• Massive desert-like sand dunes are a major tourist draw for Silver Lake and the state parks nearby.Dunes image by Olivier Poncelet from Fotolia.com
  
  Silver Lake State Park is located between Lake Michigan and the body of water Silver Lake. The dunes are one of this area's main attractions, and local businesses offer dune rides and tours. Other activities include shopping and antique shops, taking in some history at the Hart Historic District and Little Sable Point Lighthouse, or racing go-carts. Each fall, Silver Lake hosts the Apple and BBQ Cook-off Festival.
  
  

Silver Lake State Park

• Silver Lake State Park is a nearly 3,000-acre park of sand dunes and forests. The area draws tourists to its four miles of Lake Michigan beach and 450 acres of off-road vehicle trails and routes. Silver Lake State Park is in Oceana County on the state's west coast between Lake Michigan and Silver Lake. Because the dunes are located between the two lakes, the campground is on the southeast side of Silver Lake in a more wooded area. It has 200 modern campsites with electricity and modern restrooms. Other amenities at the campground include a sanitation station and water. Sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, and 13 of the lots are lakeside. The campground is a short distance from hiking trails, concessions, a Lake Michigan lighthouse and ORV trails.
  
  Silver Lake State Park
  9679 W. State Park Road
  Mears, MI 49436
  231-873-3083
  michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/
  
  

Charles Mears State Park

• Charles Mears State Park is located along the shore of Lake Michigan in Pentwater, 10 miles from Silver Lake. The 50-acre park consists of a beach and campground next to the harbor's pier. The park's main attraction is the beach and pier, and activities like swimming, sunbathing, metal detecting and fishing. A mile-long interpretive trail runs through the park. The campground consists of paved lots surrounded by sand. The campsites are best suited for RVs and camper trailers, and have hookups for electricity. Other amenities include modern restrooms, a concessions store, beach house and a playground. Visitors to Charles Mears State Park can shop and dine in the resort town of Pentwater, go to the Silver Lake dunes area, visit lighthouses or rent a charter fishing boat.
  
  Charles Mears State Park
  W. Lowell St.
  Pentwater, MI 49449
  231-869-2051
  www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/
  
  

Ludington State Park

• Ludington State Park is located between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake in Ludington, about 30 miles from Silver Lake. The 5,300-acre park is made up of sand dunes, beaches, scenic overlooks, ponds, marshes and forests. Ludington State Park has four campgrounds within its boundary. Three of the campgrounds are modern, with electricity, modern restrooms and a mini-cabin. The fourth campground, Jack Pine, is rustic, and its 10 sites are only accessible by hiking in. One of the modern campgrounds, Beechwood, has 50-amp hookups for RVs. The park has a visitor's center, boat rentals and a boat launch, hiking and biking trails, swimming beaches and a playground. Nearby Ludington is a resort town with shopping and dining opportunities.
  
  Ludington State Park
  8800 W. M-116
  Ludington, MI 49431
  231-843-2423
  www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/