Trail Review: Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Silver Lake, MI

[jolivergraham]

Hi Everyone.
Thanks for helping out with all the reviews. So far so good.
I know Silver Lake can be a hassle to get to, including driving around Lake Michigan, or taking the ferry which can be Expensive.

Please reply with your thoughts about this location as it pertains to trail rides. Thanks again!

http://www.silverlakesanddunes.com/

[jolivergraham]

Joe, what ever happened to your friend (6.0) Did he ever take this trip? Get him on the forum, we need a write-up!

[89eliminator]

went there this weekend. we took the lake express ferry and that is the way to go. 2.5 hour trip across the lake, and its about an hour away from the dunes. its the ONLY way i would go again.

for the dunes. if you have the right setup it can be a lot of fun. my truck did alright, but i dont have enough power to keep the wheel speed up to make some of the hills. it was still fun watching the high dollar dune buggies rip around and jump the hills.

[Jesse-James]

What did it cost to take the ferry?

[95Pathfinder]

2.5 hour trip across the lake, and its about an hour away from the dunes. its the ONLY way i would go again.

Yep,
time is money and traffic sucks!

you take the S.S. Badger?

We are going sometime in August
http://www.ssbadger.com/newhome.aspx

[outalne94z71]

What did it cost to take the ferry?

i know its not cheap if you have to trailer your rig

the damage inc guys usually go the route of the ferry and all their rigs are towed

[95Pathfinder]

Passengers (Vehicle fares not included)


ONE WAY ROUND TRIP
Adult $62 $105
Seniors (65+) $57 $95
Children (5-15**) $27 $44
Children under 5 FREE FREE
*Undecided about your return date? Save your one-way receipt and we will gladly give you the round trip discount anytime during the 2008 sailing season.
**Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autos, Vans & Pickups (Passenger fares not included)

EACH WAY
Autos, Vans, SUVs, Pickups
$65
Vehicle Extensions $3.95/ft.
Trailers
Up to 7' wide and 10' long $39.50
Over 10' long $3.95/ft.
7' - 8'6" wide & 10' long $49.50
Over 10' long $4.95/ft.

[89eliminator]

we took the lake express out of milwaukee. it take 2.5 hours and drops you off in Muskegon. its another hour north till the dunes.

it was $250 for 1 person and 1 vehicle round trip. yeah its kind of a lot, but the amount of money spent on gas plus the actual time it would take to drive around lake michigan makes it worth it.

[95Pathfinder]

Badger drops you off in Ludington (an hour north of Muskegon)

same 2.5 hour boat trip.
(Either ferry; it is the only way I'll go to the Dunes)

[Hank]

What do you want to know? I've been there. It's not a place to trail ride. It's more of an open park to bomb around in. It is fun playing follow the leader through the trees though. I don't think I have EVER been on a trip where I used my winch more. We had a BLAST.

[jolivergraham]

Hey All, it just got a LITTLE easier to get over to Michigan and the dunes. The Milwaukee ferry now allows kids to ride free again this summer. FYI.

Milwaukee ferry launches new season with new deals

The Milwaukee-based Lake Express ferry has opened its 2010 season by offering two ‘ride-free’ deals aimed at providing low-cost travel options for patrons. Kids ride free and a new motorcycles ride free offer will also be available.
“Travelers are just as cost-conscious now as they were last year, and this is our way of continuing to help them through these tough economic times,” said Ken Szallai, president of Lake Express. “The ‘kids ride free’ travel deal was a big help to our riders last year, more than any of us had expected. We’re happy to bring it back this year, along with the new deal for those traveling on motorcycles.”
The ‘kids ride free’ travel deal allows children under age 17 to ride the ferry for free when accompanied by an adult. It applies only to trips booked before the ferry’s official launch on April 30.
Passengers can also bring their motorcycles onboard this year for no extra charge until June 30.
Lake Express also launched a new online reservation system this season that will make it easier for patrons to purchase and alther their reservations through its website at www.lake-express.com.

[FineWynsFJ40]

I grew up 12 minutes from the entrance to the Silver Lake sand dunes, and even worked as a mechanic for Mac Woods Dune Rides a couple summers ago. If you're coming from Madison or Milwaukee, take the Lake Express. If you're coming from the north, take the Badger. The Badger is slightly cheaper in the long run, albeit 1.5 hours slower. If anyone wants info on places to stay, what to do, etc. on this area, give me a shout and I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Brian