Silver Lake Sand Dunes - July 5 - July 12, 2025

I will be up at Silver Lake Sand Dunes with a group of people with a mix of toys (trucks, dirt bikes, ATV's, etc) for a week starting 7/5/2025.

If anyone is "dune curious" and would like to give this a shot I would be happy to help out. I will be up for the week. Would be happy to give advice to folks on getting in/out, stickers, flags, general dune etiquitte/riding not to get yourself into trouble, etc.

There are also nearby single track trails in Baldwin and Evart that you can check out. I may be planning rides on those trails as well...will post up planned dates as the event gets closer.

Anyway, if you want to give this a shot and would like to meetup while you are up there, join in.

You need the following to ride in the dunes:
- Dune Flag - $40
- Dune Flag Mount - $5-$10 - There are multiple types, I use an axle mount that is cheap and easy to put on.
- Paddle Tire - Optional. Its easier on the bike with a paddle, but I have ridden without one with no problems with my KTM 300's or other capable bikes (see below).
- State Park/Dune Passes (state of Michigan issued) - You can get day passes or annual passes for Michigan trails. I forget pricing - probably around 10 for the day and 35 for annual for a dirt bike. You will also need a state park sticker for your truck for the parking lot at the dunes. If you want to take your truck in, it will also need a full battery of stickers and its own flag. Cost more, but is the easiest way to do it if you have a pickup or a hitch rack. Trailers are not allowed into the dunes, only into parking lots.
- Capable Bike - Here is where things get interesting. Lower powered 4 strokes tend to overheat. I have been successful on 2 stroke KTM 200, 250, 300's there. They do great. My friends KTM 525 is a beast and does great, however, my buddy's KTM 350 on a knobby would be overheating, but he also couldn't keep the speed up. I did a Husaberg (KTM XCW equivalent) 250 and it great. Forget about any lower powered japanese dual sport trail bikes - WR 250, etc. They can't cut it there and just overheat from what I have seen. No problem on MX bikes. I have seen 125 2 strokes out there, but not sure how they do.

Parking in the dunes parking lots is interesting with vouchers, etc on busy weekends, but simple during the week. You can of course drive right into the dunes with your bike in the bed of a pickup or on a trailer hitch. Air down the tires to 15 psi, put it in 4wd, and cruise right in. You will need stickers and flag for the car for that as well (less stickers for just the parking lot).