideaway Campground Resort
- Sun Retreats Silver Lake
- Silver Hills Campground
- Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park
- Lake Michigan Family Campground
If you are looking for a spot that is a bit more rustic for an authentic camping experience, you’ve come to the right spot!
Holiday Camping Resort offers a quiet setting with full hook-ups for RVs (Recreational Vehicles), cabin rentals, tent campsites and a group camping area. You’ll enjoy free WiFi, camp store stocked with essentials, playground, hiking trails, and recreation room. You can round up the family for a game of sand volleyball, horseshoes, or basketball, then cool off in the swimming pool. In the evenings they welcome everyone to participate in fun activities.
John Gurney Park has been a popular camping destination for over 100 years, offering shaded, grassy campsites and plenty of outdoor recreation. Enjoy bicycling, hiking, basketball, tennis, baseball, picnicking and more. The historical Park Pavilion has been brought back to life and features a beautiful Book Nook, old fashioned popcorn machine, and lots of indoor picnic tables for games and events. Just the right spot for a relaxing family getaway.
Silver Lake State Park is an almost 3,000-acre park along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This area includes both dune country and acres of mature forest. Silver Lake State Park contains more than four miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and boasts a large sandy beach. The park features: a beach, boat launch, lighthouse, ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) scramble area, picnic shelter, beach house, electrical service, modern restrooms, picnic area, and sanitation station.
Other Great Area Rustic Campgrounds
Looking forward to Seeing You in 2025!
With so many outdoor activities and things to do in West Michigan while visiting the area, Silver Lake Sand Dunes is the perfect destination for a much-needed vacation, a fun family reunion, or romantic couple’s weekend. From comfortable hotels with modern amenities to rustic wooded campsites near Michigan off-road trails, we have it all. Start planning today and soon you’ll be experiencing the thrill of dune riding, paddling across Silver Lake Michigan, or biking through lush trails of our Michigan sand dunes.